Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-11
Negro Progress and Negro Politencss.


EdyeGeld, by naught save an examination, anu
picnic among the negroes. If, in the course OF
time. the Southern States shall again take their
legitimate place in the American Union, then will
Southern white people, in all probability once
more celebrate the 4th with honor and rejoicing !;
ut present, however, the day can bring little else
than s.d md bitter memories. As long as our po-
litical status remains SO degrading as now, ii
were hest for Us to observe the 4th of July as
Dean Swift did his birthday after he had reached
thirty :-alone in garrett with fasting and prayer.
The negro school in Edgcfeld is presided over
by Lawrencc CAIN, young man of twenty -one
or two, formerly slave of Major ZACH cARwILE !;
he is white in complexion, gen!eel in manners !;
and since becoming "citizen" has deported
himself in way WHICH proves that hs has both
good sense and good feeling. He has some fifty
bdd scholars, of all ages between sixteen and
seven and of all colors, shades rather, between
ebon black and lily white. And this puts us in
mind of the famous and delightful aaecdote OF
old Parson DAyELLy preaching in Charleston,
| und being very much struck With the handaome
ard well-drcssed mu;atioes in the cutlery. Ad-
dressing the white congregation, and pointing to
the gallery, the terrible and plain-spoken old
parson said "What sort Of people are those
Where did they como from? I'm sure God never
made any such" Laurence Cain has been teach
ing most of these pupils for six months past, and
on Wednesday last he gathered them together in
the pleasant grove around Mrs SuEprARp's
spring, that their attainment might he put TO the
proof The parents of the scholars, md tn" ne
yro community generally, provided combined
barbecue and picnic on the occasion; and the
whole affair proved to he one Of real and peculiar
interest.
With good Judgment and good feeling that docs
equal credit to their heads hearts the negroes
invited the whites to be present at their eSamina-
ton and picnic; or rather, we should say n SUI
fciently largo number of gentlcrRen to represent
the white community. And these in their turn,
attended; evucins an interest in the progress OF
the scholars, and kindliness towards their OLD
servants generally, very gratifying to every right
minded man.
lockers on; separate table was spread for them,
and each and all partook Of as delightful barbe-
cued meats, and as nicely prepared sauces, vcge-
tables, cakes, pies, lemonade and fruits, as could
reasonably be wished for.
Two long and libcrally-provided tables were
also spread for the blacks. We are not very sure
however, but that the blacks, in their commenda-
BILE exercise of hospitality towards the white,
practised considerable self-denial. And we are
sure that tho Inter, with their greater abundance
of means, ought not to forget to return, in somo
proper and becoming maunar, this gratutous and
wcll-meant hospitality.
AZ to the examination, it revcRled wonders,
Boys and girla as we hare said before, from seven
to sixteen, who six or eight months ago, knew
not letter in the book, spelt in four and FIVE
syl.ables, and pronounced. and read, and answered
questions in Arithmetic, and said their nultipli-
cation table, with unerring readiness and precision
The young man who has taught these young
colored folks, deserves great deal of credit and
we earnestly hope the means will be provided
him of still further fitting himself for the business
he is pursuing so commercially.
Had somo of the Radicals been. prsfens on the
occasion of which we.speak, they would not have
believed their senses to see the perfectly good
feeling and good understanding between these
negroes and their former owners. Avaunt, ye
Abolitionists and Freedmen's s Bureau Men Your
work in the South is to poison the milk of human
1. .;olp fha efu or hoth ool, ond ~;
For the black mans sake, leave him alone for
when left alsne ne knows very well who is his
true friend.