The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-07-04
BILL ARP'S LETTER.
He GIVES Il CHAPTER FROM THE
HISTORY OF QUE STATE.
The Aristocracy of Georgia in Anto-Bellum
Days-HOw tho Wealthy Lived and
Enjoyed Themselves.

Before the late war there were two dis
tlnct types of civilization in the southern
states, especially those states lying cast OF
the Mississippi river. They were the com
mon people and the aristocracy. While
these classes did intermingle and sometimes
lnter-marry yet the line was plainly marked
and seemed to be growing more visible as
the years rolled on. The institution of
slavery helped to keep it bright.
1t was not line between the poor and
the rich nor the ignorant and the educated,
nor between Shareholders and non-slavehoil
ers. 1t was not political line dividing
the wings, from the democrats, but never
theless, II WAS line that all Of these
helped to make and it gradually grew in,o
one OF social equality or inequality. Wealth.
education and dominion contributed to make
up the distinction. Either of these give
power and influence. All of them combined
will lift Il man above the toilers and COM
mand their respect as well as their envy.
Ihe arlStOcrats were generally gentlemen
of education, refinement, manners and with
many a sentiment of settling their personal
differences according to their so-called code
of honor. Money helped to establish this
title of course, but it was not absolutely co-
sental. Indeed, it was possible, for there
to be rich WORKING men and poor aristocrltS.
The results of the war developed many of
these. Our cities are full of the former
and they are generally the leading men
in business and in industrial pursuits.
The old time aristocrats esteemed
themselves to be gentlemen and general
ly they were. They We're of good stock
and thoroughbred and could boast of an
ccstry, whether they were riding or walk
ing you could tell them by their carriage,
by the vehicle they rode i'll or the meas
ured dignity with which they walked
about. This vehicle was rs unique as "A
Chinaman's palanquin. 1t did not rest on
elliptic springs but was swung high be-
tween four half circles and the dlckey or
drivers seat, was perched still higher and
the drivers be-crowned nat was the first
thing that came into view over the hill.
There were two folding staircases to the
vehicle and nobody but an aristocrat could
ascend or descend them with arist0cratic
grace. The gentleman who was born and
bred to this luxury was Il king i'll his way,
limited it is true. but nevertheless a king.
His house was large and roolny, having
broad han and piazza ornamented with
tall tluted columns and Corlnthan caps.
This mansion was situated in Il grove of
venerable oaks. 1t was set back 100 or
200 yards from the big road and the lane
that led to its hOsptable gate was emf
laded with cedarS lombardy poplarS.
Fragments of ccdars are still left but the
popfars died with the old south. They
died at the top, very like their owners
the old ginhouse with the spacious circus
ground underneath, where the horses went
round and round under the great cogWheeS
and the little darkies rode on the beams and
popped their homemade whips. Not far
away were the negro cabins and the Or
chard and the big family garden and all
around were fowls and pigs and pigeons
and honey bees and hound dogs and pickanin-
MES to keep things lively. The owner of the
plant was a gentleman an was SO regarded
I. ,N,Nl II,b nod h ,1YsrE
college and to New York and Saratoga and
came back and married another gentleman
daughter and settled down. The old folks
on both sides had given them start and
built the mansion and had sent over Il
share of the family negroes to multiply and
repleniSh.
Most of these old-time gentlemen kept
what was called "open house." and all who
came were welcome. There was no need to
send word that you, were coming, for food
and shelter were always ready. The old
gentleman called for Dick, Jack, or Gaze
ser to come and take the horses and put
them up and feed them. There was plenty
of corn and fodder in the crib; plenty Of
big, fat hams and leaf lard i'll the smoke
house: plenty of turkeys and chickens III
the back yard; plenty of preserves in the
pantry; plenty of trained servants TO do
all the work while the lady of the house
entertained her guests. How proud Were
those family servants to show off before
mentS in the kitchen, the drawing room and
the chamber. They shared the family
standing in the community and had but lit
tie respect for what they called the poor
white trash of the neighborhood.
In course of time this gentleman became
the father of a family and grew solid III
flesh and habits and hospitality, and, like
his father before him, he settled down like
all settle down sooner or later TO big
chair on the veranda i'll summer, or a rocker
by the tireSide in winter.
The old-time gentleman dressed well and
carried god-headed cane and II massive
watch and chain that were made of pure
old gold at Geneva. There was a seal at
tached to the chain-a heavy prismatic seal
that had his monogram. The manner with
which he toyed with this chain and seal
was one of the visible 81 gnS of a gentle
man aud was as significant rs the motion
Of Il lady's fan. The old gentleman's com
pany suit was Il navy blue sWalloW-tail coat,
ornamented with brass buttons; a PAIR OF
pants to match and white MarsailleS
waistcoat. When these were set off with
Il silk beaver hat, a ruitled shirt and a ban
dana handkerchief the visible makeup Of
the gentleman was complete.
The invisible sign was generally a mort
gage on his farm for Il few hundred dollars,
but he had a rich mans ways, even though
he was financially embarrassed.
His name was in the grand jury box
never in the petit jury box. That would
have been an lnulGnity tnaC ne WOulu nave
resented There was no line of demarcatiOn
between the common people and the aris-
tocracy that was more rlgldly drawn than
the one that separated the grand jury from
the petit jury.
The arstocrats held all the prominent
Offices and they were the generals, colonies,
and ma iorS of the militia. Most of the
professional gentlemen came from this arls-
tocratic stock. They were generally wings
in politics and were the patrons of high
schools and colleges, and stocked the learned
professions with an annual crop of gradu-
ates who were loyal to Henry Clay and
Fillmore and Stephens and Toombs
and John Bell and the code OF honor. They
had wealth and dignity and abundant leis-
is WISDOM and so these men became our
lawmakers and jurists and statesmen and
they were the shining lights i'll the councils
OF the nation.
OF course, they were not all wings.
There We're many distinguished exceptions
such as the JacksonS and Cobbs and Col
quits and Lumpliins who We're democrats
though Of aristocratic birth. Governor
Brown was. perhaps, the first illustrious
Georgia statesman 10 come up from among
the COMMON people and stay with them
and lead them rs Moses led the children
of Israel. His whole political life has been
Il fight against the power and oppression
that comes from wealth and monopoly.
The results of the war was Il fearful
fall to the ariStocracy of Georgia They