The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-09-26
Ar1ht CSvfeSpenAsnce.
SOLDIERS HOME, VrcKsBuRa.
Miss, Sept. 9th, 1868.

was handed me an hour ago by Mrs.
Plummer, Of the Soldiers Home. i is
the production Of contrsband who escap-
ed from his master in Kentucky, and
found his way, first to Columbus, Ken
lucky, then to St. Louis, and finally to
your City. He at irst had good mas
ter and mistress, who, in their slast win
and testament" gave him his freedom
But some distant relations in the garb Of
sheirs" and without any special sanction
Of law oppressed him into ths services !"
and be remained slave till the coming
Of the Yankees, when he and his wife
ventured upon the chances of freedom
He was 10 the employment Of Mrs. Plum
mer for time, while connected with the
Soldiers Home in Columbus. Upon 60
ing North he seems to have met with
cool reception. and wishes as appears from
bis letter, to get back again. He ought
to know, what sad Experience will
teach him, that there are few Mrs. Plum
mers whose generous nature, full Of chris
tan sympathies seem consecrated to sew
cry good word and work, and who would
not offend one of the "little ones" of
Christs kingdom for any consideration.
During his short battle with the world IS
freeman, he has learned to write, and
the elaborate chirography with which his
thoughts and impulses are stilted and
winged for their flight, shows such cspac-
ity of attentive care, and such determine
ton Of purpose as will in the end secure
success. Notwithstanding the precision
and care with VIII. oh it is written, all in
capitals, and every word and every abre-
Walton pointed to itself, you can scarcely
spell it out.
Let us comprehend and interpret as
we'll as we may, the anti-cropping civili-
cation which it symbolizes. Let us faith
ON if possible. the dark abyss from which
the African is yet to be lifted.
They have native ability. This letter
is but one of thousand proofs of it,
They are capable of improvement and
are in very many instances. educated
He who persistendy denies that they are
capable of elevation, as many yet seem
inclined to do. simply stiItifes himself
by ignoring the testimony of facts. In
state of cruel servitude. and suffering al.
most every disability which prejudice Of
color and wicked legislation could inflict
they have yet as people, made progress
They are greatly superior to their primo
genitors and the native Africans of the
present day; this must be admitted
But that they are yet ignorant ant
barbarous admits of too abundant proc
aud Illustration. Very few can eithe
read or write. Not one in ten, suppos,
"knows his letters They can do goot
service if some one leads the way, tell
them what to do; but they need telling
They seem incapable of complex ideas =
When the planning is done, the nethoc
adopted, the work laid off when it has be
, come simple in its parts, it may be com
m,ted to their hands. They know moth
ing of the mechanic arts. If they hav
been employed in the arts. at all, it ha
been only upon the simplest details, an,
under direction Even Ordinary Ayr
culture is too complex for them. Their
arc very few who have even conducted
good business in cuitivating the SOIL
Farming, !aborious and comparatiyel
simple aud easy Of comprehe nsion, is pre-
eminenily their business. but even in thi
they must have an "overseer," some on
to tell them ,ehen and hoe. They are M
only ignorant of business. They are so al
= acquainted with the laws of nature affect
4 ing their health and physical being. as t
;, prevent and forestall their being conso
q dated into civil society, with any fair pro-
's pect of good results. They live in fit
II and dirt, when they could be clean. The
ID intermarry and indulge in promiscuos il
tercourse until the family relation scare.
ly exists One Of my employees. ha
two wives. Another has his ssswee
hearts" The &c of our Surgeons COO
: left him and took up with another. Sci
ual intercourse is almost indiscriminat
= resulting often in the most hideous al
and piiiable progeny. Grant that all th
!. is the legitimate result. of their form,
servitude. The facts are none the LEI
:. stubborn. and deplorable. They are tn,
n semi barbarous, ignorant Of business, an
. it may be added. ignorant of the none
" One Of our boys the other day gave I.
dollars for two small watermelons. "
employed one some time ago, with an O
bag of a mule and a rickety cart. to ASST
n yuauipr Soma hovoc ocJ g.. L. 4