No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States;[1] and no person holding an office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state[2]_.
[1] This is in harmony with the principle "All men are created equal." And, while in society there are classes and grades based upon learning, wealth, etc., we intend that all shall be equal before the law, that there shall be no "privileged classes."
[2] The purpose of this is evident—to free public officers from blandishments, which are many times the precursors of temptations to treason.
An amendment to the constitution was proposed in 1811, prohibiting any citizen from receiving any kind of office or present from a foreign power, but it was not ratified.
SECTION X.—PROHIBITIONS ON THE STATES.
Clause 1.—Unconditional Prohibitions.
No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation;[1] grant letters of marque and reprisal;[2] coin money;[3] emit bills of credit;[4] make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts;[5] pass any bill of attainder,[6] ex post facto law,[6] or law impairing the obligation of contracts,[7] or grant any title of nobility.[6]
[1] Otherwise the intrigues of foreign nations would soon break up the Union.
[2] Had the states this power, it would be possible for any one of them to involve the whole country in war.
[3] This provision secures the uniformity and reliability of our coinage.