Vol. I. Philadelphia, Sixth Month, 1820. No. 6.
FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.
Dr. Johnson.
Numerous and important are theboasted advantages of our free government.Men and things are professedlyestimated, in this region ofsturdy republicanism, in exact accordancewith their true character.Our just and beautiful theories inculcatethe doctrine, that VIRTUE andTALENT are the only proper groundsof distinction in society; and if thiswere faithfully illustrated in practice,merit would not be opposed by seriousobstacles, in emerging from obscurity.If such a desirable state ofthings were realized, how rapidlywould our country advance in prosperity!Monarchical institutions, whichsanction the hereditary descent ofRANK and DISTINCTION, would contrastvery unpleasantly with thosewhich are bottomed on the cardinalprinciple, that all men are by NATURECREATED EQUAL. It becomes ustherefore to inquire, whether the fanciedsuperiority, which in relation tothis subject, we arrogate to ourselves,be in reality any thing but inname.
In prosecuting this inquiry, let personalobservation, and personal experience,be candidly consulted. If wehave voluntarily substituted, for whatin other countries results from theexercise of despotic power, an idol ofour own creation, and bow to it withthe same deference and fealty, whatbecomes of our claim to the title ofindependence? The effect of such adeception will be no less productiveof mental and moral degradation, thanif the laws of the land had authorizedthe establishment of PRIVILEGED ORDERS.The real republican characteris particularly distinguished by itssimplicity. The inroads of luxury,and the inordinate influence of wealth,are anxiously to be deprecated, asdestructive to rational liberty. Titlesof nobility are not within our reach;but the glitter of wealth may equallyawaken our ambition, and monopolizeour attention. Here there is danger,against the approach of which it isthe part of prudence and of wisdomto be vigilant.
When an individual is supposed tobe affluent, have we ever known hismerit to be unjustly overlooked or disregarded?Are not riches uniformlyinvested with the magic power ofextenuating the faults, and magnifying[202]the good qualities of their possessor?The answers to these questions willat once be given without hesitation,
The complexion of society in Philadelphia,is considered, in many respects,of that chastened and respectablecharacter, which is well becomingthe nature of our institutions. Ourmetropolis has always been distinguishedfor Benevolence, of which, aswell as of other good qualities, honourablemention might be made.But indiscriminate approbation mustbe withheld, if we maintain our allegianceto truth. There is in this cityan aristocracy of wealth, which has awithering and destruc