The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-11-27
DEFENSE OF THE SOUTH.
Ia Holding to Her Race Prejudices
the South Obeys the Instinct Of

Ia Holding to Her Race Prejudices
the South Obeys the Instinct of
Nature.
The dispute between the North and
the South is not Sottled, and will not
be settldd, while the Negro remains.
The South cannot treat the Negro as
the North demands and the North
will not try to learn the reason. The
North expects Of the white race Of
the South what it is Impossible to
grant. The South naturally resents
this dictation from people at dis
tance, who are ignorent of the facts.
The contest is as irreconcilable, as it
was in former days. Then the issue
was slavery, now it is equa!ity-social
and political. Emancipation was
forced by bloody war. The Negro
became 1.-The ward of the Nation"
The white people of the South were
placed under the ban as "rebels." and
the struggle began, still continues, and
will last as long as the Nation exists in
lis present form.
All the dreams and fancies Of peace
and harmony between the two Sec
tions have been rudely shattered by
one act of President Roosevelt. This
is its significance 1t has broken tthe
truce of God" and sounded the signal
of civil STRIFE. l would not judge him
harshly. l think he acted from inn
pulse. am told that he deeply
regrets it; still, the baleful effects
remain. 1t gratified the hatred of
Northern fanatics it shocked the
possibilities of the Southern people
and it filled millions of Negroes with
vain longings for an impossible equal
| ity. The end is not yet. Why is it
that the South refuses to tolerate social
relations between the races? "Preju-
dice" say some. 1t is partly prejudice,
but prejudice, with reason, which
vindicates 1t.
Edmund Burke, in his "Reflections
on the French Revolution" alleges
that the strongest defense Of Great
Britain against the contagion French
ideas, was the invincible prejudice of
its people against intidelity and
anarchy, and in favor of religion,
virtue and good order. He points out
the value in human affairs of prejudice,
based upon reason. He says, you
see, sir, that in this enlightened age.
I am bold enough to confess that we
are generally men of untaught feel
ings that instead of castiug away all
our old prejudices, we cherish them
because they are prejudices ; and the
longer they have lasted, and the
more generally they have prevailed,
the more we cherish Them" He
shows that wise men, instead Of eX-
ploding general prejudices, seek to
discover the latent wisdom in them
and think it best to continue the pre-
Ijudice with the reason involved
'because prejudice, with its reason
has a motive to give action TO that
reason, and all affection which will
give it prominence" Prejudice stands
as an alert sentinel on duty. 1t is
ready for an emergency, and does moi
hesitate or delay. 1t has no doubts
''Preiudice renders mans virtue, his
habit, and not a series of unconnecteC
acts. Through just prejudices, his
duty becomes part of his nature"
), Let us apply these profound teach
ings to the matter before US. The
ISoulhern people have an invinciblt
prejudice against social equality witt
the negro. Is there a reason for thi:
prejudice? 1t would become the pub
IIicists and philosophers of the Nortt
to seek this reason. Does it nevel
occur to them that millions of intelli
!, gent and virtuous people, GOVERNS
: one third Of the area of the country
would not cherish such prejudic