The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-09-11

don't like 1t, couldn't stand the new
way of doing things"
Now it would be difficult to state the
whole case more succinctly and striking
ly than as 1t was given in this little
chance episode at the accidental meet
ing of two old friends. While the "hos-
pitality" cost little trouble, it was free
ly indulged but, when itbore hardly on
the entertainers in person, it was as
soon as possible abandoned altogether,
and. when not abandoned as IN tine case
given, there is no doubt, if reports re-
ceived from all over the South are true,
but that the wholesale entertainments
of the olden time in the richer sections
have been modified and curtailed to
degree such as stamps them as widely
different from the so-called hospital
ity' of the past. And this, too, while,
as it can hardly be doubted, the scant
although hearty hospitality of the hill
country is largely what it was of old,
excepting SO far as it may have been
changed trifle by the events of the
war.
None can doubt but that with the
Southern people, as whole, there was
always less of cold calculation, less of
anxious looking out for the future, such
as stamps lines of care in the face in a
modern business community, than was
apparent elsewhere. With life present.
ing but few chances for varying greatly
the business pursuits of country, the
determination in amajority of cases was
to make the most of what was immedi-
ately before them, and, generally with
Eomore difficult problem to solve than
to get to Texas or Missouri when the
producing power of the land might fail
them where they were, they perplexed
themselves very little about what might
possibly happen in the far-off future.
And for the rest, they took it out in
fishing or hunting, or in the entertain
ments at one another's houses, as occa-
sion might serve; varied with pursuits
which came of much leisure, and espe-
cially study of political matters such
as made it at all times pervading sub
ject with that section of the nationality.
But whether profitable to themselves in
the end, that is another question.
Again, from their eminently-social
instincts and characteristics, growing
out of the favorable conditions for en-
tertaining one another whether in the
highlands or lewlands, it resulted TINS
from their camp; meetings and many po-
itical gatherings, whole counties and
even much larger communities came to
be known one to another with minute
ness of detail hardly to be imagined
elsewhere. So it was, then, that from
this peculiar condition of affairs indi-
viduals and families came to have a
warm and abiding interest in each other.
shown whenever any of the ordinary
affections or vicissitudes of life called
for sympathy; and thus when the war
was adroitly initiated by the politicians,
largely as fierce and dominating serlti-
Tent, it was next to impossible but
that, if one State or section enlisted in
the conflict, the rest must do se-@toe.,
In all this, it was-we repeat-perhaps
more a feeling of devoted fellowship, OF
strong brotherhood, than of recognized
and true expediency or wisdom.
The institution adverted to above,
the camp-meeting, which brought SO
many together periodically in many
sections, was one great auxiliary to
fellowship, I repeat. 1t was with vast
numbers the one great event of the
year; and, although the institution pc
culiarly of one denomination, it was
so generally participated in that there
were few people of any community who
did not make it the occasion of visit
and a renewal of kindly expressions and
feelings, such as in merely commercial
or trading communities there has been
hitherto much less chance for ex-
preston.
Then, again, with considerable de-
nomination down there, there was an
other Institution or custom, which, al
though not of extended usage, could
only mean closeness of religious fell
'lowship, hardly known in other sections
of the Union. 1 refer to the feet
washing" ceremonial or usage among the
Baptists, in literal and presumed-need.
full obedience of the divine command
"Ye ought also to wash one another's
feetp
Not, as intimated already, very ex.
tensively entered into, it is yet the
sign and exponent of an earnest re,
igious fellowship, and sincere deter
mination to obey the written inJunc
ton, such as must command respect
even from those who question on Other
grounds the necessity and propriety o.
it as church or religious ordinance.
wife, tomorrow is foot-washine
Sunday!" used to be the announcement
and intimation made on Saturday night
by devout old gentleman of that de
nomination, as signal for requiring
the warm water and other Gppur
tenances for putting his feet in goot
condition to be a second time washed
in the church and congregation; ant
when is added that, without doubt
others were in the same manner carefu
to have the ceremony performed so a
to be excepted as little as possible, til,
women publicly washing each other
feet, the men performing the same offic,
for one another, so as to provoke nj
caviing, it may be easily understood
that those who might attend on the oc
casion to secretly mock or to smil
would see but little cause for either.
These, then, were some of the sym
pathetic causes which, beginning wit
"hospitable usages and customs, hav
resulted in giving the people of tn
South very fierceness of FELLOWSHIP
not always appreciated or understood
by the world at large, and made ther
sensitive, especially when their warmtl
of feeling, their generosity or hospital
ity are thoughtlessly impugned.
And out of ali this, let me furthe
say, has grown readiness to stand b
friend" in whatever trouble, that ha
had many a tragic manifestation an
illustration in the desperate famil
feuds and fights in many places, onl
paralleled by the savage vendettas c
the Italian communities. This, on ON
occasion-although might indicat
numerous other cases-was raths
queerly, although fortunately only IL
dicrously illustrated, during nigh
ride I once took in a stage-coach i
East Tennessee.
Before reaching leading cross-roa
and stage-station, and during the aftel
noon being alone IN the coach, I wa
joined by remarkably sturdy-lookin