The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-10-23
'EE'c SegE0---gsoss 90 'H're3G EEiEss
and szoSg g0z tO Great Fssssl.

Everybody viii remember how came
the negroes at Pert Royal, s. c., down 10
the waters edge, with their bundles III
hand, hoping to be taken off by our yes
sells to so5aeIGhere where they would not be
slaves. There has been nothing more at
iectinG during the war than this incident.
Ia fheir minds, darkened by the long u gilt
Of Slavery. had yet dawned the idea that
cur nationality was essentially antagouis-
tic to it--that the stars ana stripes ex-
pressed, not as Il ''giittcring generality, .
but as a vortable truth, the grand sen5i-
mcnt that "all men are born free and
oqual." No such compliment was ever raid
tn national fia2 since the sun shone on one.
Ihca our national policy was such that it
might have shamed the recipients.
The behavior OF the negroes, TOO, upon
cur occupation Of the islands was all that
could have been desired they were
generally Industrious, always respectful,
cheerful, and humble. Predisposed to look
upon the new comers as friends and pro
tectors, the toughest private IN our ranks
Obtained a touch Of the hat and propi-
tiatory salutation from them. Ia man
ners. many Of the negroes-those who had
been house-seryants-m i2ht have claimed
TO be geHtIcnlea Indeed, before the rebel
lion, we have heard white South Caroii-
mans assert the superiority Of the negroes
of their State over those Of all others IN
the very characteristics eu!oeized.
It cannot be denied that much OF this
is changed. The negroes of South Carolina
are not, now, as civil to, nor do they pos
sess such trustful faith iu men OF northern
birth as upon first acquaintance. General
Xperience-despite the humane efforts OF
Cen Hunter and Tie fer who seconded
him-has undeceiye6 many OF their ex-
pectations. With the exception Of the
field hands (who live in comparatively
infrequent communication with the troops
with the troops on the planJations), many
of the ex-slaves, secretly, would prefer,
not .SlHUe7y, but their former treatment
at the hands Of their masters to that
experienced from Pro-Slayery Democrats
in Uncle Sam s uniform. Some Of the
more intelligent coufess this. Robert Small
has declared that he has been subjected
to more indignity IN the North than III
Charleston. And Gen. Hunter could only
protect his colored regiment, not only from
detailing men from the ranks Of regiments
guilty Of this cowardice and rufiianism to
perform the servile tasks until then cheer
fully undertaken by the abused negroes.
Now, without charging the majority OF
cur soldiers with the inhuman and un-
christian prejudice that finds reason for
injustice in difference of color, we yet
that it is prevalent enough-both
in and out Of the army-to justify a word
of caution, In view of the immense prospect
opening upon Us in virtue of President
Linuoln's Emancipation Proclamation. If
that operate successfully Gas please God it
lnay) we shall have the biggest kind Of Ell
ephant upon our hands let Us be sure VIC
know how TO treat them.
In this nc learn from the enemy. Men
are not always as bad as their laws, and
the abuse OF irresponsible authority (of all
the most difficult to beresisted)
only becomes diabolic in exceptional in
stanc,s. Southerucrs Of education aud
position are generaly less exacting, more
tolerant OF the shortcomings of slaves, than
a Northern man finds it easy to be. They
seem to allow certain margin Of error,
Of idleness, and duplici;y, as incidental to
the condition Of the slave. 1t is polite
ard involuntary recognition Of the necessity
Of tcmpcring huge injustice with minor
We must emulate their ex
ample in not expecting too much from
the negro.
OF all conceivable human conditions an
apprenticeship of Slavery Is the worst
prelude to the responsibilities Of freedom.
\ "chattcPs" problem in life is to be u
thief, liar, a sluggard in SO far as penalty
does not exceed the indulgence. Owning
nothing, in the Satanic dicta Of his OPP
pressors, possessing no rights that a
white man is bound to respect" what
earthly induccment is there beyond the
fear OF punishment or the greed of sen
sual good to induce him to be honest, IN
dustriou5, and thrifty? And the II eaven
ly one rcwarding an obscure, lifelong
can hardly be expected to be
operative That he Is as good as he is, is
a wonder, his poor average Of excellence
being rather iu spite of his condition than
accruing FROM it. Were it less, it would
not absolve US frem our duty of helping
him; as it is, VIC haye-eyery reason for hope
and encouragement.
TO descend to lower and more selfish
motives: Let us beware Of persistence in
injustice and prejudice against the negro,
lest zee hare ham aycti,ast ms. In but too
many instances duri fis war We have
deserved his distrus and obtained it.
A counter proclamation by Jefferson
Davis. initiating Emancipation at an carly
date, as the policy Of the Rebels, might
we do not say it woud-brins thousands
IF blacks into the field against our soldiers,
The slaves know their masters IN many
rstances they trust them; us they have
hitherto beheId thro' a distorted medium,