The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1865-11-23
G II 4 r L Z S T o n .
THURSDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER 2a. 1855.

cular than tnat there should row be doubt
and controversy as to the effects Of emancipa-
ton, so far, upon the habi:a end character OF
negroes at the South. The opportunities of
observation are abundant, the motives 10 in-
yestigatiyn are strong, and tho opportunity
for difference seems scarcely to exist But it
does; and while some contend that the negro
is more indolent, improvident, and even
vicious, than he ever has been, there are many
who contend that he is singularly prudcnt and
proper, and except for the perVersities Of
white people, he would be in the very best
possible condition
Upon this subject 1t is cIninentsY I'M
portant that We should know the very facts,
to act upon them, and what is, therefore, the
conduct of the negro, that we may determine
what is that treatment which may be Just and
proper; and with our opportunities "f obser-
vation, with tho whole country open to inves-
tigation, with every facility for intercourse,
with newspapers in active operation, and
military posts at every important point at The
South in constant communication with each
other, we ought to know the facts, and 1t were
shame, if not madness, not to 90 so. And
if the fate of this country come-as 1t we'll
may come-from Ignorance or misconceptlon
Of the subject the verdict Of ages must be, that
we deserve it.
Tho negro is not Industrious; sumo are,
the majority arc not, and few are capable of
continuous voluntary labor. They gre not or
derly. Some are; and az race they arc not
fere nGtmG-perhaps no raco 'Tas ever so
susceptible Of external authority, but they are
not capable Of self government. They are nct
provident, not enlightened. They may be-
come so-it we're unnecessary TO argue that
point-but they arc not so now; and such be-
ing their present characteristics, their acts
since emancipation have been IN accordance
with them. Mea may say what they please,
believe what they please, and meet the ruin
of their belief, but the negro Of these Southern
States is q negro-a poor uasorined-measur-
ably honest-and impressiblo creature, and
human purpose or preconscription, at present,
can make him nothing else.
lie has not been indus:rio"s-iew have done
half the work they did before the war. He
has not been prudent and orderly. OF plan
! tatione stocked and provisioncc at the close OF
winter, left in their hands, not one has been
we'll cultivated, and upon fcW ..2yothey grown
enough to feed them Coz year. lie has not
.-',"'7
for himself. lie has not SO acted as to induce
white mon to stake enterprises on voluntary
labor, and so, therefore. as to sccure employ
raent. IIo is mere vicious; mere property has
bccn pluuderel by him in the current year
than in the current century before: and more
negroes have taken the blood ci wili;e non
than had stricken white men since the races
came together
1t is rot our purpose to argue shat tic negro
is in fault. II treated moro CONSIDERABLY, lie
would not have been more tractab'c: o. more
instructed il times past, ne would not he bet
ter fitted for association now. The fact is now
the nattcr of Importance. 1t is upon that We
have TO act, that exist, no matter how perfect
ly we may show the reason for it: uros proper
estimation Of that depends the interests Of the
North, the civilization of the South, and the
existence of the negro race. Rightly treated,
these may be preserved. The negro IS yet
the pillar Of II most imposing structure; treat
ed as he is, that structure may be sustained:
treated as he is not, that structure falls, and
all dependent interests must participate in the
common ruin.
Such, therefore, as we have stated them, arc
the facts of his experience. So far, they may
not be without excuse. or without the posi-
hility Of amendment. The negro, in consis-
tencc with these facts, may become a valuable
member Of society. We only say he is not
that now his present disposition, uncontrolled
nv stronger restraints than a:c ;!ruii:l hi,n Ill
q state Of freedom are Scarccii; consistent
with society y; all: ami IN 'il;; present fact
We ,cS;;r,-to TIC cxten: oi o!- orrG;;'i!.'y,
. that fac:. Il. icaS,, e!.al :,e kaow:,. Mia,
rcruc;:ie, are ;p lie ;:p,.iied. wi;;.: ..r>c al
action ,a;en it is no: or prcsc:i; t.:.ucse :-'
prescribe The nli-senco-uf TIT d:et;A-' j. III
-Tryy.5T;C1, .;nG ,yA h.vn si,cu rht !: ru,,-f,. =.