The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-12-01
MisceIIausuus.
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LOOSE IDEAS ON A THREAD
BARE TOPIC.

Not many years ago the man
who mentioned a woman's name
lightly, or mentioned it at all
when only other men were pre-
sent, was accounted blackguard,
and usually found himself in trou,
bic. Now it is quite fashionable
for the names of young and old
women of any state or station TO
be handled by every man, boy
4nd nondescript who happens to
know it, with a freedom that is
enough to raise the hair on the
head of one accustomed TO the
former methods Of thought and
conduct. Nothing seems to be a
safeguard against this fippancy.
Purity and elevation Of character
or rank count for nothing, and
men who should be gentlemen dis
cuss their lady friends and acquain-
tances in bar rooms, or at smok-
ing, or card parties just as they
do any other topic.
This is demoralising and wrong
in every way. Too much reve-
renee cannot be shown a good wo-
man and her name, and every
departure from the profound re-
spect due both is a long step to.
wards barbarism and q blow at
the very foundation Of civilized
society. Treating a name disre-
spectfully, or lightly, leads nat
urally 10 similar conduct towards
the person who wears it.
Aside from the abstract princi-
pie, every man has a personal in
terest in resenting and discour-
aging any attempt to Introduce
the name of any respectable wo-
man where it will not be regard
ed as sacred, for common ssnse
teaches that his sister, mother or
wife will be the next topic when
his back is turned, and what may
be said depends upon the COM
parative brainlessness, reckless
ness or malice of the next speaker.
There are men who will coolly
slandcr G. woman when it is safe
10 DO go and the audience is kind,
and unfortunately instead Of be-
lug hanged or horse whipped, and
ignored by every decent man,
they too frequently receive the
encouragement of a hearing. Any
and every community would bo
fifty per cent. more peaceful, pure
and happy ifeVery such beast were
run out of it. A man can not
honor himself more than by doing
honor to women, and vindieating
them promptly, effectively and
forcibly on all occasions and in
ali companies where it becomes
necessary.
1t can not be denied that wo
men themselves-especislly those
of the younger generations-are
responsible, in a great measure
for the prevalent lack of reverence
for them. They fail to exact The
respect that is seemly and right
and forget what is due them
They are TOO ready to believe tht
modern heresy that puts the scxe!
on the same plane, and to waive
the rights given them by real civ
ilization. Thoy forget that there
is a broad and safe medium be
tween prudery and license, ant
voluntarily abdicate The high po
sition which true manhood ua- rs
signed them to hold.
When we come back 10 the sal,
rule that the man who handles t
woman's name lightly or mall
ciousiy is as much OF CO ware
and rufian as be who strikes be
person and when women them
selves exact the most profount
respect to them and the utmos
decorum in their presence, "
will be much nearer an ideal civ
ilization, and much more in har
mony with Southern tradition
and the Southern ideas that hav
glori6ed and ennobled the SoutI