The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-03-03
and scoundrcls as ever went unhang-

t)!Q II ever occur 20 IUc OutlOOk
that | may be trying to reach darkest
New England with few rays of
southern sunlight? One of the best
preachers in Boston, a man of the
sweetest Christian character, a lead
CT oi evangelical Christianity, whose
sermons The Transcript prints on
Mondays was a Klu Klux clansman,
and at this writing is still unhanged
and very popular in Boston. Has
The Transcript moved to Salem?
Ny father is a venerable minister
OF Christ He has built 90 flourish
ing Baptist churches in Piedmont,
Carolina. in a pastorate of 90 years.
He is one OF those "desperadoes' and
is still unhanged. could give the
names Of thousand Of these "ruf-
fans" who are today among the mob
lest men in America.
The Outlook was founded by Mr..
Beecher to promote Christian union.
Will my father vote even to unite
with his northern brethren of the
same faith so long as such experts in
ignorance as the Boston Transcript
teach that in saving the civilization Of
the south he was rufian, desperado,
and scoundrel?
Is it possible to promote harmony
by lie?
I am no sectional fanatic. but cit
izen OF New York. with scores Of
warm friends in the great rushing
north Their support has given me
my success in life. This is my coun-
try-the whole Of it from sea to sea
and from Alaska to the Keys of Flor
ida I love the people of the north
and have promised that if God gives
me strength they shall know mine
own people of the south and love
them too. Is this crime? | am writ
ing out of the fullnes of life the story
of my father and mother and breth-
rem. 1t is an authentic human docu-
ment. In these books I am giving
utterance to the deepest soul convlc-
ton of 100000 southern people oh
this the darkest problem of Our cen
tury. Can there be harmony until we
understand each other?
You cannot "hush up" the history
of mighty nation. This is no dead
issue. The president of the United
States devoted his whole speech to
it on Lincoln's birthday. We have
not settled the negro problem. We
have not dared to face it as yet.
One of my critics accuses me of
buying a house and yacht out of the
royalties of my books. IS seems a
pity to destroy this fairly tale, but it
NAV ease his pain. l have beauti-
full home and a modest yacht, but l
bought and paid for them before |
had written a book. Yachting is
means of economy and health with
me. not luxury. My wife and child
ren are as passionately fond of the
water as I am, and we live cheaper
OF he boat than on the shore. May
| mildly ask if it is immortal, or even
a violation Of the canons of art to
do this?
Another critic is very angry be-
cause I do not write like Thomas
Nelson Page. How can I help it?
Mr.. Page has never asked me to
write his books. | couldn't do it If
I tried, and I wouldn't do it if l
could
Whether THE Clansman" is liter
ature or trash is question about
which I am losing no sleep. This
generation will not decide it, and in
the next I'll be dead and it Will rot
matter.
Nv ideal OF work is very simple
to do my level best every time, and
try to express my story in the most
powerful manner possible The most
powerful way is always the most ar
,;s;ic way. Tor art is the appeal to the
intellect. through the emotions.
H., % ea..c ,,,,, l,nnLc Is one Of