Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-10-22
uen,:s as nteu are IN citizenship and IN political

gears as Ht"y are an citizenship and IN potntcd
experience. 80. ---
The white people here prato continually OF
negro ignorance aud iuferiority. But they should
remember that they themselves have had the
t"schit g and the training OF them through ter
OF their &c nerations, and this, OF which they now
complain. is the melancholy result. Intemper-
ance here is frightfully prevalent, and the color
cd people share almost universally in the evil
he whiskey hero is diabolical. aud yet they ap-
pear to love it more than anything else women
as well = They drink 1t red hot from the
barrel, clean and pure, and have seem mothers
pour it down the throats OF their Blk months Old
babes And what is worse, there are very few
white men who employ them to any extent. that
do not keep barrel on tap. and furnish it to
them whenever better bargain, or moro work,
can be had thereby.
among them. There is no tie about it as q
general fact On the plant atoms, very few are
born. Infanticide is common, 1t ls said but mar
that is not frequent. In the towns it is sone-
what better than in the country, but everywhere
apparently among these poor beings, the Legal
restraints of marriage are but little regarded
AS TO any idea OF comfortable housekeeping IN
the rural districts, and they comprise
almost the whole South. it is all mystery
yet to be revealed, even to its first prin,,
cipies There are, generally no stated
to be provided The men cook their own hominy
or rice when they get ready, and go do the
women. 1t is eaten clear to this day, as IN sla.
very times, or with little most unsavOry and uC.
mpting bacon, but oftenerclear than any other.
Among hundreds OF these poor beings, have
not seen ono knife or fork Orany spoons but
Thousands of slave quarters have no floors, none
OF them glass window, very few where have
boon, decent chair. still less table or chair.
saw infants and very young children paked from
years, with only single garment, and that
but a scanty apology. Many women young
and DID, had little on above the wsist
and nothing below the knees, and we're
doing days works that not white man in New
England or New York could perform. ct q rail-
road depot, last week, was detained an hour
for train. Several colord women were also wait.
ing, some with child or two, whose head they
without the most loathsOme success. One old
woman laid her head in the lap of younger oHe
and then regular Ku Klux Khan search was it,
stituted through it, with results, too, Of which
need low speak.
"The ballot msy be the one thing needful
there; but, it seems to me. soap, sand, fine tooth
combs, pots, kettles, chairs, tables knives, forks
spoons, decent food, cooking and clothing, glass
windows, and even looking glasses, should al
least go side by side if they may not precede the
rights of suffrage and of sovereignty"
No Southern editor has said more, and
none with so little regard for taste or feel
ing in speaking of the colored race. In
the extracts quoted are contained every
objection which the Southern people have
urged against negro suffrage and Cogress
ional reconstruction. We were willing to
give the negro every right and protection
which his condition demanded. Our own
interest and common humanity required
that We should take care of, and elevate
them. Their wellbeing, their enlig hten
ment and civilization was political and
social necessity aud moral duty. We
looked hopefully to the time when they
would be capable of exercising the right:
Of citizenship. Contrary to our deep set
tied convictions Of the best interests of the
country, and in violation of natural anc
political laws, party necessity and section
al prejudice, violently and suddenly thrust
those powers upon them.
It is now useless to talk of negro suf
frage The step has been taken, and Mr.
PILLsBURY's second sight comes too late
The Southern people will now labor tC
make the negro worthy of the privilege!
which have been co Inferred upon him. W.
will not and cannot take from him the bal
lot, but will try to learn him to use it in
telligently and for the benefit of white
and black alike We will endeavor te
withdraw him from the bareful influence OF
bad men, and urge him to unite with us in
building up the prosperity of he country.
We feel confident OF ultimate success, AID
the day is not distant when the intelligent
blacks will be q great conservative power
in the South.