The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-01
SOUTHERN CHIVALRY.
Essay Before the Palmetto Literary
Society by Miss Maud HOllings.
worth.

The man ners and customs OF the Southern
people have been described frequently Tor us
and these descriptions are often the fabric oi
an inventive mind or the fancy OF an hostile
| Imagination.
10 many the most pleasing part Of the por.
| traiture, Is the ascribing TO us OF "pantation
manners" attribu:ing TO us deep and inher'
| tied aversion to labor OF all kinds, together.
with a, strange neglect OF the comforts and
epjoyments oflife.
Only recently q visitor In our State from
New Jersey, has pictured us as wanting In all
the luxuries and delicacies OF the table, and
has announced that the most benefcent in:
duence TO health and enjoyment are vast and
varied amounts OF hog and hominy, and
taste for rice, essential food, for mind and
body, and many Indulgences in these luxur.
les necessary TO fit Us for reflection and medt.
tatIon, but even then fail 10 excite to action.
None have done US the Injustice to say that
we were lacking in hospitality, and all are
agreed that Southern hospitality Is as broad
as charity and as enduring as the word ofGod.
Mine be the agreeable task OF reminding
you OF the action, patriotism and adventure
Rebecca Motto. and their descendants who
rule gallant and chivalrous race OF men by
q power stronger than all laws.
A people among whom the men have In
their characters something of the Hotspurs
and the dash OF the Navarres. Men who were
born In the school OF war and who have illus
trated Southern bravery and honor on the
plains of Mexico the fields OF Virgi MIA. and the
Islands of Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Phillip,
TO whom courtesy and amenity are innate
and natural, whose polish has no veneer
about IL and to whom difference and respect
to women has descended from father TO son,
for generation to generation, community ;of
men who are manly men. who bear without
reproach the grand old name OF gentleman"
and who instinctively raise their hats 70 the
man who breaks stones on the street, or the
woman who leads COW with halter
Those characters are no doubt inherited, +,
and can be traced backward as far as the
stock from which they sprang. and the IN
do with the manners and custom OF people.
In cold country the influence OF the weather
compes It's citizens to make provision Tor lts
severity, and necessity compels the acquiring
Of the virtues OF Industry and diligence.
With US the conditions are different. Here,
no stern winter comes to wrap the bllghted
leaves and flowers In winding sheets OF snow,
to lock the bosom OF our mother earth ana 10
"freeze up the genial currents Of the soul"
The fruits and flowers 60 on unchecked and
In rotation 80 that In due season we may enjoy
them. All our surroundings crush out all
feelings OF despotlsm and encourage feeling
of personal independence, and an aptness 10
speak, think and feel, as we choose, with none
To moiest. or make us afraid, and having no
no check but the law.
The spirit OF chivalry Is made manifest IN
many or our people by their descendant from
English and Scotch Irish stock from old
kniehts in armor and dukes In kits OF the
Gordon plaid, and from those who origin ated
the Tournament when many ladies OF quallty
and high rank were assembled, and when the
Queen Of Love and Beauty was crowned by the
successful Knight. The patrons OF shooting
matches and the lovers OF the chase.such is
our English decent, with none OF the oaoges
of inferlority and with no privileged class.
I have tried to trace Southern Chivalry
with many imperfections. know have not
overated It's Importance, Valor, fortitude and
chivalry claim our admiration, and nave
placed Il where truly believe 1t belongs, In q
great measure on the brow OF the Southern
Gentleman.