Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1862-10-24
How to Treat them, and how Not.

waters edge, with their bundles 10 hand
hoping to be taken off by our vessels t.
somerhere where they would not be slaves
There has been nothing more affecting
during this war than this incident IL
their minds, darkened by the long night o.
Slavery, had yet dawned the idea that oul
nationality was essentially antagonistic ,c
it-that the stars and stripes expressed
not as a "glisteriug generality" but as q
veritable truth, the grand sentiment that
"all men are born free aud equal" NJ
such compliment was ever paid nation
al flag since the sun shonc on one.
The behavior of the negroes, too, upon
our occupation Of the islands, was all that
could have been desired; they were gener
ally industrious, always rtspcctfui cheerful
aud humble. Predlsposcd to look up on
the new comers as friends aud protectors
the roughest private in our ranks obtained
:ouch of the hat aud propiriatory saluta-
ton from them. Ia manners many Of the
nesroes-thOse who had been house-ser-
van,s-might have claimed to be gentle.
men. Indeed, before the rebel ion, VIC
have heard white South Carclinians assert
the superiority Of the negroes of their
State over those of all others in the very
characteristics eulogized.
1t can not be denied that much of this
is changed. The negroes are not, now,
as civil to, nor do they possess such trust
ful faith in men Of Northern birth, as upon
first squaintauce. General experience
despite the humane efforts of Gen. Hun
ter aud the few who seconded him-has
undeceived many Of their expectations.
With the exception of the field hands
(who live in comparatively infrequent COM
munication with the troops on the planta-
tious), many Of the ex-slaves secretly
would prefer, not Slavery, but the treat
ment at the hands of their masters, to
that experienced from Pro-Slavery Demo
Gratis in Uncle Sans uniform. Some Of
the more intelligent confess this. Robert
Small has declared that he has been sub
jected to more indignity in the North than
IN Charleston.
Now, without charging the ma aiority of
our soldiers with the inhuman and IN,
christian prejudice that fnds reason for
injustice in a difference of color, We yet
maintain that it is prevalent enough
both in and ont Of the army-to justify
a word Of caution, in view of the immense
prospect opening upon US in virtue of
President Liucolu's Emancipation Procla.
nation. If that operates successfully Gas
please God it may We shall have the big
est kind of an elephant upon our hands !;
let US know how to treat him.
In this, We may learn from the enemy.
Men are not always as bad as their laws,
and the abuse of irresponsible authority (of
all temptations the most difficult to be re.
sisted) only becomes diabolic in exception
al instances. Southerners of education
aud position are generally less exacting,
more tolerant of the shortcomings Of slaves,
than Northern man finds it easy to be.
They seem to allow a certain margin Of
error, Of idleness, and duplicity, as incl
dental to the condition of the slave 1t is
a polite and involuntary recognition Of
the necessity of tenpering huge injus-
tice with minor indulgence. We must
emulate their example in not expecting
too much from the negro.
Of all conceivable human conditions, an
apprenticeship Of Slavery is the wors. pre-
lude to the responsibilities of freedom.
A "chattel's" problem in life is to be a
thief, liar, sluggard, in SO far as the
penalty does not exceed the indulgence.
Owning nothing, (in the Satanic dic,a of
his oppressors, possessing no rights that
white man is bound to respec,,") what
earthly inducement is there beyond the
fear of punishment or the greed Of sensual
good, to induce him to be honest, indus.
trious, and thrifty? And the heavenly
one rewardirg an obscure, life long mar
tyrdom, can hardly be expected 20 be op.
erative. That ho is as good as he is, is a
wonder, his poor average of excellence be-
ing rather in spite of his condition than
accruing from it. Were it less, it would
not absolve US from our duty of helping
him; as it is, We have every reason for
hope and encouragement.
To descend to lower and more selfish !
motives: Let US beware of persistence in
rjustice and prejudice against the negro,
est Ue hare hin, against us. In but too
many instances during this war, We have
deserved his distrust-and obtained it.
4 counter-proclamation BY Jefferson Davis,
Emancipation, at an early date,
IS the policy of the Rebels, might've do
lot say it would-briug thousands Of
f blacks into the field against our soldiers.
he slaves know their masters: in many
r.toonaa thoy trusk than, skav kora