The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-21
The EDITORS LEISURE HOURS
Points and Paragraphs Of Things
Present, Past and Future.

Ill ~ i'lH were interesting. OI. ,
] + Bruton OF Wilson, delivered the ~
dress. Among other good and eloquen
things Col Bruton said We note t.,
the following on the practical results D
tie war
The results d the late war have
proven fruitful Of good to Us, II J.
along this line ! would speak briefly
today
The late war settled forever the
question of secession It was settled
in way that was not, At the time. IL
accordance with the Judgment, q de-
sire, Of the tue SoutheIner. Yet. after
the lapse Of thirty years, the wisdom ot
the decision appears more manifest
Tie question itself was a menace to
orr progress as citizens and as q GOV
eminent, or governments, i'll the event
Of the establishment Of the Contedera-
cy Tie question assumed such shape
As that it not only precluded the settle
ment Of otner problems Of state, bit
threatened to block our progress as a
people Like Bnquo's Ghost it would
not down. Reason, political as well
a. religious, lost ITS sway. Only the
force Of arms was left to determine our
relationship our nations wisest men
4 ceased to Judge as hilosophers, or top
exhort as counsellors, but as rank
partizans rushed to the forefront crying,
TO Arms i,
NO one can declare the effect had
the decision been favorable to the
south But this We do know; a great
government was saved from dissipation
Though able to command the respect
Of the world it was narrowly rescued.
Tt was saved, not by the Union armies,
for they tailed III every instance when
they were confronted by forces OF prox-
innate equality. The God whose finger
had refused to run a natural line where
lis children had staked out the MasOn's
and Dixon's liae, thereby announcing
that ours was made for one country
saved from destruction Union than
which more strong exists, and whose
principles of freedom are destined TO
follow her glorious flag to the "bound-
ary posts" OF earth ii is well. The
experiences of the smaller republics
and colonies on our continent prove
that the weak must serve the strong.
there is strength. Strength commands
respect Respect assures protection.
The sentiments which reioiced the
hearts of the Fathers of the COnfedera-
cv are delightfully."- invigorating even
to their children but soothing, indeed,
to the same children. Americas free
men, are the protecting folds Of our
one flag. in these days, when Cuba
wailing lament is heard above the voice
of the waters which separate her from
our shores.
Glass distinction IN the South, based
upon wealth alone, received q death
blow hv the late war. II Is not neces-
sary for me TO review the conditions en-
isting before the war They are well
known With the class referred to-
merchants. large and small. were call
ed traders, the teachers Of the children
we're suffered 10 live. bat received no
recognition in the draWing-room. The
laboring men. with the exception pos
slbIy Of plantation overseers, We're
treated as mendIcants, and their chill
dren enjoyed no passport to the higher
walks Of liie The young men and
Young women of this class grew up III
the belief that labor is dsgraceful. A
Young lady was asked what business
her prospective husband followed.
What business? III have you to I'M
derstand that he IS q gentleman was
the reply. What with the soft muscle
and limited brain callbre resulting from
such conditions, our beautiful south
land would surely. sooner OF later have
followed older countries in the avenue
10 run and nothingness. One touch
If natI1re makes the whole world KIN.
The scythe Of war left all on Level
plane. The truth was made manifest
The fest of wealth could no longer be
invoked. The happy forgetiulnes. IN
c,dent to labor was accepted py an
oiil-o IT became respectable to do Ia
hor IN the up-buildlng OF homes lad
vast bv the ravages of war. 1he schools
and universities opened their doors TO
the noor as well as the rich. Poverty
vas no longer crime. Ettemlnacy
or,ono certain classes OF young men
va. neither encouraged, nor tolerated
The ease incident to ldleness was no
Io,,,,o,. essential to the rank of gentle
man. The truth affirmed by Burns
was re-atlirmed-