New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-04
CONCERNING CHIVALRY.

If man boast largely of the fact tina
his shirt is clean, we are apt to thinl
that his usual condition is one dis
tinguished by soiled linen and unwashed
ears.
If man whose breath is redolent Of
rum, and whose motor muscles, refusing
to coordinate, flare out in strange stag.
gerings, tells us that he is "gen-l-m, y
we know exactly what sort of a gentle
man he is.
If long-haired boor, half-horse and
half alligator, staggering about, I'M
kempt and noisome, protecting his un-
clean carcase with brace of bowies and
a gimlet knife, talks about the 'schivalry"
of which he is burning and shining
light, we know exactly what sort of
chivalry he means.
So when the Ku-Klux Democratic press
of New Orleans turns away from the
wretched radicals and entertains the pub
lie with catalogue of its own delicious
virtues, thanking God that it is not like
that Publican or Republican, but is on
the contrary delightful thing, refined,
so courteous, SO enlightened, we know
exactly what sort of refinement and cour-
tesy and enlightenment this Ku-Klux
Democratic press refers to.
For example, there has been teachers
institute held in New Orleans during the
last week under the charge of Mr. Con-
way That such thing should excite
the rage of the Ku-Klux Democratic press
was of course to be expected. 1t was a
new thing, and that was sufficient to con-
denim it. 1t was held in pursuance of
law, and that was enough to make it dis
tasteful 1t was held under the charge of
Mr.. Conway, and that was enough to make
it something dreadful, for Mr.. Conway is
a Republican, and Republicans believe in
educating colored children, and when
you begin to educate colored children
there is no telling to what dire results we
may arrive.
Now at the sessions of this institute
there was lady lecturer, Miss Morris,
who had been employed to explain some
peculiar methods of teaching. She came
because she was invited and employed to
come, just as Mademoiselle Edelsburg
came to the French opera, or as Mr.. Mil |
burn came to lecture at Odd Fellows |
Hall. No one could find any fault with |
her manners or her morals. No one could |
affirm that she had any politics at ALL or
# she had that she mentioned them, or
hat they were not Democratic. And she
was woman, surrounded by that divinity
which in all civilized communities is sup
posed to hedge the sex to which our
mothers and sisters and wives belong.
But she came from the North, and she
,ame by invitation of a Republican Off
,ial, and SO neither her tender sex nor
Ter blameless conduct could protect her.
For whole week she was subject of in
ult, and sneers and contumely by the
Democratic press of New Or
cans, the self-chosen representatives of
What is sometimes called, with depth of
rony which is fathomless, chivalry!
Chivalry The chivalry that insults an
unprotected woman. The chivalry that
waggers about and hiccups its claims to
eing ''gen-l-m." The chivalry that ig-
ores the toothbrush and is unfamiliar
nth soap. The chivalry that sneaked
uring the war. The chivalry of shreds
nd patches. The chivalry which, let US
hank the Lord, is fast disappearing be-
ore the progress Of railroads, of schools,
skilled industry and intelligent COM
lerce.