Year: 1868




Mr.. EDITOR In my last oommuni-
cation, 1 endeavored to point out, in
a good natured way, some ofthe Pecu-
liarities belonging to the American
character and to human nature in
general. In this 1 wish to speak of a
like folly exhibited on another sub
Iject.-The errors our people commit
in social life result chiefly from lack
Ofa clear perception Of the object of
mans existence in the world from a
dissatisfaction with themselves and a
desire to-appear what they are not
and from a native reluctance to act
according to their convictions Of right
and duty, in the very face, if need be,
of a sneering public. And it does
require no small degree of courage to
be man, when a large majority
enough at least, to form public Opin-
.ion-of those about you have merely
some foolish notions about style, not a
single definite idea Of what true, gen


uine manhood consists. No wonder,
then, that so many ofthe young men
of the country are becoming mere
drivelers, possessing no higher aspi-
rations than a cane, plug hat, a
cigar, and the other accouterments of
the dandy.


To Aristocracy, in the legitimate
use of that much abused word, no one
can object. In its liberal meaning, it
signifies "the rule of the best" and
applies with more propriety to socie-
ty in Republics than in any other
form of government. Surely, every
one will admit that if any class is al
lowed to give tone to society and to
mould public opinion, it ought to be
the best.


The only question to be considered,
then, is, what constitutes one a mem
Der of this class? Upon this subject,
there are many queer and ridiculous
notions. Some think that if the blood
of an honorable ancestry flows in
ones veins, this alone ought to grant
him admittance. Now, that there is
something in blood cannot be denied.
We admit the truth of the PROPOSE
ton when applied to stock why may
it not also be true when applied to
man? There are families, who by
generations Of superior culture, and
advantages which in the beginning
were, perhaps, the result of accident,
have risen above others who have
not had equal advantages, nor yet
have properly used even those they
did possess. This ought to be worth
to them its full value, no more. There
should be still an open field to all.
He who is high-born begins life with
the superiority over him Of humber
birth, but this gives him no rights
which the other should be denied. 1t
is only an extra talent to be put upon
usury. If among the lowly there is
born one who, stirred by a spirit with
in he cannot understand, and made to
burn with a restless desire to rise up
ward, far outstrips his more highly
favored competitor in the race of life,
and presents to the world the nobler
character, why is he not preferred be-
fore the other? There is royal blood
in him, too. 1t is a Godlike attribute;
a modicum of which was breathed
into man along with the breath of
life, and cannot be suppressed, but
will exhibit itself when, where, and in
way we least expect. They who form
classes, and by their exclusiveness
attempt to crush this spirit out, or
failing to do that, what is worse, sue
ceed in turning the heart in which
it stirs into a bitter fountain, whose
poisoned waters are poured upon the
race, have terrible crime for which
to answer.


There is another class Of persons
more numerous and more contempti
BILE than the former, and whose ideas
and influence are becoming alarming
Iy prevalent, who claim that a0eaJtb
makes the best. Hence the scramble
for money; in their eagerness to OBJ
tain which, they sacrifice honor, hap
piness and every virtue of the human
heart; and'prostitute to the base pur-
pose the trades, professions, all hon
orable pursuits oflife, and ever pol
Lutte the very sanctuary itself. And
should they succeed in becoming rich,
they can only hope to be petroleum
Arlstocracy.


ga thing for and eers American Aristocrscy"
Such men know not, and therefore
cannot teach their children, the true
aims of life. These grow up in idle
ness and put on airs; and did they
not assume so much, they would |
command pity for their weakness.
Their ideal of Aristocracy is to
wear good clothes and do nothing. |
This will account, perhaps, for the
large number of loafers on the street



The pursuit of wealth is honorable,
and will continue to be, as it has ever
been, one of the greatest incentives to
action; but it ought to be pursued as
a means, not as an end. When hon
or and honesty are preserved, and
noble purposes are kept in view, the
pursuit of it is ennobling to both