The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-10-13
AN Aston PEDIGREE.

The English Press continues to
ridicule the genealogical history Of the
Aston family. as 1t Is now publicly
presented to the world by Mr.. Waldorf
Astor.
Having inherited one OF the great
fortunes OF the century, Mr.. Aston un-
dertook to show that he also inherited
fine pedigree. He paid for an elabor-
ate Investigation and the kindly in
vestigator ran him back to one Pedro
D'Astorga, who lived in 1885. and was
granted by Spanish Queen the arms
OF a falcon argent on a gloved hand"
The inventive investigation continued
his line through the centuries, down to
John Jacob Aston. who was born In
1868, emigrated to America and mar
ried Sarah Todd. name neither Span
ish or aristocratic. Having posted up
this remarkably long pedigree before
the British public, the noted genealo-
gist Lathrop Wilmington looked at it,,
carefully examined 1t. and declares that
there was the falsifying Of a date in
the record, and that MIR. Aston has no
illustrious ancestors, unless he can
pick one of the branches of the pie
beian Todd family tree. Moreover 1t
Is shown that the father OF John Jacob
Aston was butcher, and not chival-
rcus party, plumed and riding pranc-
ing horse.
In publishing his pedigree. Mr.. As
tor has only followed the example OF
his own countrymen. who have with
in the last few years, published in
Vulnerable books containing their
pedigrees. And some OF these pedisrees
ere worthy Of being preserved. HE
who boasteth Of his ancestors, boasteth
OF what he owes to others"
Mr.. Aston has failed, however, in
producing evidence OF blue blood in his
veins. and he must continue to bear
the burden which his fortunate an
cestor cast upon him of wearing a coat
of arms, on which Is field argent,
with the figure OF white man selling
bottle OF whiskey to an Indian.
Mr.. Aston is condemned because he
has abandoned his American citizen
ship and become an English citizen.
No one can criticise him any more
than he can crticise a number Of in
teiligent and reputable American citi-
gems who abandoned their homes In
America. 1.-The land OF the free, etc"
abandoned the Flag. settled here and
swore allegiance to Hawaii. To be
sure it was said that they did not
abandon their allegiance to the United
States. But the United States knows
no straddling patriotism, which, like
the circus athlete, rides two horses at
the same time.
Mr.. Astor changed his allegiance be-
cause II was for his advantage to do
so. He had conscientiously walked into
the muddy waters OF political life In
New York city. because he believed
that II was the duty of the men OF
wealth to devote themselves to public
affairs. Those who saw him receiving
in the parlors OF his fine residence on
Firth avenue inpumerable delegations
Of the boys" who filed In and demand.
ed money for the organization of AS
tor clubs" knew the bitterness OF his
experience, the costliness of his exper-
iment, and the indifference OF the
respectable citizens In political affairs.
When he came out OF the muddy
waters, he scrubbed and washed him
self. and abandoned political life for
ever, as, unfortunately, so many OF the
most promising and capable men OF
| America refuse TO enter II. because II
means the loss Of tranquil and re-
fined life. and the standing Of q sensi-
tive man out In the open spaces, with
u crowd Of blackguards bawling a,
him.
Mr., Aston should have shown a NOR,
abiding faith In the destiny Of his own
country, aud, outside Of political work
he could have done vas, coed In N,
preparation aud makins of good Ell,
leDs, Who, IN the times 10 come soult
not train with the "boys' he Lost hi,
faith In the magnificent destiny Of hi,
country ana easls bis lot with a socla
class IN EDslaod, which, IN 10 wealth
power and in,sllissnos Is, from
worldly paint u view, the highest N
the world