The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-07-26
MRS. w. Fl. FELTON,
WRITES OF SOUTHERN WOMEN BE-
FORE AND .dFTER TIE VAR,
Which Revoiuti"ned Observation-Disclosures
ny Was the Goal of Woman's Exis-
tence Forty Years Ago.


ton, who declared. "A woman's noblest sta
lion is retreat" In proportion 90 s"ut'''~a
gentlemen We're ambitious In politics, pro-
gressive i'll scientific literature or .hIlt,, III
Oratory, the southern ladies became retiring
and reticant in every public endeavOr or
humane organization.
The wife and mother were like plants in
the deep forest. Their softness and depend
ence were derived from the shade. A
woman's home was the center as well as
the circumference of her efforts for civili-
cation or humanity. Literary students We're
allowed 10 read a graduating essay, but
this ceremony resembled the taking of the
veil III one particular, for it was the last
appearance in that role of the young lady
graduate. Thereafter she became obedient
30 the Pauline injunction. and kept silence
an the churches or on the rostrum.
II they developed into spinsters or 'od
maids they had nothing to do in the world,
unless they took to pets or became plous
and read their Bible. Matrimony was the
goal of the average woman's existence;
that object being successfully accomplished,
she then devoted herself to her children or
10 the training of her numerous servants
during the remainder of her life. Their
world was perhaps Il narrow one, but the
great majority of women knew no other
If they exhibited or possessed any surplus
Industry or energy, it expended itelf in fancy
work. or decorations for their temple, viz:
the home. They tacitly accepted the ultl-
matum of Dick Steele, who believed "A
woman had nothing to do III TINS world
that is not contained III the duties OF
daughter, a wife, sister and mothef.
Their condition was perforce relative
one Life being adjusted to the wants of
Ssnl
for themselves. Being unfit, as they were
often assured. to walk the highway or HE
gloue they consented to sink their lndlvld-
ual cravings for additional opportunities IN
life beneath the will of their lege lords, ana
deferred to popular opinion 10y maintaining
the precedent Instituted by their ancestors.
The graudest entertainment OF the seas IN
irreproachable dinners, the best people as
glIestS-constituted the most prominent or
their social functions, and after their maids
had arrayed them in brocade and jewels,
their duty to society was discharged or
Sompleted by careful attention D. their
beauty and dainty manners.
RECOGNIZING the fact that they were made
for mans use only, the Wltes Will passed
into her husbands keeping on her mar
riage day, Ill company with the dowry that
her father gave her. When a far-seeinS
parent required a marriage contract, or the
settlement of property on his daughter
public opinion accepted the act III Il spirit
of protest. 1t was supposed TO imply dis
trust; it suggested Il lack OF confidence IN
tie powers rhat be, and was an all-sufh-
cient explanation tpr
cities that might occur thereafter.
She might rebel against any arbitrary
control Of her property, or protest against
the sale or spendthuft waste or
what her father gave her, but
she was careful to do it in
private. The Submissive wife was the laud.
cd helpmeet. SO loyal We're these women that
the husbands domestic peace OF mind WAS
rarely disturbed by insubordination, for
luckily, the wife could easily influence with
carcsS or menace with her tears. Public
questions might interest her mind III a gen
eral way, but she was encouraged to know
nothing and care nothing for The political
ISSUES Of the time. Having taken her
church gospel by proxy, or at st%ro1i d, ndt,
she could easily transmit her responsibility
as q patriot 10 the head of the family.
Fifty years ago. while 81 Methodist woman
was occasionally tolerated for making
prayer in the churches, she was always
considered rara avis. No doubts We're in
dulged as to the piety of such lnnoyators,
still the effort was frOwned upon by church
men and lay members alike. A political
speech would have completely oStracsed
tie good woman. 4 remuneration OF all
rights" that was as absolute as it was
universal, became the distinctive attribute
of these tenderly raised and delicately nur-
$ured southern maTons, aud it was not
confined to the rich or Wel-to-do people of
the country, for the poor or cracker class
We're equally as careful of this womanly
prerogatiye Of silence according 10 81.
Paul, and the dictum of the Lords Of crea-
ton" The house servants initiated their
mistTesSes in many things not related to
the kitchen or nursery. The manners of
the "mauna,' WHO might be as black as
her masters hat, made decided impress
upon the training Of the white children.
Commend us to n be-turbaned southern
nurse, grown griZzlcd in the service, for
paralyzing dignity and ante-bellum Ell
quette, AS Il rule they looked down upon
what they termed ''po' white trash" Their
own physical conditions We're superior,
They fed from the masters table, sharing
che luscious aud dainty food of the family.
They Travelled when the others went
abroad, or summered at the springs, in con-
tent and general luxurious living. There was
no interruption in their apprenticeship from
youth TO age. The materials used i'll their
culinary departments We're of the best and
In wasteful abundance, and no wonder is it
that the fame OF these coored southern
cooks became national. To be called in at
the close of fine dinner and introduced
Dy her mistress as the architect of the
spread was glory enough for one day,
even to be handed down to dusky posterity
especially if requested to drink her own
health IN a generous goblet of wine.
Among the Crackers Or poor whites,
there was plain, close, every day toll and
simple manners. Occasionally q son in the
an inmate of the planters family, thus edu-
eating himself into superior more eX-
tended ac4uaiatanceship with books and pol
lshcd society. He generally expended his
savings III the purchase of slaves and land.
Then he could reach up to society so
called, and measure his ascent in the So
cIal scale by the tax returns and number of
his cotton bales But his sister generally
remained IN the old home. She spun,
wove and knitted as her mothers and long
line of grandmothcrs had done before her.
When she removed to her own married
home she carried her feather bed and Il
store OF quilts and covcrlets as her dowry,
and fulfilled her destiny in the same sort of
homespun occupations that she had learned
IN her childAood's home.
While it is true that decided line of de-
narration prevailed between rich and
poor, there was the utmost good will and
harmony Plain sewing, carpet weaving
and divers other remmeratiye occupations
brought the ready cash. and there was sym
pathy aud mutual consideration in times OF
SICKNESS or distress for each other.
but the civil war revolutOnZed the pre-
VaIllng order of things in the south Rich
mems sons and the brawny arms of the
poor mans home We're collected in the same
regiments and companies that enlisted or
volunteered; still The distinctions of wealth
and poverty prevailed until Apponattox
lsse curtain then descended on a four years