Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-07-08
For. the Advertiser.
Have WE Done our Whole /

T. l.
Mn. EpITon For little more than three
years, the Negroes have been declared free;
either from desire on the part of a majority
of the Whites, or any other causes, issitffqrt
morfent to be believed that they will ever
again be returned to chattel slavery They
now: have vested in them all the franchises:dt
citizen, which will scarce4ever be lessened
beyond those salutary' restrictions which con-
servatism may at some future day establish.
How then is there status to be rendered sat,
isfacbory, and how are they,to be, impressed
with the importance and necessity of con.
ducting themselves, politically and otherwise,
aright2 Certainly not by the same mode
pursued by the whites that characterized their
system of management during the existence
of slavery. A coercive policy must and will
provoke the very opposite ofawhat we wish to
attain. With but few exceptions, little or no
effort has, been made to eu]igten crimprove
the moral and intellectual condition Of the
negro, notwithstanding they have become
and are part and very considerable part
of the people Of the Southern States. How
ever SO unpleasant this may be regarded, it is
fact. y - '''i'''Ve''
+ Destiny, the march Of human progress, or
whatever else you may call call it, as we'll as
the hopes and aspirations Of men seeking po-
litical prelerment, and the. !" advantages. an
nexedn<of paying place. will tend to expand,
if possible, rather than contract, the elective
exercise, the proper 'usesof which can only
: be made by those who are informed or di-
rected Alright. Recently, and unfortunately
too recently, Radical emissaries have been
travelling over the .ex:slave States, publicly
and privately cndeavoriug to imbue the negro
mind withs'the adoption of their views, and
to that end, provoking prejudice against the
Southern whites. How many of the former
slave owners can say truthiully That they
have used, prof ! means to correct the evil
'""cta of Ii teacbing2l Observation forces
me 70 the conclusion that they are lamenia
bly, few. The great difficulty in the way has
been, think, the want Of .JuN and proper
acceptation Of the .fred, fact that the negro is
no,o free and beyond coefcire control SeS'
No later, than in Aprillast many planters
whose employees spoke of. going to vote
threatened themowith- discharge If they did
60. Nevertheless, in June following, they
are urged and advised to go and vote, pro.
vided, they voted in opposition TO Rddicalisn
To large extent, the negroes believe that
tue establishment of Democracy will pos
sbly return them to slavery while aOn the
other hand they believe Radcaiigf will per-
petually secure there freedom, aadsthe educa-
ton Of their children free of costS -
sIt is well-lsaemssfaetstaa fin man
in nearly all portions Of the South since the
close. of the war, intense prejudice would
arise towards any person who proposed teach,
ing negroes, which they keep in lively-re-
membrance; and they also believe that it is
purposely SO, in order that they may be the
more easily cheated when being setled.witb
by their employers, and that their offspring
may grow up similarly unified by dint of,ig-
norance for the protection of their rights.
"A dispassionate observation leads me to the
belief thst the foregoing is true as regards
the condition of affairs since the spring Of
1866.
= Would it not be well,-aye,.is is it not abso-
lutely necessary,-to adopt adferent policy ?
1t certainly cannot make matters worse,
and therefore any change must be for the
better.
!: Interested in slave property from my infan-
cy until the institution ceased to exist, and
being now past the meridian Of life,I profess
to know something of negro character and its
peculiarities On such basis I make the fol-
lowing suggestions, confidently believing that
if acted upon the result will prove wholesome.
+ When contracting with a negro for his SER
vices, either at stated rate per diem or per
month, clearly and distinctly set forthln such
manner as he can fully understand, what you
require of him. If he faithfully discharge
the duties imposed, settle with him justly,
and give him o written character 10 the ex-
tent of your experience. If he prove dere-
lict, point out his -errcr and if he does not
then meet your approval; pay off and dismiss
him without any certificate; and if there be
proper and honorable understanding among
your Deigbbors, be will experience such diff
Guilty in ngain getting employment as will
most probably lead him to come again to you,
and ehdeavor by another trial, to redeem
himself, But do not quarrel with or abuse
him, either by corporeal punishment or harsh
language. You have no moral oi legal right
to do 80, and beyond the gratifying angered
feeling, no result other than AN injurious one
is arrived at. ~ -
If yon contract with them for q share Of
the crop, have it distinctly set forth in the ar:
ticle of agreement that they are not to absent
themselves from the plantation, during the
working season, save on Sunday, without
your consent; and that ifAthey do go, and to
the detriment of the crop, they shall then
forfeit all right to an interest in it, andsleave
your place forthwith. >zAS - .'''e'' So
In every case where it be practicable, have
work done by the job or piece, to be paid for
when completed. '
On making final settlements, have one OF
more reliable persona present SO that there
shall be no misunderstanding or chance fol
subsequent trouble. @
Aid and encourage them to the fullest ex.