The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1900-04-05
The Spirit Of Chivalry.
From the Baltimore Sun.

Although the days of chivalry
have long since passed away, its
spirit survives in manly and cul-
tivated people, especially in the
Southland. Its essential element !
is the disposition of the strong to
protect the weak, from which is
developed courtesy and respect
for women. It had its highest de-
velopment at a time when all men
were warriors and all women de-
pendents, and has naturally de-
clined with the development of
new ideas respecting the rights
of women and with the decrease
of the militant spirit among men.
But where women, though taking
advantage of opportunities for
education, have maintained with
a higher culture their gentle dis
positions the men also have pre-
served the spirit of chivalry and
exhibit it, not perhaps as the
knights of old, but with the same
effect. To such men a woman is
an object of reverence and res
pect. If they treat her as de-
pendent upon their strength it is
not because they regard woman
as an inferior Except in respect
of physical powers), but because
they regard themselves as her
itrusted servants.
The spirit of chivairy thus be-
comes beautiful expression of
the relations that may be main
jtained between the sexes. Man
may be the lord, but he puts him.
self at the service of woman and
treats her as his queen. The
tendency of the times is, of
lcourse, to break down this rela-
ton, and it has been completely
broken down in parts of the coun-
TRY where women have asserted
their rights, have undertaken to
do the work of men, have entered
Into politics and have rejected
1.-The offers of their male compan-
lions to exercise over them pro-
|tecting guardianship. The women
seem to have gained little by
their so-called independence, ane
the men have lost in culture ant
refinement by the sacrifice of tn
spirit of chivalry.
Nowhere does woman commant
greater respect from her NAL
companion than in the South
sheresponds by accepting his at
tentions and services with dignit,,
and reserve. She makes hersel
the equal of man in culture an
intellect, but preserves the old
time relations between the sexe
in all public places. She doe
not assume leadership or indie
pendence, but gracefully accept
the attentions of her male escor1
and he in turn is inspired by tn
spirit of the knight in the day
of chivalry.
The general result is the estab
lishment of social relation {
advantage to men and wome1
We may not deny to women VIII
Ks claim them alleged rights
Is equality with men, and yet obsel
Is walton of social conditions in tW
n contrasted communities - or
OF where women are Independent
In the other where they accept tt
Oh attention of chivalrous men,
rs shows that it is greatly to the &C
g vantage of women and of men
n preserve as much of the spirit
a. chivalry as is consistent vii
MS present social conditions, to Il
p end that men may respect ar
On guard women much as they d
g in the olden time, when knigh
n of old put their swords at the SO
zee vice of all fair maidens who stot
n in need of help.
de
-. Without faith in ones se
!, without faith in ones fellowm:
W and without faith in God one Cal
rec not run the race of life WHINE
rxy Tho ,,ooct 1niontod tho most dol