Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-04-18

1t is doubtful if any one of the extreme
Southern or Southwestern States is so lar be-
hind the average civilization of the age as
the little State of Delaware. Properly speak
ing Delaware is not a Southern State, but no
greater insult could be offered its citizens
than intimation that they are Northern, or
belong even to the middle range Of Common
wealths. In all matters pertaining to educa-
ton, in public spirit and in average culture,
Delaware is sadly behind her sister States of
all sections, but noticcably distanced by her
immediate neighbors.
II has been argued by certain apologists
that Delaware is unfortunate in geographical
situation and political complication that
while by latitude she is Il member OF the CEN
trail belt, by sympathy and personal inter
course and individual interest she is more
Southern than anything else ;-possibly this
has somewhat to do with the present unsettled
condition of her business interests and politi-
cal parties but neither it nor any other cause
| can be deemed an excuse for the retention
| upon her statue books of a law which sane
| tions the use of the pillory and the lash.
| In ordinarily reputable communities the
| beating of horse is irowned upon. the strik-
ing of child exctes Indignation, but the
whipping of IA woman is deemed crime. In
Delaware, however, the active and public use
of the whipping post and lash is lndulgeu;
under the sanction of the law. Black men
aud black women arc to this day publicly
punished in the very capital of the State, and
within stones throw of the Legislative
Halls of the Commonwealth. But to their
credit be il noted that in the indulgence OF
this peculiar institution the citizens of this
State are at least impartial, for they likewise
whip in the public square, white men and
white women.
Senator Salisbury rather prides himself oil
the chivalry of his people, their pedigrees
their high-toned ideas, their scornful snifiin:
of modern innovations and their entire self
sutliciency; but he is careful that this prid
, shall yentilatc and air itself in the presenc
of the nations Senate Would ii not be quit
as well for the reputation of his State if Ii
J would devote some of his time to corrcctio
, Of this outrage upon public decency-thi
= blot on the name of his State and country
At New Castle, at Georgetown-the res
dence of Senator Saulshury-and at Dove
4 the capital of the State, within eighty-fiy
miles of the City of Philadelphia, the spect;
Gle OF ruilianism, is occasionally presente
S Tor the delectation of such as can witness
I and the culture Of the youthful chivalry
i the State, Quite century behind her 81
ters in much that indicates progress and II
tinement. Delaware in this matter is full tw
X hundred years behind the teachings of Chris
e tianty and the practice of gentlemen,
Nothing is more noticeable in the tone
the newspapers of the South, even OF thos
+ more conservative in spirit, than the taci
h and indubitable admission Of the presence
i nelp ideas. When we find the staid journa
:. lists of the Southwest and the fiery pugilis
oi Of the Richmond Press discussing the pr
/. priety of :. female suffrage" with an eyide
n leaning toward Il belief in its certain adven
it is with astonishment that we turn to a d.
a,r,rr nappr and read mn account of the |
as ennal whipping of woman in that Stat
Is So however it is, and looking now on I'll
. picture and now on that, we are free to a
:. nit the vast supremacy the extreme Sout
NJ ern States over Delaware, semi-Northe
lis State, in all matters requiring the exercise
Is common sense, or the recognition OF col
mon humanity.