The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-07-26
"Sbe Said -, Did She? It IS Naughty
TO Say e..
Editor The Manning Times:

Editor The Manning Times:
thought word to the wise would
be sufficient, I did not think | would
have 10 reply to your article IN your:
issue of the 10Th. In justice to myself
I am forced to do so, if you will allow
me space in your paper.
First. you charge me with being SEN
sitive. If am we have quite a num-
Der of persons in our community who
are in my condition in regard to your
suggestion to persons living some dis
tance from Manning. One of as intelli-
gent ladies as we have in our commu-
nity said her righteous indignation was
aroused when she read your article IN
your issue Of July 18th in regard to
persons living some distance from Man
ming. She said.
Second, you are surprised at the
spirit expressed l know l am not a
Solomon. but am truly glad to know
while / am so narrow and contracted in
nv views that the people of Salem,
Sumter, Williamsburg and Orange
burg have to be dictated to by the ed
itor Of THE MANNING TINES how they
shall 60 to farmers picnic.
This article of Mr.. Appelt's places at
least some of US in an embarrassing po-
sition and may cause the people OF Man
ming to be regarded in an unfavorable
light. Since it has been intimated
that inelegant countrymen, among
whom we of the Salem neighborhood
are undoubtedly included, would not be
cheerfully welcomed by the household
ers of Manning, we could not afford to
present ourselves at their doors Tor
fear Of an unpleasant rebuff. Though
we lack in elegance of our clothes and
are not thoroughly proficient in draw
ingroOm manners, we retain the true
instincts of true gentlemen and ladies.
1t is part Of the atmosphere OF our
lives never TO intrude where unwel-
come. Further, we do not know how
much OF Mr., Appelt's utterances is OIL
cial. He is very close to the people OF
Manning. Is he speaking for them?
Are they through him telling Us that
they wish none of US. that their elegant
carpets must not be soiled by the pres
sure OF our brogans. that their priceless
valencines and torchon must not be
brushed by the cheek of tar, and that
odor OF the fields must not pervade
their rooms? Is this the message hid
den beneath the words Of Mr.. Applet:
We do not wish to do the people OF
! Manning -1asa-iiaj injustice. If this IS not
their invitation to the country people
to remain out in the fields with the cat
tie. it is but justice to them that we
should know it. Travellers feel no re-
straint in homes unless the surround
ings found in those homes are such as
they are familiar with. OF course the
boor in his rags feels out OF place amid
ladies and gentlemen of elegant man
ners in rich dress, and so does the fas-
tidious lady in silks fee! surrounded by
uncouthness and squalor. But between
the people of Nanning and those OF Sa-
lem. l think there are no such con-
trasts. They have been entertained in
our houses and did not appear to feel
that they were STOPPING to enter our
doors. At any rate We did not recog-
nize it as an act of condescenslon on
their part, and in their houses we
would not feel that we were above our
sphere.
Respectfully.
r. Z. SMITH,