The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-11-06
How a Negro Fares in the North

ne election Is over, Out inc lollOW'
ing is most too good to lose: ......
WAsHINGToN. Oct. 9, 1868. +
Editors Macon Telegraph: AS you Sc,
by this communication | am at the grea
headquarters of Radicalism in America
You knowI started on invitation to wish
the State of Maine. but since arriving
here and seeing what a chance color
ed man has in the North. | have con.
cluded to return home. And now
want to show my colorcd friends what
they may expect on their travels in the
Radical States.
l arrived at Atlanta just before day.
1t was cold. damp morning, and was
a stranger in strange place. l asked
some one where l could find place to
stry until light. and was pointed TO the
National Hotel. the headquarters OF
Governor Bullock and the Radical par
ty in Atlanta.
After al the passengers were through
registering, went up to the clerk. pull
ed off my hat and asked him could |
stand by his stove till daylight. He
looked at me. saw that I was colored.
and replied: No. no this is no Niger
hotel-we have no niggers here but a
INV W dlltI~. anu ~ We 'ouIN Wv b''tNt
would soon get shed Off thcn." told
him did not ask to stop at his hotel.
but was stranger and only wanted to
stand by the stove in the Office till it
was light. He said. "go out and stand
by the door. and when the porter gets
through with his baggage he will show
you niger hotrl.'
/ left Immediately aud was pointed to
the United States hotel. which they told
ME was the Democratic headquarters
and was kept by Southern man. l ask
ed the clerk there. could I stand by his
stove till il was light aud he said. "Oh.
yes. my good fellow. and take them car
prt-bags and trunks and make you up
a bed. You can gets right good nap
before daylight" And here you see the
difference between Southern man. as
has been used TO us all his life. and the
Northern man who is not used to us,
and who does not like us.
| left Atlanta on the nine o'clock
morning train for this place. and all the
way along | met with the same differ
ence whenever I spoke TO a Southern
white man he gave me kind answer.
but I could tell a Northern man not
more from his looks, than the way he
trcHted the co!ored people.
When I got to Washington. was
tired out and wanted dram. So went
into a bar-room. as would do in Ma
con. and asked for one. The bar-kreper
looked at mn-raised his eyes and said.
SAYS he. -" No niggrrs are allowed to
drink at this bar Says |. "axes your
parlon-I am stranger. travelling
about and I wants drink nightly. and
would YOU please tell me how ! can get
one?" Says he. "Thar's perliceman
at the door, and if you give him the mo-
ncy he will buy one for YOU" Then
went to the door, and pulled off my hat
and stated what l wanted. Says he.
give me fifty cents. which did. Then
saws he. YOU stand here. Then he went
in and soon brought ont little whisky
in tumbler. and drank it in the street.
Then | stopped while to see if there
saws he. what is you waiting for? Says
la little change, if you please. Says he
change hell-we don't wait on mig
gers for nothing up here.
Then next encountered a gentleman
in high place. holding an Office ofboth
trust and honor under the United States
government. and assure YOU he talked
very plain. Says he. we Northern peo-
pie have no use for negroes. We are
willing you should be free and have
freed you, but as for your equality no.
tons, they are all stuff and NONSENSE
DO You reckon would take you inside
my house? Do you reckon You could
sit at my table? No, you could not
come in,ide my gate. You negroes
must learn to keep your place. The
South is the best place for YOU to live in.
If YOU come North You will starve, for
we have no place for YOU here.
These few anecdotes will tell you, my
coored friends, what the Northern SYM
pathy for us means. 1t is all a political
hobby, and there's nothing in it. 1t
won't give you place at the white
mans fire. or morse at his table--or
a bit Of whiskey in his har-room. or
kind word. except he wants to use YOU.
There's more Kindness for the negro
among our old masters in the South. i'm
day, than there is in year among the
people up this way.
The Southern white men are your
best friends. Stand by them and don't
mind this Northern talk. -G .-.
remain you humble servant,
WILLIAM SMITH.