Final answer:
The phrase 'men of substance and good standing' refers to affluent and respectable individuals who often had easier access to migration and better opportunities in the societies they moved to. Historical contexts reveal a recurring theme where social standing and connections determined individuals' prospects, from the Northern European emigrants in the 19th century to the patrician class of ancient Rome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many of the emigrants were men of wealth, as the old lists show, and all of them, with few exceptions, were men of substance and good standing. This reflects a period in history where certain individuals, due to their economic status and social positions, had significant advantages in migration and societal integration. Emigrants such as these often included those from the Northern and Western European regions who were relatively well off and could afford the journey and settlement in new lands. Meanwhile, South and East Europeans faced different challenges and often migrated due to push factors like famine, and pull factors like the promise of work in the Industrialized North America.
A historical context underpinning this migration is that of a non-egalitarian society where social standing and office-holding were highly esteemed. Notable examples included the Northern business elite in the United States who forged ties through marriages within their class to maintain economic interests, and the patricians of ancient Rome with their prominent social and political roles in the city. Such historical narratives demonstrate how wealth and social class played crucial roles in one's ability to emigrate and achieve good standing in different societies throughout history.