The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-04-17
From the Report of Judge Keys Lecture in the
Chattanooga COMMERCIAL


From the Report of Judge Keys Lecture in the
Chattanooga COMMERCIAL
A Southern View of the Yankee.
The Judge then passed to the consideration
of the Yankee socially, prefacing his remarks
by saying that no man South had imbbed aud
fostered strongera prejudices against our
Yankee friends than he. He had seen the
Yankee In all the busy avocatoas of life, in
every variety of business, political and home
associations, and of the impressions SO formed
he desired mainly to speak in the plainest and
simplest manner. He would go to New-Eng
land to find in their town meetings the purest
democracy in The world and eontrasted the
Now England town-meeting, where all the
citizens met and took part in the local legisla-
ton, each township corresponding with our
civil districts, levying, collecting and expend-
its own taxes, with our cumbrous County
Court system. The speaker spoke in admiring
terms of the simplicity, economy and effective
ness of the New-England system; its great
effect as capital school for teaching the
principles of practical government; its freedom
from narrow partisan ends, iobbery and freud;
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,
ND
buildings. More especially he spoke of the
manner in which the mistress OF the houses
performed her duties-peatness, order and
good @ste prevailing throughout her domain.
''She is always prepared for anything, and
company cannot take her oy surprise he
told of some pie ssing 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 ameal fit for king or any other
mortal" A wealthy merchant had stated to
him that he desired his daughter to be inde-
pendent in her own household when she had
ono: to be queen of the kitchen as well as
parlor, and the lecturer commented: In the
multitude OF charms and accomplish nents
which shone in the diadem OF the Yankee wife
and girl whom 1 have mentioned not one gilt
tered less brightly on account of their praciea
knowledgeand discharge OF household duties, but
uii contrary, adoea lustre to the light which
caused all to beam with greater effulgence."
In every house, ne wsDaperS 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 strongs
ost of the opposite party, and Is always ready TO
meet an argument. He is good-natured under
the freest criticism. They laugh at the gibes
aud abuse OF our newspapers and politicians,
and continue to manufacture goods for our
markets.
The lecturer denied the common charge that
the Yankee lacks in hospitality. While not SO
diffusive and demonstrative as the Southerner,
he is none the less earnest, and In his quiet,
nolselesS way, most careful, Kind and CONSIDER
ate. On this subject the Judge referred simply
and approximately to the consideration he had
received at the hands of ex-senator Hamlin's
family, in Bangor, as exemplifying the careful
and unostentatious manner of Yankee hospl-
tally, in which instance the equator had been
attacked by Democratic paper for entertain
ing 81 ex-rebel brigadier, had responded to the
attack at a Republican meeting lit was during
a heated political canSassl, and had referred 10
his guest in most complimentary terms, while
neither Judge Key nor his family were allowed
to know OF tho incident, which might have
marred their visit, until after they left Bangor
and accidentally saw Mr.. Hamin's speech in
print.
The speaker stated that no doubt his hearers
thought his opinion of the Yankee generally
favorable, and would inquire whether he had
no faults, Yes, he had his full share OF faults,
but he Preferred not to dwell upon his failings,
until he had exhausted the coed that might be
said of him, and much as he had said, much
remained to say. He told the anecdote OF the
kind-speaking psighhor Smith and his bad
neighbor Jones, and preferred to represent
Smith.
After having seen tho Yankee at his hreside,
his table, in his workshop, on his farm, at his
counter--eyerywhere, he had concluded that no
is good fellow, and he liked him. II have
grasped his hand, looked him in the eye. and
said to him. Our quarrel is ended. We are
friendss' Ny regard for him in no wise dlmin-
ishes my respect, sympathy and affection for
tbs people of this section of the country with
whom my life has been passed, TO whom owo
30 much, and with whom the remnant OF life
will be spent. | have but extended the circle
that embraces my kindred until it includes
Our Yankee Cousin"