Only Southerners have taken horsewhips and pistols to editors about the treatment or maltreatment of their manuscript. This--the actual pistols--was in the old days, of course, we no longer succumb to the impulse. But it is still there, within us.
William Faulkner reflects on the passionate history of writers from the South in their interactions with editors. He recalls a time when some authors resorted to extreme measures, like using horsewhips and pistols, to confront editors over how their works were handled. While this violent expression of frustration belongs to a bygone era, Faulkner acknowledges that the underlying emotions still linger in contemporary writers.
This quote emphasizes the deep-seated connection Southern writers have with their craft and the lengths to which they have historically gone to protect their artistic integrity. It illustrates a sense of urgency and pride in their work, indicating that even though the physical confrontations may have faded, the intensity of their passion remains a vital part of their identity as authors.