Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-05-01
rITLes OF PLAIN AMERICANS.
PROFESSORS, COLONIES AND JUDGES
MADE AT wILL.--sTATE or
THINGS IN MISSOURI.

There has been some complaint In the
papers lately Of the indiscriminate use 10
this country Of the title professor, and
tho newspapers should take every occa-
sion to condemn that and every other
form Of frill 10 these free and equal
| United States on the subject OF titles.
We have 10 this great republic no heredi-
tary titles, fixed by Law, custom and I'M
perial usage. A man may give hlmself
title, or = greater or less number Of his
| fellow-citizens with headquarters ut the
livery stable, or the blacksmith shop, or
the corner grocery may give Il to him.
II title were something Inherited, - Il
10 In some countries, Il would amount to
property and any man might be protect
ed In Its enjoyment. II an American
colonel or Judge could show that the
title had been In bis family since the
middle ages, being originally conferred
by william the Bow-legged or John the
Cross-eyed, he would rightfully claim
the title for himself, but he cannot. Il
therefore makes no real difference
whether he Il called colonel or judge or
nothing at all. He may be called colonel
because he has actually held that rank
In the regulars, volunteers or militia, or
because he has held some other military
rank, or he may be called Judge because
he has been justice OF the Supreme
Court or q justice OF the peace, or be-
cause he is elderly and portly and his
clothes do not fit him, but It really does
not signify.
In default Of any laws or regulations,
the "salus populi" Of the Missouri coat
of-arms should be permitted to govern.
The people who are supposed to rule
here have agreed upon certain scale or
system of titles. Il IL not quite as pre-
else a. the rule which formerly prevailed
In Demerara In South America, where
every man who wore shoes was called
esquire" bat II IL sufficiently definite.
The rule about colonel and squire has
already been set forth. IL should be add
ed that where military titles are given
on account Of service In the volunteers,
no grade Is conferred under captain.
Nou-commissioned officers and lieuten-
ants are promoted to captain. The grade
of lleutenant-colonel IL not preserved.
All field officers are called colonel II not
general. All men school teachers Of fair
character and attachments are entitled TO
the decoration Of professor. So are all
persons who profess to live by some pro-
fessional pursuit, - the violin, corn
curing, horse doctoring, and other
branches Of the healing art not covered
by m. D." Reverend applies TO most
persons connected with religion, who are
entitled under the statute to perform the
ceremony Of marriage. The lower or
commoner order Of reverends Is known
by the non-use of the title Mister"
As REV. Dobbs," "Rev. Hobbs" and
30 on.
Americans are also endowed with titles
which are intended only for local pur-
poses, such as those conferred by secret
societies and orders. Sir knight Jero-
bosm, the son Of Neba;. Is called that
only when In the Cave of Adullam, or
when, In the full Of the moon, he Is jour
neying with his companions to the
shrine Of Timbuctoo. These innumer-
able titles have no general or public sig
nificsnce. and are not governed by the
public will a. colonel, judge, squire,
professor and the like.-Kansss City
Star.