National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-04-15
KEY ON THE YANKEE.
THE LATE PosTMAsrER-GENERAL
Delivers a Lecture on His Cousins In New England,
and Concludes That They Are Pretty Nice
Sort Of People After AIl--Tho
Yankee Socially.

Judge Key, ex-Postmaster. General, lecturcd in
Chattanooga the other evening on the Yankee.
He said he had seen the Yankee in all the busy
avocatlons Of life, In every variety Of business,
political and home association. and Of the impress
sions so formed he desired mainly to speak in the
plainest and simplest manner. He would go to
New England to find in their town meetings the
purcst democracy In the world, and contrasted the
New England town. meeting, where all the citizens
met and took part in the local legislation, each
township, corresponding with our civil districts,
levying collecting, and expending its own taxes,
with our cumbrous county -court system. The
speaker spoke in admirng terms of the simplicity,
economy, and effectiveness of the New England
system its great effect asa
CAPITAL SCHOOL FOR TEACHING
The principles of practical government its free
dom from narrow partisan ends, jobbery, and
fraud; its pure business character; and stated
that the towns system chad done moro 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 impressed 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 dutlcs-neatncs', order and
good taste prevailing throughout her domain
pauy cannot take her by surprise" He told of
some pleasing incidents in his own experience TO
illustrate how women OF
HIGHEST MENTAL POWER,
educational attachments, social refinement, and
even of great wealth. took pride In their ability
to enter the kitchen and prepare meal lit Tor a
king or any other mortal" wealthy merchant
lad stated to him that he desired his daughter to
be independent In her own household when she
had one TO be queen OF the kitchen as well as par
ior and Tho lecturer commented: ''In the multi
fVtI4 Yf I'm artrlq nd nj 4
shonc in the diadem of the Yankee wife and girl
whom / have mentioned not one glltered less
brightly on account of their practical knowledge
and discharge of household duties, but, on the
contrary, added luster TO the light which caused
oil to beam with greater eilulgence.' In every
house newspapers and magazines were TO be
found. The Yankee reads both sides, and gem
orally takes two newspapers of his own political
faith and the best and strongest of the opposite
party, and IL always ready to meet an argument.
lio Is good natuied under the freest criticism.
They laugh at the gibes and abuse OF our news
papers and politicians, and continue TO manufac-
ture goods for our markets.
THE LECTURER DENIED
| the common charge that the Yankee lacks in
| hospitality. While not SO ditfusive and demon
strave as the southerner he is none the less ear
nest, and in his quiet noseless way, most careful
| kind, and considerate. On this subject the JudgC
referred simply and appreciatively to the consid'
Grafton he had received at the hands of ex-Sena.
| tor Hamllns family, in Bangor, as exempityinl
| the careful and unostentatious manner Of Ynnke,
| hospitality, in which instance the Senator had
|
| ing an ex-rebel brigddicr, had responded to tn,
| attack at Republican meeting Qt was during
| heated political canyass), and had referred to h
| guest in most complimentary terms, while neither
| Judge Key nor his family were allowed to know o
the incident, which might have marred their visit
until afeT they left Bangor and accidentally saw
| Mr. Hsmlin's speech in print. The speaker stateC
that no doubt his hearers thought his opinion of
THE YANKEE GENERALLY
favorable, and would inquire whether he had N
faults. Yes, he had his full share of faults, but IN
preferred not to dwell upon his faiings until h
had exhausted the good that might be stid of him
aud much as he had said, much remained to say
He told the anecdOe of the kind-speakiDg neighbo
Smith and his bad neighbor Jones, and preferre'
| to represent Smith. After having seen the Yanke
at his ilreside, his table, in his workshop, on hi
farm, at his counter-eyerywhere, he had con
cIuded that he is "a good fellow and he liked him
| ~ have grasped his hand, looked him in the eye
and said to him, Our quarrel Is ended we ar ar
my respect sympathy, and affection forthe people
this section of the country with whom my life ha
been passed, to whom ! owe SO much, and witt
whom the remnant of life will be spent. hay
| but extended the circle that embraces my kindre
| until IL includes Our Yankee Cousin"