Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-15
4lnion aud AmrriGan.
SOCIAL cuASdEs n rIIE sOUrH.
from Tho New Orleans Crescent

From tho New Orleans Crescent
When the history Of the late war is writ
ten as il should be, and all its interesting
facts are made known and digested, what,
perhaps more than any other subject, will
attract the attention of thinkers win be the
effect produced by 50 wide a spread Of ruin
upon the subsequent morals and manners Of
the Southern people. What evidences they
gave Of heroism in sacrificing wealth as well
as life upon the altar Of patriotism-in what
manner thoy endured the petty miseries Of
poverty; how many families disappeared to
be known in the first social walks Of life no
more; how many of the children of those
who we're thus ruined became vagabonds or
prostitutes; how many showed that the en-
ergy and virtues Of their ancestors still
lived in their descendants, and resolutely
proved that they could acquire wealth by
their own efforts, as well as adorn the posi-
ton that had been bequeathed them by 9TH
ers; would be rather curious statistics.
There are not many Of our people who
can remember the instances of valor which
were shown during the recent war, without
a tingling OF the blood and an honest pride
that such men were Of the same lineage as
themselves; and yet, what was, perhaps,
more worthy Of admiration, occurred far
from the field Of battle-amOng men too old
and iniirm 10 share the strife, or among the
other sex, too weak 10 WELD the sword,
among those who resigned themselves I'M
murmuringly 10 repulsive and unaccustomed
labor, and who proved by their personal
example that honor is dependent upon our
selves and not on our station.
In every part Of the. South our people have,
as a class accepted the loss Of their proper
ty by laboring at such callings as their al
tered circumstances seem to require. We
have more than once seen the large plant
ers and landowners Of another day guiding
the pillow, or laboring at calliDgs which, at
one time, might have been regarded as al
most mental. We read Of the wife Of Gen.
Polk devOting her talents to teaching, with
no false shame; of Mrs. PErTIGREW KING
giving readings in pubic, which once de-
lighted only a select circle Of friends and
examples (if any further were needed where
woman leads the way) q men who have
forgotten past wealth and resigned them
selves 10 life Of undistinguished poverty,
will readily suggest themselves 10 every one.
Still there are many-we wish the num-
Der were less-who, from lack Of talent, or
energy, show that the wealth that has passed
from Uncertainties has passed neverto return.
We think we could point out to more than
one young man Of superior education, and
perhaps Of superior business qualification,
who yet live along nobody knows how, and
obtain their supplies nobody knows where;
who have made up their mind &c be any
thing, do anything, rather than hard labor,
and who are much more familiar with bar
rooms and the rendezvous Of the idle, than
with places Of business. We think it would
,r.f hr. i - a. E,I ,fhnra of hn
opposite sex who lived before the war with
the same advantages or disadvantages flor
an accomplishment in one station is posi-
tive misfortune in another) who have either
already settled down 10 a disreputable mode
Of life, or who will allow themselves sooner
or later 70 be brought 10 it. The trouble
with both classes is obvious. They are not
willing to labor at callings which they re-
gard as degrading-that is il is hard, down.
right toll; and until they gradually die out
or sink from the knowledge of their former
friends, by their incidence, intoxicatiOn and
vice, they will believe them selves justified
in resorting to any shift to escape such a
degradation.
There l. much more excuse for old men
who have been extensive property holders,
and who, having been accustomed to one
way Of living all Of their lives, find il inn
possible 70 grow reconciled 20 another. 1t
is natural that their ideas should not be on
a level with the times, and when We find
that they feel themselves destitute Of pro-
perry, influence and consideration, that they
believe themselves no longer of any use in a
country which has undergone such radical
changes. and that they grow suddenly old
OF decrepit we can only feel for them the
proioundest pity. Failure at that time Of
life IS most apt to be ruin and is accepted
as decree Of destiny. Whether IL should
be 30 or not, instances Of old men who have
died from sorrow or humiliation since the
war are not rare.
We know of no more melancholy study
than that of the decay of great families,
whether made so by custom or hereditary
right, as in many countries OF Europe, or
whether they have proved themselves great
by their virtues and services 10 the public.
A name that, like, MONTGOMERY, has
furnished a general in ezery generation
since the Cruzldes, we likeao see survive
the injuries of time, and there are many
living who would divide their last norsel
with any of the blood Of WASHINGTON, LEE
or JACKSON. a.ff a-tE lasla s.
Republicanism does not eradicate our re-
specl for hereditary talent; and whether
families 20 to the dogs from their generous
qualities or vices, or through general wide
spread desolation and disaster we never
cease 10 regard with interest the successors
Of those who have ever stood forward at any
time as representatives of the honesty, honor
and intelligence Of the country. We natur-
ally respect men of 4 high-strung temper
ament, who are ready 10 sacrifice their lives
rather than incur the breath Of reproaeh.
But this class must be Of the kind that show
their character by actions and not loud
mouthel words; and who are much more
willing TO work on the streets or levee than
TO do nothing or live upon their friends or
what is perhaps still worse, TO occupy easy
sineoure places at the sacrifice of their con-
science and self-respect.