[patriciaruth]

You may be right about his attitude. However, I think he actually meant what you said, that they don't want to complain, even though they should have the first right of complaint, being the most willing to give their blood to preserve their nation.

[arm958]

I think he actually meant what you said, that they don't want to complain, even though they should have the first right of complaint, being the most willing to give their blood to preserve their nation.

I'm thinking you may be right on this, and that the author was just using the "poor rural whites are the ones who have a right to complain" line as a rhetorical tool. I hope so.