The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-10

foundations Instead of superficial adorn- ments and supine action the intellectual sympathies and interests of these women were large. and they undertook with wise and just guidance the management of househol and farms and servants, leav- ing the men free for war and civil gov ernment. These noble and resolute wo- men were the mothers Of the Graccni, oi the men who built up the greatness Of the Union, and accomplished the unexampled achievements of the Confederacy. Know ing no position more exalted ana para mount than that Of wife ana mother, miniature empire. the training Of children and guidance of slaves, each one was as Caesar would have had his companion, above reproach and above suspicion; ana whose purity was so prized that viola ton of personal dignity was resented ana punished by all worthy to be sons and husbands and fathers of such women, with the death of the violator.
 Our peculiar institution of domestic African slavery in ante-bellum days cre- ated and nurtured class of women never surpassed in the world. A plantation was little kingdom, presided over by hus- band and wife, betwixt whom there ex- isted mutual respect, deference, admira- ton and love. In the household gathered respectful, obedient, loving children. Near and around were dependents who did not claim social equality, but rendered cheer full obedience and service, and were cared for tenderly from cradle to coffin. Those who dominated were intelligent, master full. patriotic: loving home, kindred. State and country; dispensing prodigal hos pitality limited only by the responsibility and behavior of guests. Among girls re- ffnement, culture. modesty. purity and a becoming behavior were the characteris- tic traits; among boys courtesy. courage. chivalry. respect to age. devotion to the weaker sex, scorning meanness and re- garding dishonor and cowardice as inef- faceable stains. Poetry and TO- hax Aox t,, Srt,t ,l rn1- ors the attractions and beauties of the Southern home, now of the irrevocable past When inequality was threatened and States were to be degraded to coun- tlefeld and every citizen was aiding in the conflict. the mothers, wives, sisters. daughters, with extraordinary unanimity and fervor, rallied to the support of their imperiled land. While the older women, from intelligent conviction. were ready to sustain the South, political events and the necessity of confronting prfvations. trials and sorrows developed girlhood into the Anxious women with willing hands and loving hearts rushed eagerly to every place which sickness or Restitution. or the ravages of war invaded: enduring sac rif1ces, displaying unsurpassed fortitude and heroism. Churches were converted into hospitals or places for making, col lecting and shipping clothing and needed supplies. Innumerable private homes.
 
 filled with tse sick and wounded. It was not uncommon to see grandmother and youthful maiden engaged in making socks, hats. and other needed articles. Untrain- ed. these women entered the fields of la bor with the spirit of Christ, rose into queenly dignity and enrolled themselves among the immortals. Energies, time, lives were given to the alleviation of the suffering cheering of the homesick and to the Inspiration of the hopeless and despairing With active courage, reso- lute endurance, cheerful self-restraint and exulting self-sacrifice, they imparted fresh of the laggard. and poured shame and contempt on him who shirked or sought the bomb proof. Day and night these Ininistering angels seemed as If they had made an exodus from heaven. Boundless pa triotism. courageous endurance, sur prising elation of thought and action were exhibited; and feminine tenderness was broadened and deepened by this self sacrificing ministry,