New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-10

ineXDerience ana festOTeu 'hei ioftune4
Southern men, who live either in the old
mansions or in the new houses provided
for them by modern architects. are proud
of the pluck, endurance. courage and prac-
teal efficiency which they have shown The ex-,
perience which has been gained in workaday
world has broadened their minds, promoted toll
erance Of opinion and deepened their respect for
the resources Of manhood.
The old houses I'm town or country are still re-
garded with affection by swarms OF negroes who
were once slaves. There is peculiar relation
existing between the old negroes and their former
masters, and neither emancipation nor the lapse
Of time. nor political agitation, has impaired Its
binding force. The plantaton-house' where odd
master" and "old missus' are still living Is
looked upon by gray-headed negroes as IN real
sense their own home. They always expect to be
invited 10 the family festivities at Christmas
time and 10 return to their cabins laden with
nresents II they arc In trouble, they turn first
TO "the Colonel at the hall for assistance and
relief An old negro who was run over on
railway gasped out In his dying moments that
ne wanted to see the Major and then LETT
last message for him. II wanted to ask him ne
said "lf he wouldn't keep an eye on my OLD lady
when | am gone" That was an Illustration OF
the sympathetic relations prevailing between
former slaves and their masters. The dying
negro knew that the former master was the only
one who would do anything for the relief Of the
old colored woman.
There are many exceptions TO the RUE Oue
ordinarily there is kindly feeling existing be-
tween former slave-owners and the negroes VINO
once belonged to them. The old names are re-
tained "Massa George smiles upon Uncle
Ned; and fororn Lean bereft Of favorite
grandchild, wends her way to the half to talk
IL over with "missus' and TO be comforted In
her affiictlon with the gift Of an old bonnet and
black silk handkerchief. In a little while all
these associations between the races VIII be
broken Off The rising generations OF planters
and negroes have no relations OF sympathy arls-
ing from slavery conditions. The old negroes
alone have any claim upon the great housess
and they rapidly passing from the plantatou
scene But while this is true-and there is
prevailing prejudice in the South against tho
Young niggers" as a worthless class. inferior to
the sIavery-trained negroes-there IL gradual
growth Of tolerance and charity, and an IN"
oreasing disposition 10 deal justly with the oacS
man. The tenants OF the great houses are Dee
ginning 10 believe that they have IN their negro
labor a working force which is more trustworthy
and economical than any body OF workers IN tns
North With this increased valuation OF negro
labor there is a kindlier and more indulgent iees
ing for the race.
There was a decade after the war when North~
ern visitors were not welcomed in the old Soutns
ern houses but resentments and bitterness have
passed and there IS now an era OF good Ise..s.
4 Southerners instincts are too keen ana trus
I'm matters OF hospitality 10 allow him 10 wouh1
by acrid political comments the feeling OF any
one whom he en'ertains. Moreover. ne mas e
gained large measure or his prosperity ann
Nrds himself I'm closer sympathy with mon from
the North on industrial and National guestlohsj
and he enjoys an opportunity OF oisC. ,ortnss
publc questions with them \ visitor ente'Ins
one Of the old houses finds that his host listeaa
of avoiding delicate political ana secuohal suo-
iects steers conversation into the eyes OF mo
yy,,nJ While ne NAV be intense in his express
sion ~ opinions and frank and aggressive IN
manner he betrays no signs or bitterness OF ~
sion 4 Southern man seems 70 De posSes'ee
with the idea that men IKE hlins,I a. 49, a.,
understood in the North. and he never loses an
opportunity FOR explaining me inn..s i I'm.
cultips OF the negro question ana OF S't''ne -.
s,,f right He IS. moreover. sensitive IrSPeNNIs
his loyalty to existing institutions. ne 80 -
closes a discussion without declaring 1Nal =, OF,
, emergency Of foreign war or or ro'ous "u,u ,es
over labor troubles there VIII be NOR Ss.rrs
from the South than from me North III aosns
have caused great satisfaction IN Ihe 80, 80
fron, the evidence afforded Of the low peiNrn'as'
OF foreign-born population In me Co.tn tl"oI~
"1-So North has more foreign than native pooi,
! il a declaration frequently made ana ~.
! lowed by the exclamation. the Sou'" = Wv
| stronghold OF true Americanism' =, DaB
! perhops the finest tribute which can ue ~ a.
A.. ,hn arcunants OF the oh southern houses IS
| that they have not outgrown ther cn'' asneS
| feeling for women any more man lneil -" 4,
| i1aas about hospitality The talk apout 49,, ,.na,t
sn"Sneroons and in the clubhouses Is hisher ans
nuror in tone there than IT - IN the soct ana
! ie among southern men a feelihH 81 iesp vrbt"h
nIrnst ~ reverence for the opposite sex WIZ
tends to purify me social a!mosphere Of bo tne S,s ~.
houses The follies of the dueno na ro ~ longer
S cbnr matters Of high tragedy or OF low soca Ia.
burIesque; but there is one thing when ~ ru.
slfc for any man to do in me ptSss,0, ,rogatory
| s,t,.bo~rer That is IN say anything hetosas,'
| - tbe dignity or purity Of southern To' ,|m.
| Tbat Is an objectionable ahront whi,h '"e WV
| chiyalry OF the oil houses cannot e""''N