Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-09-17
For the Spectator.
Social View of Texas.


elusive. There is but one universally acknowl
edged sine qata non in their society; T. e., good
behavior. ''Fastness is not countenanced in
either sex. During the war there was a tempo
rary relaxation in this regard as far as the infu
ence of military headquarters extended but,
even then, the tone of Texas society did not re-
lax to the lamentably low standard of Mn
one of our oldest Southern States. Now, how
ever, there are few, if any, traces of military
decentralization. At the close of the war, society
rapidly re- asserted this demand for reserved
department between the sexes; and to-day, its
standard of social decorum is as rigid as that of
any State in the Union.
There are positively no castles or clique in
Texas society until within a few years, Ger
mans and Mexicans, Frenchmen and Americans
mingled in all their manly sports and even in
their public festivities. Church distinctions are
here ignored, for two reasons. First, worldly
pressure, against them all, forces them to make
common cause, as. a common enemy. Second,
the wealth and intelligence of the State are so
decidedly in the hands OF those churches that
are democratic; that any Church disposed to
erect claim of aristocracy, inits religion, would
have to reckon without its host. The idea of
propagating its creed by segregating to itself
the fashion and wealth of this world, and eX-
Guiding from It's society all who refuse to enter
its communion, has not been as yet adopted by
superiority to Texan is vulgar among chris
tians, it is a scandal on religion. Hence the
attempt to arrogate claims of aristocracy by any
Church, would be derided, among them, as a
falsehood in fact and selfish prostitution of re-
ligon to mere worldly advantage.
In this regard all the churches have fair play.
Men do not stop to decide whether their dignity
can stand the discount (soclal) on certain de-
nominational associations. Erasmus would have
fallen into ignomlny, among Texans, Tor his
todysm; while Luther and John Knox would
have risen, by their pluck and principle, to a
social premiership. Fair play" says Texas
to the ecclesiastical dictator who would prescribe
Church distinctions in social life; let shoddy
have full benefit of all the fnery and flourish
which his lucky speculations can afford, IN what
ever Church he may prefer and let no Church
be required to assume the hazardous RESPONSE
bility of guaranteeing respectabllty to all, whose
sudden good fortune Or ill-gotten gains have
just rescued from the purlleus oflntamy. This
is the language of the Genius loci OF Texas
Will the rapid influx of emigration reverse
this anti-aristocratic sentiment in society? We
think not Texas is as thoroughly Texan to-
day as in the days of her independence. She
will not exchange her free and easy manners for
the measured routine of fashionable llfe
The process of social assimilation is rapid and
complete; impressing their local peculiarltles
upon all settlers with incredible rapidty. Peo-
| pie from all the Southern States become, at
once and enthusiastically, Texans. Even the
| Virglnian, with all his inalienabe devotion to
the Mother State, soon catches the inspiration,
| and cheers the Lone Star" standard, with
patriotism as pure and profound as that of
Houston or Lamar. All but the Yankees have
yielded to this powerful tendency to social Goa
| lescence.
On the return of the Federal officers to San
| Antonio, Southern men extended the hand OF
social friendship to them but their advances
were soon checked by the insolence OF the Fed
erals. At party given In that city, by South
erners, certain Colonel Lee, (Federal), was
understood to be the guest OF the occasion. In
response to toast given In honor OF the salo
| Colonel, it was remarked that his name (Lee)
was one that was dear to all who were present,
and it was a source of unfeigned graduation
that toast could now be offered, IN which once
discordant feelings might meet and mlngle with
the harmony of former years. At this friendly
| association of his name with that OF General H.
e. Lee. the Yankee Colonel became very lndig-
nant, and replied in manner so coarse ana In
sulting to General Lees friends, that the toast
was not drank and, but for the presence OF
there would have been a personal rem
contre. Under the restraints OF the occasion,
General Lees friends could only express their
disgust by withdrawing at once from the party,
leaving Colonel Lee alone in his glory.
Let it not be inferred from anything that has
been said that Texas society is IN any essential
feature inferior to that of the States; (as
Texans still say, perhaps to preserve IN their
memory the halcyion days OF her independence,
when she foolishly coveted a place among the
States doubt whether any city ON this
continent has more refined, Intelligent ano
charmingly affable society than that OF Houston
All that culture of heart and head all that
travel, and familiarity with the habits OF oldel
society; all that surprising native genius anc I
abundant wealth can do to give zest and brllll
ance to society is there realized: should like
TO individualize some Of those circles, and pas
them in review before you. But, with such {
display, what l have said, by way OF description
WeuA hatten into commonplace earlcature
and. as the most charming figures In the groupe
both in point of genius and culture, are laoies
!, [ may not be more personal or mlnuIe.
, OfGalyeston society, l know but little iron
inside a~ne1iencc. It is comparatively ney
nIaca comnosed Of clements never as yet tuse'
i INTO q 6eGnite mould. 1t is questionable wheth
, M -,,eh elements are fusible for the four quar-
er . ~a-lA seem to have been shaken to
terS OF the glv~v nf by the men whor
gether there. Judgeu - 1T the city
; you meet on the strand or marts -'Hr
you would expect to find, at their homes, a
nigh order OF social life. But the fact is, thai
with all the requisite elements of good society
there is literally no social life in Galveston -
Social enjoyment is not definitely contemplated
by the community. Men regard themselves as
mere money making machines, and everything
must subserve that end. Liberal, however. and
public spirited they, undoubtedly are, though.
even IN this respect, Houston invariably bears
off the palm.
One feature Of Galveston is full of promise
for the future of society. 1t is pre- eminently a
church going community; and Sabbath-sc schools
are well sustained. This is doubtless better
expression of the natural yearning for society
| than parties or even social gatherings: and.
| hence our criticisms en- their social delinouen-
cles must be accepted as compliment to their
| piety.
Austin, doubtless, has its full share of good
society; but it is distinguished in Texas as the
stronghold of toryism during the war; and, of
course, was rent and torn, socially, into atoms.
Fortunately, however, the tories of Austin are
made of far better stuff than the tories of other
Southern States. Social reconciliation has,
therefore, been comparatively easy at the capt.
tai of the State.
Texas has been regarded by some as rendez-
vous tor all the renegades of older States.
think it may more properly be regarded as a
grand Turning Table on the highway to ruin
1t opens to the repentant cuprit new and pro-
missing fields of honorable and lucrative employ
ment 1t relieves him Of the frightful friction
OF overcrowded marts in older States. No over
bearing competition to discourage aud crush the