Des Arc citizen., 1866-06-16
Southern "AriStOCratS."

Soon after the fall of the Confectionery, we sometimes heard ignorant and envi. ous men say that the war had done at least one good-it had broken down and destroyed the 'saristocracy" of the South Such expressions were quite common among low fellows who lodged conscrip- tion-more common than among the peo- tple of the North.
 Using the word in its more odious sense, the "aristocracy" of the South has been badly broken down by the destruction of property. If the word "aristocrats" is understood as meaning merely those raised above the necessity of labor or care by wealth, then it cannot be denied that when their property was destroyed such aristocrats became as little, or less, than their working neighbors. We know well enough that there were in all parts of our States very many persons who had little ito pride themselves upon aside from their property, who lacked education, refinement and all the adjuncts of high civilization, yet who boasted of their wealth and exacted the deference of the less favored. Many ofthem were of the loud-mouthed school of citizens, who did and said much to bring about the hostile feceling which eventually caused war, and who did very little towards carrying on the war which they had aided in inaugurating. But these men and their families were not the Southern "aristocracy" in any just sense of the term They are not of the "best and highest" of our Southern citizens. If 1t is thought proper to class as aristocracy those who were recognized as best and noblest, the leaders in society, the guide in public affairs, the patrons of taste, the heirs of ancestral responsibility, the supporters of noble characters, the founders of schools the builders of churches, the exemplers of female excellence and the upholders of honor--if such were our aristocrats, then we deny that the war has destroyed our aristocracy. Their numbers are thinncd, for many scions of stock, made noble by virtue and excellence, have been cut off, The wealth which was to them means of benefcence, it Is true, has been destroyed. War has swept over their homes. The happy dwellings where hospitality was dis pensed are, many of them, in ruins. Plantations are covered with weeds; a tangled, rank undergrowth has usurped garden walks and invaded flower beds 1; cold ashes of burnt houses cover many cold hearthstones, and idle weeds are creeping over the gray ash-heaps. The ssire storm of ruin" has been everywhere, and very mnch of what man had done to beautify and enrich our Southern land, has, by the hand of man been undone. But the storm that swept away the wealth of good and worthy people has left un- scared and unstained that better and higher wealth which adorned prosperity and now clothes adversity with honor We some times think that the war, which developed so often the latent seeds of unknown qualities, has produced higher and healthier pride of character, higher esti- mate of moral worth and mental excellence a higher worship of honor, a deeper regard for female worth, more reverent filial love, more earnest affection among sur viving kindred, heartier love among the friends who are left.
 Before the war, as now, the pride and boasts of the South were her true women and her trusty men. Her greatest wealth now lies in the noble character of her best citizens. These make up an aristocracy such as was never based on wealth, and such as misfortune and loss can never de- stroy- New Orleans Crescent.