The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-04-11

DrOupnb Wltns me al lne pfeluQ1CeS
which so generally prevail IN the Free
States in regard to this ssinstituticn. ID
had already seen much to soften these
but the observation OF years would have
failed to give me 80 clear an insight In
to tho relation between master and SER
want as this simple incident. twas not
the naughty planter, the lordly tyrant,
talking of his dead slave, as Of his dead
horse, but the kind hearted gentleman,
|lamenting the loss, and eulogizing the.
virtues of his good old friend.
After an interval of silence, my host
resumed
"There are" said he, tsmany of the
old mans relatives and friends who
would wish to attend his funeral. To
afford them on opportunity, several
plantations have been notified that he
will be buried tonight; some, I presume
have already arrived; and desiring to
see that all things are properly prepar-
ed for his interment, I trust you will
excuse my absence for afew moments. .
Most certainly, sir; but" added,
elf there is no impropriety, I would be
pleased to accompany you"
"There is none," he replied; and I
followed him to one of long row of
cabins, Situated at the distance of some
three hundred yards from the mansion.
The house was crowded with negroes,
who all arose ON our entrance, and ma
ny of them exchanged greetings with
my host, in tones that convinced me
that they felt that lie vas an object Of
sympathy from them! The corpse was
deposited in the coffin, attrired in q
shroud of the finest cotton materials,
and the coffin itself painted black.
The master stopped at its head, and
laying his hand upon the cold brow Of
his faithful bondsman, gazed long and
intently upon features with which he
had been so long familiar, and which
he now looked upon for the last time
on earth; raising his eyes at length and
glancing at the serious countenances
now bent upon his, he said solennly
and with much feeling
s'He was faithful servant and a
true christian; if you follow his exam
pie, and live as he lived, mono of you
need fear, when the time comes for you
to lay here"
A patriarch, with the snow Of eighty
winters on his head, answered
"A1aster, it is true, and We will try
to live like him."
There was murmcr of general as
sent, and after giving some instructions
relative to the burial, we returned to the
dwelling.
About niue o'clock servant appear
ed with the notice that they were ready
to move, and to know if further instruc-
tons were necessary. My host remark
ed to me, that by stepping into the pi.
azza, | would probably witness, to me o
novel scene. The procession had NOV.
ed, and its route led within few Yards
of the mansion. There were at least
one hundred and fifty negroes, arranged
four deep, and following wagon in
which was placed the coffin; down the
entire rgth of the line, at intervals of
q few feet, on each side, were curried
torches Of the resinous pine, and here
called light wood. About the centre
was stationed the black preacher, a man
OF gigantic frame and s!entorian lungs,
who gave out from memory the words
of q hymn suitable to tho OCCASION
The Southern negroes ore proverbial
for the melody and compass of their
voices, and | thought that hymn, mel
lowed by distance, the most solemn and
yet the sweetest music that had ever
fallen upon my har. The stiffness of
the night and strength of their voices
enabled me to distinguish the air at the
distance fhalf q milo.
1t was to me a strange and solemn
scene, and no incident of my life has
impressed me with more powerful emo
tions than the night funeral Of the poor
negro. For this reason I have hastily
anamost imperfectly sketched its lead
ing features. Previous to retiring to
my room, I saw, in the hands Of
daughter of the lady at whose house I
stop for tho night; number of THE
HOME JOURNAL, and it occurred to me
to send this to your paper, perfectly in
different whether it be published or not.
/ ambut brief sojourner here. I
hail from colder cline, where it is our
proud boast that all men are free and
equal. / shall return to my Northern
home, deeply impressed with tho belief,