"Hope--that thy wrongs will be by the Great Spirit
Remembered and revenged when thou art gone;
Sorrow--that none are left thee to inherit
Thy name, thy fame, thy passions, and thy throne."
--_Red Jacket._
It was a little remarkable that one as old and blear-eyed as the negro,
should be the first among us to discover the approach of a large body of
the Injins, who could not be less than two hundred in number. The
circumstance was probably owing to the fact that, while every other eye
was riveted on the speaker, his eyes were fastened on nothing. There the
Injins did come, however, in force; and this time apparently without
fear. The white American meets the red-man with much confidence, when he
is prepared for the struggle; and the result has shown that, when thrown
upon his resources in the wilderness, and after he has been allowed time
to gain a little experience, he is usually the most formidable enemy.
But a dozen Indians, of the stamp of those who had here come to visit
us, armed and painted, and placed in the centre of one of our largest
peopled counties, would be sufficient to throw that county into a
paroxysm of fear. Until time were given for thought, and the opinions of
the judicious superseded the effects of rumor, nothing but panic would
prevail. Mothers would clasp their children to their bosoms, fathers
would hold back their sons from the slaughter, and even the heroes of
the militia would momentarily forget their ardor in the suggestions of
prudence and forethought.
Such, in fact, had been the state of things in and about Ravensnest,
when Flintyheart so unexpectedly led his companions into the forest, and
dispersed the virtuous and oppressed tenants of my estate on their
return from a meeting held with but one virtuous object; viz., that of
transferring the fee of the farms they occupied from me to themselves.
No one doubted, at the moment, that in addition to the other enormities
committed by me and mine, I had obtained a body of savages from the far
west to meet the forces already levied by the tenants, on a principle
that it would not do to examine very clearly. If I _had_ done so, I am
far from certain that I should not have been perfectly justified in
morals; for an evil of that nature, that might at any time be put down
in a month, and which is suffered to exist for years, through the
selfish indifference of the community, restores to every man his natural
rights of self-defence; though I make no doubt had I resorted to such
means, I should have been hanged, without benefit of philanthropists;
the "clergy" in this country not being included in the class, so far as
suspension by the neck is concerned.
But the panic had disappeared, as soon as the truth became known
concerning the true object of the visit of the redskins. The courage of
the "virtuous and honest" revived, and one of the first exhibitions of
this renewed spirit was the attempt to set fire to my house and barns.
So serious a demonstration, it was thought, would convince me of the
real power of the people, and satisfy us all that their wishes are not
to be resisted with impunity. As no one likes to have his house and
barns burned, it must be a singular being who could withstand the
influence of such a manifestation of the "spirit of the institutions;"
for it is just as reasonable to suppose that the attempts of the
incendiaries came within their political category, as it is to suppose
that the attempt of the tenants to get a title beyond what was bestowed
in their leases, was owing to this cause.
That habit of deferring to externals, which is so general in a certain
class of our citizens, and which endures in matters of religion long
after the vital principle is forgotten, prevented any serious outbreak
on the next day, which was the Sunday mentioned; though the occasion was
improved to coerce by intimidation, the meeting and resolutions having
been regularly digested in secret conclave among the local leaders of
anti-rentism, and carried out, as has been described. Then followed the
destruction of the canopy, another demonstration of the "spirit of the
institutions," and as good an argument as any that has yet been offered,
in favor of the dogmas of the new political faith. Public opinion is
entitled to some relief, surely, when it betrays so much excitement as
to desecrate churches and to destroy private property. This circumstance
of the canopy had been much dwelt on, as a favorable anti-rent argument,
and it might now be considered that the subject was carried out to
demonstration.
By the time all this was effected, so completely had the "Injins" got
over their dread of the Indians, that it was with difficulty the leaders
of the former could prevent the most heroic portion of their corps from
following their blow at the canopy by a _coup de main_ against the old
farm-house and its occupants. Had not the discretion of the leaders been
greater than that of their subordinates, it is very probable blood would
have been shed between these quasi belligerents. But the warriors of the
prairies were the guests of Uncle Sam, and the old gentleman, after all,
has a long arm, and can extend it from Washington to Ravensnest without
much effort. He was not to be offended heedlessly, therefore; for his
power was especially to be dreaded in this matter of the covenants,
without which Injins and agitation would be altogether unnecessary to
attaining the great object, the Albany politicians being so well
disposed to do all they can for the "virtuous and honest." Uncle Sam's
Indians, consequently, were held a good deal more in respect than the
laws of the State, and they consequently escaped being murdered in their
sleep.
When Jaaf first drew our attention to the Injins, they were advancing in
a long line, by the highway, and at a moderate pace; leaving us time to
shift our own position, did we deem it necessary. My uncle was of
opinion it would never do to remain out on the lawn, exposed to so great
a superiority of force, and he took his measures accordingly. In the
first place, the females, mistresses and maids--and there were eight or
ten of the last--were requested to retire, at once, to the house. The
latter, with John at their head, were directed to close all the lower
outside shutters of the building, and secure them within. This done, and
the gate and two outer doors fastened, it would not be altogether
without hazard to make an assault on our fortress. As no one required a
second request to move, this part of the precaution was soon effected,
and the house placed in a species of temporary security.
While the foregoing was in the course of execution, Susquesus and Jaaf
were induced to change their positions, by transferring themselves to
the piazza. That change was made, and the two old fellows were
comfortably seated in their chairs again before a single man of the
redskins moved a foot. There they all remained, motionless as so many
statues, with the exception that Flintyheart seemed to be reconnoitring
with his eyes the thicket that fringed the neighboring ravine, and which
formed a bit of dense cover, as already described, of some considerable
extent.
"Do you wish the redskins in the house, colonel?" asked the interpreter,
coolly, when matters had reached to this pass; "if you do, it's time to
speak, or they'll soon be off, like a flock of pigeons, into that cover.
There'll be a fight as sartain as they move, for there's no more joke
and making of faces about them critturs than there is about a
mile-stone. So it's best to speak in time."
No delay occurred after this hint was given. The request of my uncle Ro
that the chiefs would follow the Upright Onondago was just in time to
prevent a flight; in the sense of Manytongues, I mean, for it was not
very likely these warriors would literally run away. It is probable that
they would have preferred the cover of the woods as more natural and
familiar to them--but I remarked, as the whole party came on the piazza,
that Flintyheart, in particular, cast a quick, scrutinizing glance at
the house, which said in pretty plain language that he was examining its
capabilities as a work of defence. The movement, however, was made with
perfect steadiness; and, what most surprised us all, was the fact that
not one of the chiefs appeared to pay the slightest attention to their
advancing foes; or men whom it was reasonable for them to suppose so
considered themselves to be. We imputed this extraordinary reserve to
force of character, and a desire to maintain a calm and dignified
deportment in the presence of Susquesus. If it were really the latter
motive that so completely restrained every exhibition of impatience,
apprehension, or disquietude, they had every reason to congratulate
themselves on the entire success of their characteristic restraint on
their feelings.
The Injins were just appearing on the lawn as our arrangements were
completed. John had come to report every shutter secure, and the gate
and little door barred. He also informed us that all the men and boys
who could be mustered, including gardeners, laborers, and stable people,
to the number of five or six, were in the little passage, armed; where
rifles were ready also for ourselves. In short, the preparations that
had been made by my grandmother, immediately after her arrival, were now
of use, and enabled us to make much more formidable resistance,
sustained as we were by the party from the prairies, than I could have
ever hoped for on so sudden an emergency.
Our arrangement was very simple. The ladies were seated near the great
door, in order that they might be placed under cover the first, in the
event of necessity; Susquesus and Jaaf had their chairs a little on one
side, but quite near this group, and the men from the far west occupied
the opposite end of the piazza, whither the benches had been removed,
for their accommodation. Manytongues stood between the two divisions of
our company, ready to interpret for either; while my uncle, myself,
John, and two or three of the other servants took position behind our
aged friends. Seneca and his fellow-incendiary were in the midst of the
chiefs.
It was just as the Injins had got fairly on the lawn that we heard the
clattering of hoofs, and every eye was turned in the direction whence
the sound proceeded. This was on the side of the ravine, and to me it
seemed from the first that some one was approaching us through that
dell. So it proved, truly; for soon Opportunity came galloping up the
path, and appeared in sight. She did not check her horse until under the
tree, where she alighted, by a single bound, and hitching the animal to
a hook in the tree, she moved swiftly toward the house. My sister Patt
advanced to the steps of the piazza to receive this unexpected guest,
and I was just behind her to make my bow. But the salutations of
Opportunity were hasty and far from being very composed. She glanced
around her, ascertained the precise condition of her brother--and,
taking my arm, she led me into the library with very little, or, indeed,
with no ceremony; for, to give this young woman her due, she was a
person of great energy when there was anything serious to be done. The
only sign of deviating, in the slightest degree, from the object in
view, was pausing, one instant, in passing, to make her compliments to
my grandmother.
"What, in the name of wonder, do you mean to do with Sen?" demanded this
active young lady, looking at me intently, with an expression
half-hostile, half-tender. "You are standing over an earthquake, Mr.
Hugh, if you did but know it."
Opportunity had confounded the effect with the cause, but that was of
little moment on an occasion so interesting. She was much in earnest,
and I had learned by experience that her hints and advice might be of
great service to us at the Nest.
"To what particular danger do you allude, my dear Opportunity?"
"Ah, Hugh! if things was only as they used to be, how happy might we all
be together here at Ravensnest! But, there is no time to talk of such
things; for, as Sarah Soothings says, 'the heart is most monopolized
when grief is the profoundest, and it is only when our sentiments rise
freely to the surface of the imagination, that the mind escapes the
shackles of thraldom.' But I haven't a minute for Sarah Soothings, even,
just now. Don't you see the Injins?"
"Quite plainly, and they probably see my 'Indians.'"
"Oh! they don't regard them now the least in the world. At first, when
they thought you might have hired a set of desperate wretches to scalp
the folks, there was some misgivings; but the whole story is now known,
and nobody cares a straw about them. If anybody's scalp is taken, 'twill
be their own. Why, the whole country is up, and the report has gone
forth, far and near, that you have brought in with you a set of
blood-thirsty savages from the prairies to cut the throats of women and
children, and drive off the tenants, that you may get all the farms into
your own hands before the lives fall in. Some folks say, these savages
have had a list of all the lives named in your leases given to them, and
that they are to make way with all such people first, that you may have
the law as much as possible on your side. You stand on an earthquake,
Mr. Hugh; you do, indeed!"
"My dear Opportunity," I answered, laughing, "I am infinitely obliged to
you for all this attention to my interests, and freely own that on
Saturday night you were of great service to me; but I must now think
that you magnify the danger--that you color the picture too high."
"Not in the least, I do protest, you stand on an earthquake; and as your
friend, I have ridden over here to tell you as much, while there is yet
time."
"To get off it, I suppose you mean. But how can all these evil and
blood-thirsty reports be abroad, when the characters of the Western
Indians are, as you own yourself, understood, and the dread of them that
did exist in the town has entirely vanished? There is a contradiction in
this."
"Why, you know how it is, in anti-rent times. When an excitement is
needed, folks don't stick at facts very closely, but repeat things, and
make things, just as it happens to be convenient."
"True; I can understand this, and have no difficulty in believing you
now. But have you come here this morning simply to let me know the
danger which besets me from this quarter?"
"I believe I'm always only too ready to gallop over to the Nest! But
everybody has some weakness or other, and I suppose I am to be no
exception to the rule," returned Opportunity, who doubtless fancied the
moment propitious to throw in a volley toward achieving her great
conquest, and who reinforced that volley of words with such a glance of
the eye, as none but a most practised picaroon on the sea of flirtation
could have thrown. "But, Hugh--I call you Hugh, Mr. Littlepage, for you
seem more like Hugh to me, than like the proud, evil-minded aristocrat,
and hard-hearted landlord, that folks want to make you out to be--but I
never could have told you what I did last night, had I supposed it would
bring Sen into this difficulty."
"I can very well understand how unpleasantly you are situated as
respects your brother, Opportunity, and your friendly services will not
be forgotten in the management of his affairs."
"If you are of this mind, why won't you suffer these Injins to get him
out of the hands of your real savages," returned Opportunity, coaxingly.
"I'll promise for him that Sen will go off, and stay off for some
months, if you insist on't; when all is forgotten, he can come back
again."
"Is the release of your brother, then, the object of this visit from the
Injins?"
"Partly so--they're bent on having him. He's in all the secrets of the
anti-renters, and they're afraid for their very lives, so long as he's
in your hands. Should he get a little scared, and give up only
one-quarter of what he knows, there'd be no peace in the county for a
twelvemonth."
At this instant, and before there was time to make an answer, I was
summoned to the piazza, the Injins approaching so near as to induce my
uncle to step to the door and call my name in a loud voice. I was
compelled to quit Opportunity, who did not deem it prudent to show
herself among us, though her presence in the house, as an intercessor
for her brother, could excite neither surprise nor resentment.
When I reached the piazza, the Injins had advanced as far as the tree
where we had first been posted, and there they had halted, seemingly for
a conference. In their rear, Mr. Warren was walking hurriedly toward us,
keeping the direct line, regardless of those whom we well knew to be
inimical to him, and intent only on reaching the house before it could
be gained by the "disguised and armed." This little circumstance gave
rise to an incident of touching interest, and which I cannot refrain
from relating, though it may interrupt the narration of matters that
others may possibly think of more moment.
Mr. Warren did not pass directly through the crowd of rioters--for such
those people were, in effect, unless the epithet should be changed to
the still more serious one of rebels--but he made a little detour, in
order to prevent a collision that was unnecessary. When about half-way
between the tree and the piazza, however, the Injins gave a discordant
yell, and many of them sprang forward, as if in haste to overtake, and
probably to arrest him. Just as we all involuntarily arose, under a
common feeling of interest in the fate of the good rector, Mary darted
from the piazza, was at her father's side and in his arms so quickly, as
to seem to have flown there. Clinging to his side, she appeared to urge
him toward us. But Mr. Warren adopted a course much wiser than that of
flight would have been. Conscious of having said or done no more than
his duty, he stopped and faced his pursuers. The act of Mary Warren had
produced a check to the intended proceedings of these lawless men, and
the calm, dignified aspect of the divine completed his conquest. The
leaders of the Injins paused, conferred together, when all who had
issued from the main body returned to their companions beneath the tree,
leaving Mr. Warren and his charming daughter at liberty to join us
unmolested, and with decorum.
The instant Mary Warren left the piazza on her pious errand, I sprang
forward to follow her with an impulse I could not control. Although my
own power over this impulsive movement was so small, that of my uncle
and grandmother was greater. The former seized the skirt of my frock,
and held me back by main strength, while the light touch of the latter
had even greater power. Both remonstrated, and with so much obvious
justice, that I saw the folly of what I was about in an instant, and
abandoned my design. Had _I_ fallen into the hands of the anti-renters,
their momentary triumph, at least, would have been complete.
Mr. Warren ascended the steps of the piazza with a mien as unaltered,
and an air as undisturbed, as if about to enter his own church. The good
old gentleman had so schooled his feelings, and was so much accustomed
to view himself as especially protected, or as so ready to suffer, when
in the discharge of any serious duty, that I have had occasions to
ascertain fear was unknown to him. As for Mary, never had she appeared
so truly lovely, as she ascended the steps, still clinging fondly and
confidingly to his arm. The excitement of such a scene had brought more
than the usual quantity of blood into her face, and the brilliancy of
her eyes was augmented by that circumstance, perhaps; but I fancied that
a more charming picture of feminine softness, blended with the
self-devotion of the child, could not have been imagined by the mind of
man.
Patt, dear, generous girl, sprang forward to embrace her friend, which
she did with warmth and honest fervor, and my venerable grandmother
kissed her on both cheeks, while the other two girls were not backward
in giving the customary signs of the sympathy of their sex. My uncle Ro
even went so far as gallantly to kiss her hand, causing the poor girl's
face to be suffused with blushes, while poor Hugh was obliged to keep in
the background, and content himself with looking his admiration. I got
one glance, however, from the sweet creature, that was replete with
consolation, since it assured me that my forbearance was understood, and
attributed to its right motive.
In that singular scene, the men of the prairies alone appeared to be
unmoved. Even the domestics and workmen had betrayed a powerful interest
in this generous act of Mary Warren's, the females all screaming in
chorus, very much as a matter of course. But, not an Indian moved.
Scarce one turned his eyes from the countenance of Susquesus, though all
must have been conscious that something of interest was going on so near
them, by the concern we betrayed; and all certainly knew that their
enemies were hard by. As respects the last, I have supposed the
unconcern, or seeming unconcern of these western warriors, ought to be
ascribed to the circumstance of the presence of the ladies, and an
impression that there could be no very imminent risk of hostilities
while the company then present remained together. The apathy of the
chiefs seemed to be extended to the interpreter, who was coolly lighting
his pipe at the very moment when the whole affair of the Warren episode
occurred; an occupation that was not interrupted by the clamor and
confusion among ourselves.
As there was a delay in the nearer approach of the Injins, there was
leisure to confer together for a moment. Mr. Warren told us, therefore,
that he had seen the "disguised and armed" pass the rectory, and had
followed in order to act as a mediator between us and any contemplated
harm.
"The destruction of the canopy of Hugh's pew must have given you a
serious intimation that things were coming to a head," observed my
grandmother.
Mr. Warren had not heard of the affair of the canopy, at all. Although
living quite within sound of a hammer used in the church, everything had
been conducted with so much management, that the canopy had been taken
down, and removed bodily, without any one in the rectory's knowing the
fact. The latter had become known at the Nest, solely by the
circumstance that the object which had so lately canopied aristocracy in
St. Andrew's, Ravensrest, was now canopying pigs up at the farm house.
The good divine expressed his surprise a little strongly, and, as I
thought, his regrets a little indifferently. He was not one to
countenance illegality and violence, and least of all that peculiarly
American vice, envy; but, on the other hand, he was not one to look with
favor on the empty distinctions, as set up between men equally sinners
and in need of grace to redeem them from a common condemnation, in the
house of God. As the grave is known to be the great leveller of the
human race, so ought the church to be used as a preparatory step in
descending to the plain all must occupy, in spirit at least, before they
can hope to be elevated to any, even of the meanest places, among the
many mansions of our Father's bosom!
There was but a short breathing time given us, however, before the
Injins again advanced. It was soon evident they did not mean to remain
mere idle spectators of the scene that was in the course of enactment on
the piazza, but that it was their intention to become actors, in some
mode or other. Forming themselves into a line, that savored a great deal
more of the militia of this great republic than of the warriors of the
West, they came on tramping, with the design of striking terror into our
souls. Our arrangements were made, however, and on our part everything
was conducted just as one could have wished. The ladies, influenced by
my grandmother, retained their seats, near the door; the men of the
household were standing, but continued stationary, while not an Indian
stirred. As for Susquesus, he had lived far beyond surprises and all
emotions of the lower class, and the men of the prairies appeared to
take their cues from him. So long as he continued immovable, they seemed
disposed to remain immovable also.
The distance between the tree and the piazza, did not much exceed a
hundred yards, and little time was necessary to march across it. I
remarked, however, that, contrary to the laws of attraction, the nearer
the Injins' line got to its goal, the slower and more unsteady its
movement became. It also lost its formation, bending into curves, though
its tramps became louder and louder, as if those who were in it, wished
to keep alive their own courage by noise. When within fifty feet of the
steps, they ceased to advance at all merely, stamping with their feet,
as if hoping to frighten us into flight. I thought this a favorable
moment to do that which it had been decided between my uncle and myself
ought to be done by me, as owner of the property these lawless men had
thus invaded. Stepping to the front of the piazza, I made a sign for
attention. The tramping ceased all at once, and I had a profound silence
for my speech.
"You know me, all of you," I said, quietly I know, and I trust firmly;
"and you know, therefore, that I am the owner of this house and these
lands. As such owner, I order every man among you to quit the place, and
to go into the highway, or upon the property of some other person.
Whoever remains, after this notice, will be a trespasser, and the evil
done by a trespasser is doubly serious in the eyes of the law."
I uttered these words loud enough to be heard by everybody present, but
I cannot pretend that they were attended by much success. The calico
bundles turned toward each other, and there was an appearance of a sort
of commotion, but the leaders composed the people, the omnipotent people
in this instance, as they do in most others. The sovereignty of the mass
is a capital thing as a principle, and once in a long while it evinces a
great good in practice; in a certain sense, it is always working good,
by holding a particular class of most odious and intolerable abuses in
check; but as for the practice of every-day political management, their
imperial majesties, the sovereigns of America, of whom I happen to be
one, have quite as little connection with the measures they are made to
seem to demand, and to sustain, as the Nawab of Oude; if the English,
who are so disinterested as to feel a generous concern for the rights of
mankind, whenever the great republic adds a few acres to the small
paternal homestead, have left any such potentate in existence.
So it was with the decision of the "disguised and armed," on the
occasion I am describing. They decided that no other notice should be
taken of my summons to quit, than a contemptuous yell, though they had
to ascertain from their leaders what they had decided before they knew
themselves. The shout was pretty general, notwithstanding, and it had
one good effect; that of satisfying the Injins themselves, that they had
made a clear demonstration of their contempt of my authority, which they
fancied victory sufficient for the moment; nevertheless, the
demonstration did not end exactly here. Certain cries, and a brief
dialogue, succeeded, which it may be well to record.
"_King_ Littlepage," called out one, from among the "disguised and
armed," "what has become of your throne? St. Andrew's meeting-'us' has
lost its monarch's throne!"
"His pigs have set up for great aristocrats of late; presently they'll
want to be patroons."
"Hugh Littlepage, be a man; come down to a level with your
fellow-citizens, and don't think yourself any better than other folks.
You're but flesh and blood, a'ter all."
"Why don't you invite me to come and dine with you as well as priest
Warren? I can eat, as well as any man in the country, and as much."
"Yes, and he'll _drink_, too, Hugh Littlepage; so provide your best
liquor the day he's to be invited."
All this passed for wit among the Injins, and among that portion of the
"virtuous and honest and hard-working," who not only kept them on foot,
but on this occasion kept them company also; it having since been
ascertained that about one-half of that band was actually composed of
the tenants of the Ravensnest farms. I endeavored to keep myself cool,
and succeeded pretty well, considering the inducements there were to be
angry. Argument with such men was out of the question--and knowing their
numbers and physical superiority, they held my legal rights in contempt.
What was probably worse than all, they knew that the law itself was
administered by the people, and that they had little to apprehend, and
did apprehend virtually nothing from any of the pains and penalties it
might undertake to inflict, should recourse be had to it at any future
day. Ten or a dozen wily agents sent through the country to circulate
lies, and to visit the county town previously to, and during a trial, in
order to raise a party that will act more or less directly on the minds
of the jurors, with a newspaper or two to scatter untruths and
prejudices, would at least be as effective, at the critical moment, as
the law, the evidence, and the right. As for the judges, and their
charges, they have lost most of their influence, under the operation of
this nefarious system, and count but for very little in the
administration of justice either at Nisi Prius or at Oyer Terminer.
These are melancholy truths, that any man who quits his theories and
descends into the arena of practice will soon ascertain to be such, to
his wonder and alarm, if he be a novice and an honest man. A portion of
this unhappy state of things is a consequence of the legislative
tinkering that has destroyed one of the most healthful provisions of the
common law, in prohibiting the judges to punish for contempt, unless for
outrages committed in open court. The press, in particular, now profits
by this impunity, and influences the decision of nearly every case that
can at all enlist public feeling. All these things men feel, and few who
are wrong care for the law; for those who are right, it is true, there
is still some danger. My uncle Ro says America is no more like what
America was in this respect twenty years since, than Kamtschatka is like
Italy. For myself, I wish to state the truth; exaggerating nothing, nor
yet taking refuge in a dastardly concealment.
Unwilling to be browbeaten on the threshold of my own door, I determined
to say something ere I returned to my place. Men like these before me
can never understand that silence proceeds from contempt; and I fancied
it best to make some sort of a reply to the speeches I have recorded,
and to twenty more of the same moral calibre. Motioning for silence, I
again obtained it.
"I have ordered you to quit my lawn, in the character of its owner," I
said, "and, by remaining, you make yourselves trespassers. As for what
you have done to my pew, I should thank you for it, had it not been done
in violation of the right; for it was fully my intention to have that
canopy removed as soon as the feeling about it had subsided. I am as
much opposed to distinctions of any sort in the house of God as any of
you can be, and desire them not for myself, or any belonging to me. I
ask for nothing but equal rights with all my fellow-citizens; that _my_
property should be as much protected as _theirs_, but not more so. But I
do not conceive that you or any man has a right to ask to share in my
world's goods any more than I have a right to ask to share in his; that
you can more justly claim a portion of my lands than I can claim a share
in your cattle and crops. It is a poor rule that does not work both
ways."
"You're an aristocrat," cried one from among the Injins, "or you'd be
willing to let other men have as much land as you've got yourself.
You're a patroon; and all patroons are aristocrats and hateful."
"An aristocrat," I answered, "is one of a few who wield political power.
The highest birth, the largest fortune, the most exclusive association
would not make an aristocrat, without the addition of a narrow political
power. In this country there are no aristocrats, because there is no
narrow political power. There is, however, a spurious aristocracy which
you do not recognize, merely because it does not happen to be in the
hands of gentlemen. Demagogues and editors are your privileged classes,
and consequently your aristocrats, and none others. As for your landlord
aristocrats, listen to a true tale, which will satisfy you how far they
deserve to be called an aristocracy. Mark! what I now tell you is
religious truth, and it deserves to be known far and near, wherever your
cry of aristocracy reaches. There is a landlord in this State, a man of
large means, who became liable for the debts of another to a
considerable amount. At the very moment when _his_ rents could not be
collected, owing to _your_ interference and the remissness of those in
authority to enforce the laws, the sheriff entered _his_ house and sold
its contents, in order to satisfy an execution against _him_! There is
American aristocracy for you, and, I am sorry to add, American justice,
as justice has got to be administered among us."
I was not disappointed in the effect of this narration of what is a
sober truth. Wherever I have told it, it has confounded even the most
brawling demagogue, and momentarily revived in his breast some of those
principles of right which God originally planted there. American
aristocracy, in sooth! Fortunate is the gentleman that can obtain even a
reluctant and meagre justice.