Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1842-09-28
Gcu. J. y, WnIrsER, Anderson.
ASprnsoS, Aug. 30, 1892


Dtar Sir:-I feel ashamed that have
not found an earlier momeut TO reply to
your favor Of tho 10th inst.
have had occasion, previously, TO in
vesIIsure The Act Of our Legislature on the
subject respecting which you request my
opinion. and feel no hesitation in assuring
you that there has been no Legislation TO
my knowledge, n, all prohibiting the kind
os instruction or mauncr ofinparilns II 70
The Negroes, as practiscd at your School
The :ici or 1900 made the assemblies
and congregation OF Slaves, Free Negroes,
&c. "net together for the purpose o!nen-
tai instruction in any confined or secret
place OF meeting. or with The gates or doors
of such place OF meeting barred boiled, or
locked. so as to prevent the free ingress or
cgrcss to and from tie same" an uHldrc-
tut mseiing," and authorised its dispersion;
and in another clause Df same act, prohib-
tied 'any number Of Slaves, Free Negroes
&c. even in company With white persons
10 meet together aud assemble for the par-
pose Or :IIofsvui
ship, or either, before the rising ofihe sun
and tho going down Of the same"
The Act Of 1905 prohibits the dispec-
sion Of such au assembly before "nine o.
clock u the evening"" provided majority
of the assemblage were white persons, or
the disturbance Of their devotion otherwise
unless upon warrant issued by Magistrate
The Ac, of 1910, providing for The more
ef1ec,ual performance Of Patrol duty. OBJ
serves like provisions. The Act Of 1884.
prohibits the teaching Of any slave To read
or write. under heavy penalties.
So that from all that has been brought
within my observation, after dilikcnt
search into our entire statute law. con-
clude thu, tho assemblugo Of Negroes in
the day time, in an open place for oral 10
slructon, is not unlawful. The Leeisla-
,ure seems indeed TO have contemplated the
propriely Of their being assembled for tho
purpose Of "mcnlal instruction" and "rc-
lgious worship" other ,lian in the night
ri,ne aud in secre, places. whether ma
joriry Of white persons were present or not.
have bccn greatly surprised with tho
nature and extent OF The prejudice and aP.
prcheusion existing in christian cornmu
nifty on this suhjcc,. In the hands Of vi
cinus and designing fanatics, our Negro
population might be greatly corrupted nn-
der The puise Of religious instruction; but
that persons hose judgmcn. and good
sense arc conlir!cd in, whose habits. and
rducarion. and interests are identical, and
whose feelings and purposes are no, there
T,,r, k.. y
objects oi suspicion whilst attempting to
point immortal beings he way TO Heaven.
and this. too. in n lnnd Of Bibles. amones,
IN intelligent rejecting aud christian pco-
Pile. is 10 me most unaccountablc.
It canno, be tha, religion is 10 be with
held from The Negro because he is Slave.
lie is rational aud immortal. and mus, be
accountable, though his accountability he
shares. hnyc no doubt, largely, with his
master. Some light is essential to saliva
,ion; and as iar nccdcd. there is nothing
Incompatible with The relation. II is not
10 be doubted that both master aud slave
are made hcucr by religion, aud to the OK
tent they are brought under its influence,
hcucr discharge every duty pertaining 10
the station Of each. As mere hypocrites.
they may each impose on others. and
prove mischicvious to society, until dis
covered and exposed. Bul pardon me
have rather sous beyond professional
opinion.
Acccp, assurances Of al1cctionatc regard
from Yours, &c.
J. n. WITNER.