New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-14

North with which have been familiar this school has
been only IN operation since the taking Of Charleston
Of course; there seemed To have been wonderful pro-
eicDcy taking into account the saoTt time ii in
existence; had heard, and was somewhat o! opinion
myself that the coored people disposed TO learn
by rOte; that they memOrzed matters pretty readily
and peated them parro-ke and that the depth and
profundty Of their knowledge rather limited that
was my impression before going into these schools but
was happily disappointed, IN examining individual
10 Gd that they understood the reason Of things
IN the grammar for instance, they could give the rules
and the reasons, and in arithmetic they could explain
the problems they seemed to understand the
so far conducted the examination; was surprised
to ind the tboroughness of their education and 1t con-
WINGED ne that really there was not the limit which
previously thought there IN regard 10 tie thor
oGghneSS of their learning
g. DO you mean TO be understood as saying that you
have observed incriOIiiy IN point OF capacity OF
cO.OIed 10 white Children A. AS far as my ooserya
ton went in those schools j must acknowledge that,
considering the time they had been at school, could
not see that there was any superiority, TO what would
have expected IN white children aud | have had ex
prricnce in teaching myself in former years; would
lot be able TO express the opinion that there was any
inierioriiy considering the circumstances.
O. Row extensive in South Carolina Is that prejudice
of which yoU spoke against the education OF the bacAs
is il colhncd any particular class Of whtesi a. IL
Is pretty universal; would not say that II IN confined
10 any particular class,
O. Is that feeling as intense among the higher classes
OF whites in South Carolina as il is among the lower
asses. A. AS class ! think it is: that is TO say
among the wealthy Planters II exists as much among
those who are merchants and mechanics that is the
wny they divide the classes there.
g. What is the sentiment among the lower strata OF
sOcietv-amcne the poorer white people Of South Caro-
lima A. As general thing nv observation is that
that class has been nodded in contact with the 9TH
South Carolina that they have not true appree
alton Of education themselves and they have as blind
prcdiUdice about the negro as any Others
q Is u not somewhat more intense A. think Il Is
more intense than among the better educated people,
the better thinking men: there are among the
first classes Of South CarolniCns. educated men and
Christian as believe them 10 be, who are not 80
bitterly opposed 10 the education a. tie blacks although
they seem regard il folly; have seen in
south Carolina any who felt Interest enougn in 10 ad
vcro 10 take measures either N their legislation
or 1vrere 20 bring about the education of the blacks
vet there among the better portion of the com
muniy who not much opposed 10 II; IN Georgia
and IN Florida found OF the better classes OF the
commonly Who are IN favor OF the education OF Inc
blacks bat not many, comparatively a small number
o. How would proposal 10 allow negro 10 vote ne
accepted in South CarOnai y. They are utterly and
uuQuafiedy opposed 10 negro voting.
q. Have you any knowledge respecting the state OF
things the Sea Islands. as they are caliedt A. Yes
81: have visited the Sea Islands recently.
q. How many Of these islands are thercf A. There
nre some eight ten more of the larger islands.
Q Famous ,or their production OF cotion' y. Yes
81: Sea Island cotton.
o. Can yoa state how these islands are now princi-
Vally Oecuricd' \. \ number Of the plantations on
each and sometimes entire islands have Teen formally
restored their former owners; they were oil ahan
doued during the several al the Islands negroes
have been located and have been engaged in cultiva
Ing the land; some and considerable number pre-.
vous,y 10 Gen. Shernans celebrated order issuei last
Winter at savannah, AMI large nunier under the
provisions Of that order have been located ON the
different islands: considerable numter have received
formal titles 10 Forty acres each on hose islands, where
there were large numbers o. them on any gwen plan
talon they still remain IN possessions but where there
were very few on plantation the plantation has been
N eases icstoIed the understanding was that the
lc?s were that where there were very lew negroes
on O plantation the plantation should he restored II
the negroes were properly provided with homes.
O. How long is il since they were restored ~ They
-. In af
part OF October, OF less all along; 4 was by d.
rrc,ion u the President.
@ What has become OF the blacks who were formerly
located on them. are they chiefly there a. As !
stated the limitation has been 10 where there were
only few negroes On a plantation and these lew
sonnet mes have made contracts work for the former
owner. u fair rates while OF them have pre-
f.rrcd 70 leave altogether; the general disposition Is
when thew cannot get titles themselves, thar they
would rather leave altogether than MAKE CONTRACTS WIN
their former owners.
O. They wonld prefer 20 be owners themselves a.
Yes Sir, and may add that there II strong desire
almost 20 passion the part OF large number OF the
more enteIrsiug Of the blacks 20 obtain Land by lease
or laua and that there is corresponding Iepuc
nance the part Of the citizens Of South CaTo!Dato
allow them either obtain land by lease or purchase
than is the case IN Georgia, also; IN fact may "a,
that there j. determination on the part o. the old
white residents far could not 10 allow them
either 10 own or 20 rent land.
o. Is Tia, feeling very general, a. That feeling IS
universal among the white residents much 60. that
meeting the other strong desire the part Of tie
q
ing which would not otherwise exist.
O. Judging from what ycu know OF the popular feel
ing South CGronaon the subject q: negroes owning
real estate would not the legislation Of that state u
efi unreiralned by o! Congress proh bit the back
race entirely from owuing land within tie State A
/ think il would
O Have You any doub: a5ont !, n your own mind
ryin ron wba, you know about the popular feeling
there 4 have 10 doabi that the majority Of tie
people oi South Carolina would insist such thing
o In such case a. that what is the idea Of the
- ill.,. ltsF A.ffln q
the black race what woull they do with them a.
They would put them IN condition OF compulsory
labor; those who have the kindest disposition ap.
pareuty toward the negro seem 20 consider u as nev
table that he shall be under compulsory system 0i
labor. they DO not seem 10 have proper understand
ing Of what free labor s or else their feelings toward
the blacks are such prevent them considering the
question fairly.
q In such case as that, would they allow the negro
10 stand as q free contracting party IN regard TO his
own labor without restraint or coDpulsich ~ la"
A. Judging from what know OF the public sentiment
and from the laws passed already should say not
o They would not allow him 10 be free contractor i,
A. No Sir; they did give him a certain appearance OF
fairness contracting but they threw about MN so
auv compulsory regulations in the matter OF making
contracts and in the fufDent Of contracts and IN All
the business of the plantation that virtually amounted
10 the same thing deprivine him OF The power OF
making free contracts as you understand H.
O. What the general feeling among the whites theTe
in regard 10 the domestic relations OF the freedmen
W.ness--Do yoa mean in tie direction OF bringing
about any reformation
M Hordrd-Yes.
A. have found lamentable absence OF interest in
the moral wel..being Of the negroes.
O. Is there willingness OH the part of the Wbles 10
coucedc 10 the black the nights OF husband ana
life and parent and child regarded ana guarded p
law A. Yes Sir; think that the Legislature maze
moves 10 that end but there IL scch t0ai lndnrIeace
10 the matter OIL tie part OF the people that very little
would be accomplished; although the laws were cor
rect in that respect very little would be accomplished
in bringing about a reform. and reform needed De.
cause of the condition which the blacks nave Decn