Morris tribune., 1890-03-05
The Young Men of the South.
For NORRIS TRIBUNE.
Bureau of Southern News,
RAJEI0H N O.

1880 L
be true in u general sense, 1t is forcibly |
true in the case of the young man of the
South. Does he hear and consider the
sound of going among the trees; the
note of preparation for future work?
Does he see and appreciate the move
ment going on around him, which
means immense development and future
wealth? Does he feel the stir and
movement of the day? viii he be
quick to perceive and seize the oppor
tunities of the hour? And will he
measure up to the demands and respon-
sibilities of the times? If so. then is
the young man the hope of the South.
We will not give direct answers to our
own questions, but will try to show to
our readers the young men OF the South,
and let them answer the questions.
The young man of the South to-day is
the product of one of the greatest social
, revolutions which ever affected civil
lied nation Tho present condition of
the social structure, and its condition
before the civil war, are as unlike as
q rich meadow well coated with clover
and grasses, and a garden showing at
the same time the most beautiful flow.
ers and the most noXious weeds. Be-
| fore the war society was divided into
two classes; viz; the poor whites; with
out education and refinement, almost
without the common decencies of life,
without wealth or the means to acquire,
and yet counting in the census and in
the political life of the people. The
| other class, consisting of planters and.
important business men, was fairly
| wealthy, with the means of wealth al
ways within their reach; they were able
to give their children the best ed4ca-
tional advantages, and to surround
| them in their homes with comforts and
luxuries. Both classes reproduced them
selves as the generations followed each
other, almost without change. The
poor whites remained poor whites, and
the young men grew up to be like thelI
fathers. The rich and prosperous re-
manned rich and prosperous, and the
sons succeeded to the advantages of the
fathers. The sons of the lower class,
without education, still were educated to
believe that they were to be nothing
more than their fathers, and that they
existed mainly to fill the gap between
the negroes and the ruling whites. Fhe
sons of the other class were educated to
and with the idea that they were to be
the future business men, law makers,
governors and presidents of the land
The two classes lived side by side, yet
far apart. They did not intermarry
and they were socially separate and dis
tinct. More than that. Generations OF
such life and conditions had made them
almost two distinct types of humanity
in personal appearance.
But the civil war came, and all the
men of the South of every condition and
almost of every age, were swept into It's
destructive current. The existence of a
common belief in the justice of their
cause; the common discipline Of the
camp; the common necessities of the
march; and the common dangers OF the
battle field, leveled all distinctions
Then the drawing together process OF
the two classes of people began. SINH
lar influences were at work at home too
during the progress Of the war. A com
mon cause and common suffering we've
breaking down social distinction, and
were drawing together those who had
lived apart. The close of the war left
all alike poor, and face to face with the
solid fact that henceforth they must
work for living. Labor had been
menial the fortunes of war made it q
necessity; its pleasures and its gains
have now made 1t honorable in all. The
conditions forced upon all classes OF
people at the South, still continue
though modified in some degree. AS g
result of those conditions new soeia
life has been evolved, and is now quite
we'll established. The upper class has
lost it's opportunities and means for ed
ucation, culture, refinement and luxurl
Gus living. The lower class has gained
greater opportunities for acquiring edu
cation and wealth. The children of the
upper class have manfully accepted the
situation, and by labor of hand and
head are working out their own support
and the support of those dependent up
on them. The defendants of the lower
class, working side by side with the
others, are forcing themselves into the
avenues of wealth; agriculture, bust
ness of all kinds and the professions
The present generation of the two
classes associate and intermarry with
out thought of former distinctions; the
physical types of personal appearance
are rapidly vanishing away; and within
few years it will not be possible to fine
proof of the existence of such former
types, except in those districts most re
mote from all changing influences
Social equality exists nowhere. There
are social distinctions in the South as il
the North, but they are formed IN Oil
ferent manner, and rest on a different
basis from those of days before the war
AS was stated above, the young man Of
the South to-day is the product of the
tremendous changes which we have
briefly described. He recognizes soeia
distinctions; lives in them; but not with
social classes. He is doing all kinds Of
manual and mechanical labor, and push
ing himself into all classes of business
into all the professions, politics and leg
islative bodies. He is ready to do any
work, engage in any business, or hold
any office. Whatever he does he does
cheerfully and hopefully. Young men
descendants of parents who were rich
before the war, may now be found
cheerfully and uncomplainingly per
r. Il LII