The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-07-12
BILL ARP
Gives a Chapter From State History.
atlanta Constitution.

SS'-~'-"'"''~'-'
Before the late war there were two
distinct types of civilization in the
Southern States, especially those
States lying east of the Mississippi
River. They were the common people
and the aristocracy. While these
classes did intermingle and sometimes
inter-marry, yet the line was plainly
marked and seemed to be growing
more visible as the years rollec 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,
It was not political line dividing the
Wings from the Democrats, but nev-
ertheless, it was a line that all Of
these helped to make and it gradually
grew into one Of social equality or in
equality. Wealth, education and
do1ninion contributed to make up the
distinction. Either Of these give
power and influence. All of them
combined will lift man above the
toilers and command their respect as
well as their envy. The aristocrats
were generally gentlemen Of education,
refinement, manners and witty many
sentiment of settling their personal
differences according to their so.called
code Of honor. Money helped to es-
tablish this title Of course, but it was
not absolutely essential. Indeed, it
was possible, for there to be sich
working men and poor aristocrats.
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 INDUS
trial pursuits.
The old time aristocratb esteemed
them elves to be gentlemen and gen
orally they were. They were of good
stock and thoroughbred and could
boast Of ancestry, whether they were
riding or walking you could tell them
by their carriage, by the vehicle they
rode in or the measured dignity with
which they walked about. This We
hicle was as unique as Chinaman' $
palanquin. 1t did not rest on elliptic
springs, but was swung high between
four half circles and the dickey or
drivers bell-crowned hat was the first
thing that came into view over the
hill. There were two folding stair.
cases to the vehicle and nobody but
an aristocrat could ascend or descend
them with aristocratic grace. The
gentleman who was born and bred to
this luxury was king in his way,
limited it is true, but nevertheless a
King. His house was large and roolny,
having broad hall and piazza orna-
mented with tall Auted columns and
Corinthian caps. This mansion was
situated in grove Of venerable oaks.
It:was set back 100 or 200 yards
from the big road and the lane taat
led to it's hospitable gate was enfladed
with cedars OF lombardy poplars.
Fragments of cedars are still left, but
the poplars died with the old South.
They died at the top, very much like
their owners. Prominentin the rear Of
this mansion was the old Clubhouse with
the spacious circus ground uncer-
meath, where the horses went round
and round under the great cogwheels
and the little darkies rode on 5he
beams and popped their homemade
whips. Not far away were the negro
cabins and the orchard and the big
family garden and all around were
fowls and pigs and pigeons and honey
bees and hound dogs and pickaninnies
to keep things lively. The owner Of
the plant was a gentleman, and was so
regarded by the neighborhood. He
had been through college and to New
York and Saratoga and came back end
married another gentleman's daughter
and settled down. The old folks on
both sides had given them start and
built the mansion and had sent over a
share Of the family negroes to multi
ply 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 gentle
man call for Dick, Jack, or Caesar to
come and take the horses and PUT
them up and feed them. There vas
plenty'of corn and fodder in the crib ;
plenty Of big, fat hams and leaf lard
in the smoke house; plenty of t'lr-
keys and chickens in the backyard ;
plenty Of preserves in the pantry
plenty Of trained servants to do all the
work while the lady of the. house en-
tertained her guests. How proud
were those family servants to show off
before their visitors and display their
accomplishments in the kitchen, the
drawing room and the chamber. They
shared the family standing in the
community, and had but little respect
for what they called "thc poor white
trash" of the neighborhood.
In course of time this gentleman be
came the father of a family and grew
co1id in Apsh and bohits and hosDi-