The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-10-31
FREDERICKSBURG, VA, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 81, 1905.
REICNIEC QUEENS

That incident at Roswell Ga the other
| day was characteristic oi the attitude 0i
the old-style southern gentlewOman. The
last surviving bridesmaid OF the presi-
dents mother lives there aud on the Oc-
casiOn Of Mr. ROOsevelt's Wit was re-
quested to see him. Her reply was that
IL was his part To call at her house.
When told that il was contrary
To all precedent for the President
0l the United States 10 call at
the residence Of "A private citizen, she eX-
pressed entire Indifference. She knew
what her own personal rights and
dignity demanded and against these
official precedent was IL dust in the bal
ance. Probably the president inherited
his own independence and tendency u
follow his own head and impulses from
his Southern mother. These qualities
marked the Southern wOman-and for
that matter the Southern men alsO-Oi
past generations He made his call and
bow and paid his respects. apparently
delighted 10y the rebukr and the lesson IN
etiunette. and his stately hOstess con
descended To pat the president Of the
worlds mightiest people on the shoulder
and to call him Theodore.
The Southern WOmans way Was her
own. SURE of her own position, strong in
her knowledge of her own purity oi life and
purpose and allegiance 10 honor and
duty, she was queen Oi her domain. She
was her own Judge, guide and example,
placidly ignored the possibility OF any
superiority to herself in this world,
initiated aud sought favor from nobody.
Her attitude and course OF life were in
strong contrast 10 the prevailing coll
ditions ui to-day. In some parts Oi the
South. thank Heaven. she survives lu
her daughters. granddaughter~ and great
granddaughtcrs We yet thaye young wn-
mra who would be bewiIdcrrd by hesug
gcstion that they could be the objects oi
rondrScrnsion by any body onrarth. they
carry with them IN their mann"r and
l.aring the certificate aud evidence Oi
their regnanry. They rule and aroVrn
supn.me. calm and unrulilcd. by pure
power uf position. grace and character.
without effort or sell-nssrrtlOu. uu
/ thought uf question OF their supr macy
entering the minds of any who come in
contract with them To these women q
personnl slight would be- impossible the
Thought OF an insult 0r nnWarrantcd
liberty something beyond their nuagina-
tion. The idea oi being honorrd 10y the
attention or homage of anybody or any
thing in human shape would bea wonder
ful surprise to them. They are in vivid
contrast To the people who chase after
power and prominence and wealth, who
crave notice and continually seek adver-
tisement. The old-fashioned Southern
woman does not borrow hermanners, her
methods or her thoughts from anybody.
She il content in herself and has the
right to be. Keeping in decent touch
with the fashions and modes of the day.
her principles OF life and department and
her understanding OF what is due to her
self and by her to Others oi all degrees
are as firm and mistaken as theeyerlast-
ing hills. She moves through life serenely
empress. her crown ghtunquestioned,
accepting the reverence OF high and low
alike as a thing intrinsically hers.-Rlch-
mond News-l.eader.