No. V.
This mournful truth is every where confess'd,
_Slow rises worth, by poverty depress'd._
Dr. Johnson.
Numerous and important are the boasted advantages of our free
government. Men and things are professedly estimated, in this
region of sturdy republicanism, in exact accordance with their true
character. Our just and beautiful theories inculcate the doctrine,
that VIRTUE and TALENT are the only proper grounds of distinction
in society; and if this were faithfully illustrated in practice,
merit would not be opposed by serious obstacles, in emerging from
obscurity. If such a desirable state of things were realized,
how rapidly would our country advance in prosperity! Monarchical
institutions, which sanction the hereditary descent of RANK and
DISTINCTION, would contrast very unpleasantly with those which are
bottomed on the cardinal principle, that all men are by NATURE
CREATED EQUAL. It becomes us therefore to inquire, whether the
fancied superiority, which in relation to this subject, we arrogate
to ourselves, be in reality any thing but in name.
In prosecuting this inquiry, let personal observation, and
personal experience, be candidly consulted. If we have voluntarily
substituted, for what in other countries results from the exercise
of despotic power, an idol of our own creation, and bow to it with
the same deference and fealty, what becomes of our claim to the
title of independence? The effect of such a deception will be no
less productive of mental and moral degradation, than if the laws
of the land had authorized the establishment of PRIVILEGED ORDERS.
The real republican character is particularly distinguished by its
simplicity. The inroads of luxury, and the inordinate influence of
wealth, are anxiously to be deprecated, as destructive to rational
liberty. Titles of nobility are not within our reach; but the
glitter of wealth may equally awaken our ambition, and monopolize
our attention. Here there is danger, against the approach of which
it is the part of prudence and of wisdom to be vigilant.
When an individual is supposed to be affluent, have we ever known
his merit to be unjustly overlooked or disregarded? Are not riches
uniformly invested with the magic power of extenuating the faults,
and magnifying the good qualities of their possessor? The answers
to these questions will at once be given without hesitation,
For virtue, glory, beauty, all divine
And human powers, immortal Gold! are thine.
The complexion of society in Philadelphia, is considered, in many
respects, of that chastened and respectable character, which is well
becoming the nature of our institutions. Our metropolis has always
been distinguished for _Benevolence_, of which, as well as of other
good qualities, honourable mention might be made. But indiscriminate
approbation must be withheld, if we maintain our allegiance to
truth. There is in this city an aristocracy of wealth, which has a
withering and destructive effect on the best interests of social
life.--Wealth, in certain circles, is considered an indispensable
recommendation; and perhaps in some instances, the only one its
possessor is required to prefer! It is not pretended, that this
golden qualification should be contemned in the abstract; for,
when not abused, it furnishes the means not only of procuring many
valuable and rational gratifications, but of extensive utility to
others. But we err egregiously, in permitting it to supplant, in our
estimation, the only distinctions of real value;--those which have
been indicated above. Such a blind devotion to its charms, casts
a reflection upon our character for good sense, equally just and
severe with that which properly belongs to a retailer of the stale
and pointless bon-mots of monarchs, for wit, merely because they
issue from the fountain of royalty. This slavish subserviency, is
altogether unworthy of freemen; they must, if true to themselves,
discard the influence of PRIVILEGED ORDERS, and view things as they
really are.--Many an individual, who now fills a large space in the
public eye, would, if overtaken by adversity, scarcely be discerned
at all without the aid of a microscope. He would, when deserted by
prosperity, return to his native insignificance, and assume his
proper station in life.
Our conduct to all men should be friendly and decorous, but to those
who are struggling with adverse circumstances, and who possess
sterling recommendations to our notice, it should be zealously
and liberally extended. The great man, to whom we are indebted
for our motto, knew what it was to be beset by those potent
adversaries,--griping poverty, and chilling neglect. He concluded
one of his letters to CAVE, the editor of the Gentleman's Magazine,
in these remarkable words, "I am yours IMPRANSUS." If by this he
intended to convey the idea, that he was fasting because he had
not the means of procuring a dinner, what a melancholy reflection
does it suggest to the mind. Even Lord CHESTERFIELD himself, whose
delicate nerves were so dreadfully shocked by the "_savageness_"
of JOHNSON, had he been acquainted with the circumstance, and
foreseen his future celebrity, would have hastened to his relief.
Who that beheld Dr. FRANKLIN, in the garb of a printer's boy,
walking up Market Street, eating one of his rolls of bread, and
carrying the other under his arm, could have believed, that at a
future period he would become one of the most celebrated men of the
age. So deceptive are external appearances, and so irresistible
must be the conclusion, that VIRTUE and TALENT are not excluded
from the humblest walks of life.--Hence the folly and injustice of
establishing PRIVILEGED ORDERS.
So long ago as the days of HORACE, the seductive power of gold
was considered as directly hostile to the cause of virtue. The
following lines are extracted from his ode to his friend SALLUST, as
translated by Dr. FRANCIS.
Virtue, to crowds a foe profest,
Disdains to number with the blest,
Phraates, by his slaves ador'd,
And to the Parthian crown restor'd,
And gives the diadem, the throne,
And laurel wreath, to him alone,
_Who can a treasur'd mass of gold
With firm, undazzled eye behold!_