Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-04-14
A Southern view of the Yankee.

REPORT of Judge Keys Lecture In the Chattanooga
Commercially
The judge then passed to the consideration
of the Yankee socially, prefacing his remarks
by saying that no man South had imbbed and
fostered stronger prejudices against our Yam
kee friends than he. He had seen the Yam
kee in all the busy ayocatons of life, in every
variety of business, political and home asso-
citation, and of the impressions so formed he
desired mainly 10 speak i'll the plainest and
simplest manner. He would go TO New Eng
land to tiud in their town meetings the purest
democracy in the world, and contrasted the
New England town meeting, where all the cit
izens meet and take part in the local legisa-
tion-each township, corresponding with our
civil districts, levying, collecting and expend-
ing its own taNes-with our cumbrous county
court system The speaker spoke in admir-
ing terms of the simplicity, economy and eff
fectiveness of the New England system; its
great effect as a capital school for teaching
the principles of practical government its
freedom from narrow partisan ends jobbery
and fraud; its pure business character; and
stated that the town system had 'done more
than any other agency to infuse into New
England that pluck, energy, activity and force
which has placed her in the forefront Of the
nation in achievement and prosperity"
The lecturer had been particularly impress
ed with the home life of the Yankee his
good houses, their convenience and neatness,
thorough repair, fresh painted fences and out
buildings. More especially he spoke of the
manner in which the mistress of the house
performed her duties-neatness order and
good taste prevailing throughout her domain
''She is always prepared for anything and
company cannot take her by surprise" He
told of some pleasing incidents in his own ex-
perience to illustrate how women of highest
mental power, educational attainments, social
refinement and even of great wealth. took
pride in ''their ability to enter the kitchen
and prepare meal fit for king or any other
mortal" A wealthy merchant had stated to
him that he desired his daughter to be indie
pendent in her own household when she had
one-to be queen of the kitchen as well as
parlor; and the lecturer commented: I'm
the multitude of charms and accomplishments
which shone in the diadem of the Yankee wife
aud girl whom l have mentioned, not one
glittered less brightly ou account of their
practical knowledge and discharge of house
hold duties; on the contrary, they added lus-
tire to the light which caused all to beam with
greater eEulgence" In every house news
papers and magazines were TO be found. The
Yankee reads both sides, and generally takes
two newspapers of his own political faith and
the best and strongest of the opposite party,
| anu Is always EchNll " lntbt MI hTkullbut. ne
| is good -nRtured under the freest criticism.
He laughs at the gibes and abuse of our news
papers, and continues to manufacture goods
for our markets
The lecturer denied the common charge
that the Yankee lacks hospitality. While moi
so diffusive and demonstrative as the South
erner, he is none the less earnest and in his
| quiet, noiseless way, most careful, kind and
considerate. On this subject the Judge re-
ferred simply and appreciatvely to the con
sideration he had received at the hands of eX
Senator Hamlin's family, in Bangor, as ex
employing the careful and unostentatiouI
manner of Yankee hospitality, in which in
stance the Senator had been attacked by
Democratic paper for entertaining an ex-reb
el brigadier, had responded TO the attack at
Republican meeting Qt was during a heated
political canvass), and had referred to hi
guest in most complimentary terms, whilt
neither Judge Key nor his family were allow
ed to know of the incident, which might hav,
marred their visit until after they left Ban
gor and accidentally saw Mr.. Hamlins speecl
in print.
The speaker stated that no doubt his hear
ers thought his opinion of the Yankee gen
orally favorable, and would inquire whethe
he had no faults. Yes, he had his full shar
of faults, but he preferred not TO dwell upol
his failings, until he had exhausted the goo
that might be said of him, and much as b
had said, much remained to say. He told tn
anecdote of the kind-speaking neighbor Smitl
and his bad neighbor Jones, and preferred Il
represent Smith.
After having seen the Yankee at his fire
side, his table, in his workshop, on his farm
at his counter-everywhere he had concludes
that he is good fellow, and he liked him
'I have grasped his hand, looked him in tn
eye, and said to him, Our quarrel is ended
We are friends = Ny regard for him in n
wise diminishes my respect, sympathy an
affection for the people of this section of tn
country, with whom my life has been passed
10 whom owe so much, and with whom tn
remnant of life will be spent. have but eI
tended the circle that embraces my kindre
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