2712. EQUALITY, America and.—
In
America no other distinction between man
and man had ever been known but that of
persons in office, exercising powers by authority
of the laws, and private individuals.
Among these last, the poorest laborer stood
on equal ground with the wealthiest millionaire,
and generally on a more favored one
whenever their rights seemed to jar. It has
been seen that a shoemaker, or other artisan,
removed by the voice of his country
from his work bench into a chair of office,
has instantly commanded all the respect and
obedience which the laws ascribe to his office.
But of distinction by birth or badge,
they had no more idea than they had of
the mode of existence in the moon or planets.
They had heard only that there were such,
and knew that they must be wrong.—
To M. de Meunier. Washington ed. ix, 270.
Ford ed., iv, 174.
(P.
1786)
See Aristocracy.
