Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-11-21
RIGHTS.
RICHMOND WHIG.
SATURDAY NOTHING, nov. 81. 1898.
The New Chivalry.

/ displays OF MANHOOD. " CnlValfous, Ballant, ne
roic" "knighy," and Ike terms, have substituted in
Yankee nomenclature such words as cute, "shrewd"
"smart" g., whch formerly embodied their highest
Inscriptions of praise. To read the letters of the news
paper correspondents, and the balderdssh Of editors
aud orators one who knew no better, if such an enc
could DO fouad anyWhere in the world might conclude
that from the beginning of time mighty and valorouS
and prineey = race nov muster under the banners
OF Abraham Lincoln, have gone forth to battle
The proves and intrepdi.y tha fear no Odds-he de-
Votedness that takes heed Of perthe greatness Of
soul that contemns all unfair advsntage-the msgan-
unity that shields the vanquished ard spares the weak
the cOurness thai observes the minutess punCtio OF
manners ana bsarng-al those and every other grace
and attribute of hgb chvslry thers If those who
recount their deeds and sing their praises are to be
credited The chronicles Of the old Knig IT, the songs
Of the TrOu6adOurs and the of the Paladins
repsle with narratives that stir the blood
aad terms that naAme the Imagination than these annals
OF chivalry.
when cultivated and courageous nations have gone to
war for idea-upou point Of hOnOr-tO vindcats
a rSh. or redress wrong, it has not been unusual
witness in reality exhibitions Of valour, magnanim-
iy and elsmeuoy, that have made forget for while
the revolving realities Of the strife, and have lent sort
Of fascination to the terrible business. Il not diff
cult to understand even that war; when conducted
cording the rules recOg ssd by christian races may
have eevating influence upon the combatants in de-
v5lOping manly traits and in teaching that forgetfu
ness and cbnegaon of self which are the Of all
true generosity, chivslry and courtesy The who
gives up home, with all its comforts and joys, that
others may remain unmolested there-who encounters
peril and privaion that Others may enjoy safety and
aburdance-vhOse daily round of duties is a sort of
personal mArtyrdom for the bsaeat Of oherss apt to
learn much Of tue policy Of respecting the lights Of
others, Of the duty Of requiring his to be
speeted Hence it Is that one great has generally
suced for any single generation, aud has furnished,
in is experiences and secoectons, incen lives spc
for the faithful observance of obligations and the care
ful avoidance OF offence.
Blu: as in the present conflict, we see nothing in the
character Of TIE enemy compatible with chivay, in
the motives iAls actuAe and the condcc that chlrac
eIIes them We find no for the growth OF the
nObhng virtues or humAnizng amenities, that with
higher aud better sometimes the bOni-
aceut fruit of the ruds culture of war Toe people with
whom ara unhAPpiy involved cre, of all the hu-
mas race, leasi amenabls TO mslorating in
alences-and the motive and the manner Of
the hOstiijes they wage against Us aDtagOnize
sll that IS manly, honorable or even honest. Whit
manhood there be in a war in which the reliance
FIR is the brate power of numbers-whs honour
where cunning, per6dy ard fslseheod constantly
employed to deceive a5d cireumveut-Wha. honesty
where the motive is undsguised and Wholesale robbie
ryg The great reliance Of the Yankees from the out
set--uthous which they would not have Ventured TO
take up Arms-has been upon tAe fact that their fight
inc Ken Outnumbered ouB, four TO one. They have
bag ged and staggered this until The world has
fOun that th'ly do net consider themselves
equals 10 NAL and think it matter for congrStu-
a.Va and pride that four of their men may be more
than a match foe One OF ours. TIE confidence they
have not in their courage bat in their superior force
It ia The confidence of the Overgrown bully NhO
in hi antagonist 70 poor comparison with himself in
sizs and strength that he expects master i'm by
81 agls blow. 1. is the confidence of ojWardiCe
aimed BY the ASSURANCES of safety. ChiValry comes
from such uneOngs NAL soil that 1t is among the
heroic virtues and like magnAnmity, is the outgrOWh
Of true courage.
But comedies too much to our Yankee antagonists
say that they rely for defeat upon the fact that
they number four TO our one. They virtually confess
that with only this Odds they cannot succeed, and so
they invoke the help of the negro. They had already
brbsd forced into their ranks the representatives Of
nearly every race under the sum- but 6ndng themselves
I Incompetent for the task they had undertaken they
now hold out their hand imploringy to the negro
wants Of the men With whom they are fighting and
Welcome them into their ranks as brothers and equal.
Nothing is too low in the scale of humanity for THAR fell
lovship ADD fraternity that promises to still further
ssen the diSproporOn on which they place all their
| dependeuce No, not AL They are not that
numbers however great though possessing incAcuAbe
advantages In arms equipments and al the accessories
and supplements of war, make them safe, and 60
they resort to the ghly ehiVArous means of starv
ma into submission They make against the peace
fu I'll ers Of the so and wage destruction upon farms,
erOps barns, mills, the implements of husbAndry and
the s NIB creatures that minister to the wants of men.
They nope that the wasting cheek Of the wife and the
pg CRY Of the babe may do for the husband and
fther What their anna have failed to do, compel him
"a submt to savo them from starvation. They destroy
and intercept medicines tina: disease may be impressed
into their eerviee They apply the torch to towns and
vl,ges and family MANSIONS that Ere may sht their
b,tes They cut canals ana break doWn leVees, that
b .,ss NAV inundA.e what their armies cannot over
-, And thus the new chivAlry makes allies Of
Famine, Disease, Flame and Flood. All tongues SnG
eoor. and classes Of mAnk nd By force or maud, toe
pOv,r of bribery or the promise Of booty they lew
upsp 70 swell the ranks of Sher armies They bend 'S
their service IS AuIares the great forces OF Nature
All on The earth or above it they inpi'uay strive to CO.
.,os into the execution Of the mOHstrOus Wickednes
thew meek to accomplish, and then descending to I'M
neither regions, they more 6tly solicit aid from TIT
Prince OF the POHer Of Darkness, and are reniorce'
by battaOns of imps Of evil in the shaP' OF intrigue
deception, cunning, psrhdy fAlSshOOd and every ar
and agency Of villAiny.
The old chivalry, Is pictured TO uS, was brave 0i
truthful LOYAL courtly, generous, fair gentle to tn