Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-06-04
Bogus Southern ChiHalrH.

The much Wanted chivalry of South
err blood has been tested in the fiery
orucible of war, and found to be spurious.
Southsrnersi have ever been wont to as
Gribe to themselves the honor of being
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES; claiming that true
ohiEahy could only flourish perrenially
under the softer skies and warmer
sun of their own Southern cline, cultiya-
ted and nourished by lords Of the lash.
But the practical test 10 which it has been
reduced the progress of the rebellion,
proves it to have been an attribute quite
as exaggerated as the mythical strength
OF the ancient Titans. The Southerners
are not ehivalric, in a true sense. Their
conduct in the war shows them to be des-
perate, reckless and cruel. almost wholly
destitute of that nobleness, ~gallantry and
magnanimity Characteristic of true chiv-
airy, In this respect the brave sons of
the North have clearly demonstrated their
superiority before the world. Their cour-
age may not be 80 impulsive, but it is un-
faltering and reliable. While they boldly
meet their foes on the open field in a fair
Eight, and are governed by the usages of
civilized warfare, their Southern adyer-
saries proTe themselves no better than
oowardiy assassins and skulking savages,
hesrtless and ~ferocious in sppeasing their
implaeabls thirst for bloody revenge.
Among Christian nations, and impair
tlal observers, these marked differences in
the spirit of the two sections, will be re-
sognized as an evidence of the superior
ity of Northern education and free soci-
ETY. /; that they are vastly more in harmo-
ny with the enlightened spirit of the
sge. than are the institutions, teachings,
morals and manners CT the South, the So
eiety Of which, in all its branches and
meanderings, bears = dark and turbid
eoloriRg. indicating that rottenness and
corruption distil a fatal virus into the wa
tiers at its fountain head. The institution
of Slavery has made the South a race of
insolents; has built up a system Of petty
tyranny under the jurisdiction of planta-
tion despots, who nave for years swayed
she sceptre of the lash over their hum
dreds of slaves with an absolutism that
demanded and received the most servile
submission. Accustomed to resent any
lack of respect to their wishes, or insult
10 their dignity, by summary punish
nents, they naturally grow arbitrary, pet
ulent and passionate. imperious in their
demands of all with whom they have in
sercourse, either social or political. This
6erceness Of passion is all there is of South
ern Chiyalry. And when it comes in con-
tao with brave, un1inching Northern
manhood, that has been reared on the
broad basis of personal freedom, it meets
an sDtagonism quite different than that
of the helpless resistance of o shackled
slave. 1t meets a power that VIII not
cover at its bidding, but striking with
the strong arm of freedom lay the tyrant
PROSTATE at its feet.
Every day the present conflict shall
continue, will show that the fire of true
shivalry warns Northern hearts with a
stesd:er and purer fame than the ftful
blaze that muses. Southern passion to boil
ever in frothy, impotent rage. We hope
and think the time IS past when the South
ern claim to superior excellence in per
sonal bravery and nobility of nature win
longer be recognized by IN rospecta-
bic part of the nation. Their guerrilla
and barbarous mode of warfare, their nu-
merous routs and disgraceful defeats. their
cowardly retreats and empty brayado, are
marks that will rest on them as ever
lasting stigmas, and when contrasted with
their great pr~etensions and fierce threats,
will sink them lower in the scale of mar
tial prowess and greatness than are even
the indolent greazers of Mexico.
The boast that one Southerner was
equal to five Yankees, SO rife at the COM
nencsment of the war, has been about
reversed in fact, as the bravery and skill
of our troops, on many a victorious field,
against great odds, irrefutably attests.
--O@-
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