reaus, with the medals of American Independence, with those of the
trophies they had taken, and the battles they had won. But through all
the United States, no officer is seen to offend the public eye with the
display of this badge. These changes have tranquillized the American
States. Their citizens feel too much interest in the reputation of their
officers, and value too much whatever may serve to recall to the memory
of their allies, the moments wherein they formed but one people, not to
do justice to the circumstance which prevented a total annihilation of
the order. Though they are obliged by a prudent foresight, to keep out
every thing from among themselves, which might pretend to divide them
into orders, and to degrade one description of men below another, yet
they hear with pleasure, that their allies, whom circumstances have
already placed under these distinctions, are willing to consider it as
one, to have aided them in the establishment of their liberties, and to
wear a badge which may recall them to their remembrance; and it would
be an extreme affliction to them, if the domestic reformation which has
been found necessary, if the censures of individual writers, or if any
other circumstance, should discourage the wearing of their badge, or
lessen its reputation.

This short but true, history of the order of the Cincinnati, taken from
the mouths of persons on the spot, who were privy to its origin and
progress, and who know its present state, is the best apology which can
be made for an institution, which appeared to be, and was really, so
heterogeneous to the governments in which it was erected.

It should be further considered, that, 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 millionary, 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 distinctions 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. A due horror of the e