The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-04-14
Az ON PREJUDICE.

10 say that in very many important re-
specis the present people are not an i'm
provcment OH the former days. wen
not compare them But there were many
things about the old people that were
admirable. Their"old fogyism' had much
about IL 10 be reyerod. The gentlemen
Did great many things that wouldn
sui, rs, but on The point of honor they
were get on the hair-triggor, and gave
splendid manifestations Of the highest
manhood
The essential virtues Of Lee and Jack
son were the natural entail from our
dashing and reckless Youngsters ana oin
Virginia gentlemen. The ladies, while
not as familiar with mantuamaking' nor
rs much given 10 societies as those OF our
day, had a charm, and loyeliness, and
primitive grace that when. in any way
they impart a tint Of flavor the gcAticr
ones of our day, they make them seem di
vine. The four dark years OF the Con'ed.
crate war. throughout the South, we're full
of the CLEANS and brilliancy of classic
thought, and principle, and grace the
heritage from heroic Southern mothers
The letters Of those old people men
and women, are wonderful for their
grace and elegance as well as their Wis
dom ana steady and profound thought
Roman. Medieval and English heroism
was their study. History and high
philosophy largely after the Stole
ldeal-were their familiar and household
words. And Roman maxims and poetic
lines gave hrilliancy to their common
conversation.
Perhaps It was that manhood anc
womanhood were then Ia their calloN
state and character more OF less forma
tive that remarkable scnsiliyeness pre-
vailed. Then it was that men, like
Washington and his compeer-, would
scorn 10 seek an office, and would count
It q di-honor 10 DO the least thing OF
counicnance any act that should suggest
self-sceking or lime serving. such
charge OF iniimaton meant a fight. Men
did not care to survive with such a stain
upon them
And then the women They we're
kind Of goddess in the eyes OF the men
They represented the life and honor OF
the men, and liberty OF the least lacb
of respect to them was very serious
thing Woman, in those DAYS, was an
ideal. and very beautiful ideal; away
10 above the contact Of the common
world. Was ii semi-barbarismi was i
superstition that the lady held Be-
place. and was what tradition tells us sh'
was Then to talk of her in common
was dishonOrable. TO think Of her in
purely disgrace. Then to put hc
name in the papers, except on hel mar
rage or funeral, was fighting matter
or if allowed was counted vulgar An'
then. too. all that belonged 10 the house
hold was held sacred The ubiquitou
aud enierprising reporter was not The
about Now. Of course, everything he
longs to the public And our dearest Joy
and our profoundest and most delicat
sorrows are eagerly published to sa'ist
morbid craving for sensation. Sii
there survive among us individuals
families. and almost circles in which th
old prejudice prevails. Reporters kno'
them and respect their rights. They i
them blush unseen, and shed their fra
GRANGE in private and honorable lii'
Perhaps they are cranks Perhaps the
are of those who have resources With
themselves, who believe that the delight
of truth and virtue and good breedin
are very positive and satisfying who II
rard domestic life as too sacred for th
vulgar eve of the place world
who think that real worth and geniilit
shrink from publicity and display wh
think that the instincts OF the real gen
tieman and lady are very close Kin 10 Oh
highest conception OF piety-a lie m
with Christ in God.