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Domestic News
March 6, 1910
Laredo Weekly Times
Laredo, Webb County, Texas
What is this article about?
F. Hopkinson Smith addressed the New York Southern Society at Hotel Astor, praising Southern chivalry while criticizing New York City's rudeness and materialism, urging a return to old traditions. (187 characters)
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MOST INSULENT CITY
The New York American says:
"We live today in the most insolent city in the world —the city of New York."
F. Hopkinson Smith, the author, eulogizing the chivalry of the old Southern gentlemen before seven hundred members of the New York Southern society last night in the Hotel Astor, deplored the conditions which he claimed prevailed here today.
"When, one can hardly get a decent answer from a street car conductor, policeman or an official in New York City," he continued during lull in the applause that had greeted his praise of Southern courtesy.
"Of course", he added by way of qualification, I do not mean to be absurd. There are doubtless thousands who are as courteous as one could desire, but it is not with them a matter of blood, as it is with our people. It was a part of our education. It as born with us and never dies.
"That old Southern gentleman when he is gone, who will teach us manners? My father used to take off his hat when he met a man whom he knew, not because he wished especially to honor the acquaintance, but that he might honor himself."
When Mr. Smith spoke about his audience having the "same feeling of exile" he struck a responsive chord. But he soon turned aside from his usual vein of humor and sympathy with Southern ideals to condemn the spirit of materialism that one finds here.
"Materialism," he declared. "is rampant. It pervades even our old-time social relations. Now if a man drops into the office of his friend for a moment's chat, he must gossip with a stenographer on one side and a secretary on the other.
"What has become of the old-time chat over the long-necked bottle? Where has the old spirit of old Southern plantation hospitality gone—the admiration and deference and respect for women—the cordial relations between host and hostess? All have passed away for the wake of the dollar.
"In the face of this spirit of commercialism. is it a wonder that the people of the city are insolent? It is time to stop and think. Let us go back to our old Southern traditions."
The New York American says:
"We live today in the most insolent city in the world —the city of New York."
F. Hopkinson Smith, the author, eulogizing the chivalry of the old Southern gentlemen before seven hundred members of the New York Southern society last night in the Hotel Astor, deplored the conditions which he claimed prevailed here today.
"When, one can hardly get a decent answer from a street car conductor, policeman or an official in New York City," he continued during lull in the applause that had greeted his praise of Southern courtesy.
"Of course", he added by way of qualification, I do not mean to be absurd. There are doubtless thousands who are as courteous as one could desire, but it is not with them a matter of blood, as it is with our people. It was a part of our education. It as born with us and never dies.
"That old Southern gentleman when he is gone, who will teach us manners? My father used to take off his hat when he met a man whom he knew, not because he wished especially to honor the acquaintance, but that he might honor himself."
When Mr. Smith spoke about his audience having the "same feeling of exile" he struck a responsive chord. But he soon turned aside from his usual vein of humor and sympathy with Southern ideals to condemn the spirit of materialism that one finds here.
"Materialism," he declared. "is rampant. It pervades even our old-time social relations. Now if a man drops into the office of his friend for a moment's chat, he must gossip with a stenographer on one side and a secretary on the other.
"What has become of the old-time chat over the long-necked bottle? Where has the old spirit of old Southern plantation hospitality gone—the admiration and deference and respect for women—the cordial relations between host and hostess? All have passed away for the wake of the dollar.
"In the face of this spirit of commercialism. is it a wonder that the people of the city are insolent? It is time to stop and think. Let us go back to our old Southern traditions."
What sub-type of article is it?
Social Event
What keywords are associated?
New York Southern Society
F Hopkinson Smith
Speech
Southern Chivalry
New York Insolence
What entities or persons were involved?
F. Hopkinson Smith
Where did it happen?
Hotel Astor, New York City
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Hotel Astor, New York City
Event Date
Last Night
Key Persons
F. Hopkinson Smith
Event Details
F. Hopkinson Smith, author, spoke to seven hundred members of the New York Southern Society at the Hotel Astor, eulogizing Southern chivalry and deploring New York City's insolence and materialism, contrasting it with old Southern traditions of courtesy and hospitality.