The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-11
"UNADULTERATED ToMFOOLIsH-
NESs.Y

The recent editorial in The News
and Observer protesting against the
return to frummery and millinery dis
play at the University of Virginia, fol-
lowing the unwise example of the Uni
versity of North Carolina, has been
widely commented upon. In most
quarters this comment has been favor
able, but in others it has been unfa-
vorable. AS showing that this papers
view is entertained by other journal
lists, the following vigorous and sem
sible article by Peter Pechin" in the
May number of the Southern Farm
Magazine, has been called to our at
tention. 1t is so good we make room
here for it:
millinery and Reverence.
"Rt, Hon. James Bryce, NJ p, who
faVors the world at irregular intervals
with observations upon America more
or less narrow and absurd, found on
his recent literary trip to the United
States that reverence for the past and
desire to maintain every sort of con-
nectiOn with it has now become a
strong and growing force among 'edu-
Gated people, He says in The Out
look:
"A slight but significant illus
tration of the changed attitude
may be found in the disposition
to expect university and Gin some
places) judicial officials to wear
on formal occasions an official
dress. Thirty years ago no such
dress was worn by any function
airy in the United States except the
judges of the Supreme Court sit
ting at Washington"
This is a thoroughly characteristic
observation of Mr.. Bryce. His views
of American life are obtained largely
through the spectacles of club deni-
zens or of members of the little groups
of mutual incense-burners who con-
tribute to the gayety of nations. His
recent trip to the United States has
undoubtedly brought him in touch
with manifestations which Americans
of the plain, fashioned, common
sense stamp. filled with real reverence
for the past, regard as bowling farces.
He has undoubtedly come into contact
with the unique revival of barbarian
ancestor worship, emphasized in va
riOuS organizations of Sons OF This and
Daughters of That, with their pedi
grees and their millinery, and con-
cerned moro with the supposed dis
tinction' they themselves gain than
with the real meaning of the deeds
of their ancestors. They are of a
class which substitute worship Of the
bunting and cOlors in the flag for rev.
erence for the principles which the
flag should typify. These individuals
deal only to a limited extent with the
millinery of effeminGcy, which is, after
all, but the affiction of the moment.
The wholesale inclination is epidemic
among a little group of college presi-
dents which have been for the past
five or six years swapping Ii. DIS,
ID. Ds., Phi. DS. MAS, DC. Is. and other
'honors.' to the utter cheapening of
the significance of academic degrees
won deservedly through scholarly
achievement, and have gotten into the
habit of garbing themselves in gowns
with vari-cOlored cheVrOns, hoods, rib
hons and other trumpery for the
delectation of the female element DOM
mating the functions where they are
the principal attractions, the female
element to which most of their ora
tory is addressed. Some of them even
go around to the photographers and
pose in their millinery for publication
ia The daily prints. But common
sense does not call that an indication
of reverence for the past. 1t correctly
characteTizes it as plain, unadulterated
q more strenuous ad-
jective not being permitted in the
presence of ladies.