The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-15
THE THEME OF A CULTURED
NORTHERN SOLDIER

Did you fail to read that very re-
markable article in the last Sundays
Messenger, taken from The Chicago
Times-Herald and from the elegant
pen Of MI. H. s. Garfield, a northern
soldier Of generous and magnanimous
feeling?- If you have not read it do
not fail to do so. Our friend, Colonel
A. M. Waddell, said to us that it was
a surprising contribution to come from
a northern source, and was the best
and truest Interpretation "Of the
Southern Gentleman" that he a read
from any source. We agree with him
most heartily in this opinion. 1t is ex-
cellent and as correct as excellent. How
could Mr.. Garfield so grasp the facts
and understand the real character Of
the man Of the south in the days
lang syne, when he cultivated letters
under his own vine and fig tree-we
forgotten our Latin-in serene compo-
sure, reading the great literatures Of
the world, studying the histories of all
potential nations, ancient and modern,
familiarizing himself with the history
Of politics, especially Of Rome and Ath-
ems and Great Britain, drinking from
the unpolluted and refreshing fountains
of knowledge, conversing daily. with =
dead and sceptered sovereigns
who still rule
Our spirits from their urns,"
preparing for mastership OF any arena
upon which fortune should cast his
destinies in the years ahead. These
men were lovers of nature in her most
winsome and lovely attire, and famil-
lar with the past sought to know the
present with all of it's impressive and
exacting possibilities and responsible
the great republic winning fame and
usefulness where strong men wrested
in debate and the fate of millions hung
in the balances. These finely equipped
men
"The heirs of all the ages, in the fore
most files of time" 81.
to quote T~ennyson, believed in their
IlCd1l VI neal 10 III liz ICSClludIy IL
tue'' as we'll as in the known qualities
Of their nobl forbears, and being true
patriots ALL" they sought to uphold
the ancient honor. to not shrinking for
an hour from "the rude grasp of that
great impulse" they met the enemies
and defamers of their country and of
their south in the great forum of debate
and most generally came of winners.
Said that distinguished and creator of
superb speeches, Charles Sumner, of
Massachusetts,, in the senate Of the
United States, about 1872, "this country
vas controlled for sixty years by
southern statesmen. and candor and
truth compel me to add, they did it
with clean hands," A generous tribute,
and we'll merited, to generous foes.
The Messenger thanks Mr.. Garfield
for his admirable and manly tribute.
Where did he get it? How did he find
it out? Was it an inspiration? 1t is
verify an exact and skillfully drawn
portrait Of 1.-The southern gentleman"
both Of the "old regime and of those
noble and honorable men who may be
regarded now as in the days of DR..
Sam Johnson and Edmund Burke in
the last century as not in harmony
with the spirit Of the age"-the seek
ing Of "the almighty dollar"-the chief
aim Of the men of cupidity in a strictly
materialistic age. Wrote DR.. Johnson,
the man of brains and philosophy in
his once famous poem, 1.-THE Vanity of
Human Wishes"
New forms arise, and different views
engage,
Superfluous lags the veteran on the
stage"
But so long as are refined.
honor is held in profoundest reverence,
virtue is esteemed the chief ornament
of character, patriotism glows in the
manly soul, the sweet amenities of life
are practiced and woman's honor re-
mains her safest guard" and mans
devotion to her and admiration for her
ever offering her the homage and love
Of a true heart,-"woman, lovely wo-
man"-ref1ned, gentle, attractive, be-
nignant, full of all grace of mind and
person, who was "by nature made to
temper man." and keep him pure and
true,-woman, SO replete with bright
ness, purity and truth, eternal joy and
everlasting love"-so long Is these
things linger or prevail there will be
still a place for the Southern Gentle
man." in u generous and h~ospitable
land of the south, and he ought not to
be an unwelcome stranger in any city
or state of u country. Thanks to the
Gentleman" of Illinois for his gener-
Gus appreciation and words Of cordial
sympathy and admiration.