M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1860-01-26
From the H,hu,nd,( Va. )Dispatch.l
Inconsistency OF HrIper-"ReaIity
vs.. Fiction

~ SN"tNA W N"ioNlt1 Hho plhCCI
in our hands a copy of "The Laud o
Gold. Reality rerSts Fiction: (a sug
gesive title) b. Hinton R. Helper.
This work was published in 1858, and
the author presented a copy OF it to
our friend, who, as well as Helper,
was then in California. On page 275
Of this volume, Helper says there are
comparatively few negroes in Calitor
MIA. most of those who are found there
having emigrated from tho Northern
and Eastern States in the capacity of
cooks and stewards of vessels. -
"They are in the same situation" he
adds, as their brethren in New York
and NJ Massachusetts, slaves to no single
individuals, but to the entire commu.
nifty. Like free negroes everywhere
else, they inhabit the worst parts o!
the towns in California, and live com.
monty in characteristic filth and deg
radiation"
lie then proceeds to say that there
are O few blacks in California from
the South and these have been brought
ont as slaves. sit is true" quoth
Helper "that on their arrival here
they have the power OF claiming their
freedom; but such is their attachment
to their masters that this is rarely
done. Instances have occurred in
which they have been enticel away by
meddling A bolition8ts, hut, disguSted
with a freedom which was OF no value
to them, they have been eager to re-.
turn again to their masters. Several
cases OF this kind lave come under nv
own observation" Mr.. Helper then
proceeds to relate these cases as fol-.
lows:
81 was personally acquainted with
q New Orleans sea captain and ship
owner, who had very likely negro
man named ice. This slave had ac.
ted as his special servant Tor many
years, and had made two Or three voy-
ages with him between Shanghai and
San Francisco. His conduct WAS en.
tirely unobjectionable, and his duties
were always promptly and efficiently
discharged. Indeed, the captain in
formed me that though he had reared
Joe, he never had occasion to whip
him for any ofense. Others had ob.
served the admirable traits of the ne
gro, and several persons had attempt.
ed to buy offering extraordinary
prices; but his master, having the
highest apprec iation of his qualities
and strong pers onal attachment for
him, positively refused to part with
him on any terms. AT last, howev.
er, Joe deserted the vessel. An Alb
olitiOniSt had persuaded him to leave
his master; and a short while thereaf
ter he married Mexican woman-aI
sort of half breed-aud went off to the
n.ines,near Campo SEQ. But he So, n
found ns trevuom uupruti laDle an q
troublesome. Wmle IN his legitimate
station he had always had an easy
time, plenty Of food and an abundance
OF clothing. lie had alsoaccumulated
two or three hundred dollars, which
Lad been given MIN by his master
and others, tor extra services. Not
long alter his marriage with the Mex.
ican woman his money disappeared.
He became pennIlesS, ragged, defect.
ed, and, as last resort, Determined
to return to San Francisco, beg his
masters parton, and, If possible, re
instate himself in the favor Vi one who
had always been his friend. lie did
return, presented himself as a suppl.
ant before his master, told hIm that he
had been persuaded to leave, that he
was sorry tor having done 50, and now
wished tu enter lis service again,
promising unwaverlng lathlulEess in
the future. The master regarded hlm
with a steady gaze until he had finish.
ed his story, and then, in a distinct
and dispassionate tone, said to him:
You had nc cause for leaving me; |
had always treated you we'll. Now
you may go; don't want you any
longer At the conclusion of these
words the negro dropped in despair at
his masters feet and wept like a child.
Moved by the sincerity Of the negro's
repentance, and having duly consid.
cred the extenuating circumstances Of
the case, the master overlooked his cs.
arrangement, set him to work, and
never had the least difficulty with h i'm
afterward. OF his Ducina, whom it
seems be had married in Laguna
dance. house, | knew nothing, except
the information gained from Joe
himself, that she lett him as soon as
his money was gone.
"One more instance, and | have
done with the negroes. A gentleman
and three Of his slaves, from the Wes.
tern part of North Carolina, lad been
mining about two years, near Quartz.
burg. in Mariposa County. Tncir Ell.
forts having been crowned with sue.
cess, the master concluded to return
howe ond eneakiny tn his slaves of