Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/36

 20 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

offenders. We heard frequently of these parties, several of which seemed very active at about the time of our visit. What- ever of good the system may involve theoretically seems more than counterbalanced by the opportunity which it affords for irresponsible persecution and private revenge. We heard mur- murings against the practice, and the hope was more than once expressed that the law would be invoked to stop it.

Somewhat akin to " Kukluxing " is the plan of leaving let- ters of warning at the doors of idle or vicious persons. The community tries to protect itself in this way against imposition or moral contagion. So long as a family is in real need, neigh- borly aid is never withheld ; but once let the suspicion get abroad that a lazy husband is trying to shirk his share of work and depend upon his neighbors, and he will find a letter some morn- ing under his door giving him a week in which to show signs of industry. Failing in this, he will have his choice of a flogging or of being driven out of the valley. There are no poorhouses in the mountains. The worthy poor are cheerfully aided ; the idle are compelled to work or to go away.

I hope I have succeeded in giving at least a general idea of

the interesting field for social study which this retarded frontier

affords. Here the economist, the anthropologist, the linguist,

the historian, and the sociologist may find materials for special

studies which would be of great value. A series of monographs

on the chief aspects of this curious social survival ought to be

written before the life, now being modified so rapidly, has lost

its comparatively primitive character. Let students of sociology

leave their books and at first hand in the Cumberlands deal with

the phenomena of a social order arrested at a relatively early

stage of evolution.

George E. Vincent. Thk University of Chicago.