The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-23
THE SOUTHERy WRITER.
Why He Is Compelled TO Write That Thrift
May Follow Fawning.
Editor Times:

Editor Times:
Mr.. Carlton McCarthy's review OF
Virginia Long Ago" as written by
Thomas Nelson Page, Is well nut and
weli-timed. The most OF Virginians will
agree with The Times that 1t is pleasant
and delightful reading. Mr.. Page is a
gentleman and a genius, and a little
pruning and cutting back will do him no
harm; rather tend to promote n more
vigorous and healthier growth. We all
know, by this time. 1. e., all who did
not know 1t from the first, that he is one
OF the quality" and besides that we
know OF so many Of the representatives
OF the best and proudest old Colonial
names that are now neither useful nor
ornamental-Mr. Page is both-that the
subject has become rather fatigulng.
In too many Instances he's the whirligig
of time brought It's revenges for the poor
white trash" and the half strainer."
TO use much hackneyed simile, IL Mr..
Page would only pluck a few feathers
from the wings Of his Imagination and
stick them in the tail OF hts Judgment
II would be all the better for him With
all OF our faults, failings, AMI short
comings-and Mr.. Page is one of us
bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh
we Virginians all have ancestors, and
all who have sprung from honest men
and virtuous women have a right to be
proud Of IT, and those Of us who began
life without this great advantage and
are trying to do well have the greatest
right to be proud OF themselves. Con-
sequently, il displeases us TO have our
progentors presented as the subject Of
reproach and contumely. as we dislike
that the peculiarities and eceentricities
OF oui cstimable or inestimable female
relatives should be exaggerated by poetic
license and paraded In a grotesque and
ridiculous light before the public gaze.
The man who prides himself upon being
the descendant Of race OF gentlemen
Is under double bonds to be a gentleman.
The word fully interprets itself. He
should indulge In no thought. use no ex-
preston, perform no act that Is offensive
or injurious-except for evil doing-to
his fellow-man, but let the charity that
hopeth all things. endureth all things be
the guide and rule OF his life.
The criticism Of The Times upon the
character OF the literature of the South
for the last twenty years is just. There
Is, however. one mitigating circumstance
that should be accorded its full weight
In the consideration Of the subject. With
too many Southern writers-f refer 20
the writer's of fction-the pen Is the
bread-winner. There Is no demand or
pay for their work except among the lite
rary papers and periodicals of the North
All essentially Southern sentiment has
to be eliminated. In order to comply with
the Northern idea Of fitness. and In so
doing too many Of our authors overstep
the boundary. where love of country and
self-respect ends. and AFFECT compliance.
that thrift may follow fawning. begins
Is II not a stigma upon US that south Of
Mason and Dixon's line there is no
organ Of expression Of Southern literary
thought or feeling? How long are we to
be content with this vassalage even Of
ideas? Are we always 10 be provincial.
. subordinate and tributary psoplsi
u.