The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-08
THE EREEDMEN.
Tho "yattonaI Wards'' ut the National
Capital.

The Washington correspondent OF the
Springfield Republican writes;
The negro, at a casual glance, does not seem
to b8 solving his problem OF freedmanship very
rapidly. Every third person ono meets in
Washington is other black or specked, and is
generally hallooing at the top OF his OK her
| voice to some other lnky or variegatod indi-
vidual to como and have go5d time, OF is
having it alone. The black boot sinner curl5
up on his little box, and winks at tho sun,
| singing, and rarely persists in backing your
boots. The servants who sleep,ly open the
doors OF houses where one calls, always respond
to the demand if such person is in, "Deod
dom no, sah, and loave ono to mount the stairs
and find out for himself.
In the House an1 Senate galleries hundreds
of able bodied negroes. who ought to be at
work for themselves and tho good future, sit
idly listening to the debates. Every corner Of
the capital seems to be cncumbered with an
Ethiope, who, ragged and lazy, is still aueryng
whether or not 10 accept the energetic duties as
well as the privileges of freedom. Tho saucy
do-nothingne.s OF the Naples azzaroni affords
the only comparison. But do not think me
prejudlced OF complaining. lho bright day Tor
Sambo aud his family is coming. Little by lit
tie the uuskilled hands learn how to build the
structure Of independent manhood. Wherever
o negro is IN the city, he no longer cringes; but
asserts his equality, often, Of course, too OBJ
trusiyely.
lily frequent walks on tho Virginia side Of
tho river have not encouraged me so much as
I could wish, concerning the negro's progress.
From Washington to Arlington, and for fifteen
| or tWenty miles around, African color holds
sway. and walk affords desolate panorama.
In little trip OF five miles, the other after
noon, saw only two white faces. met hun-
dicds OF nesrocs. but they woro inevitably
desperately ragged. dirty, and not prcpossos-
| eino onnuu, n n1arit ucnuointhncn Inst y
the Virginia end OF the Long Bridge, CoDncc-
licut man has set up q little saloon, ald IN his
vcrnacuiar tho negro Inhabitants round about
were "a weak lot. Live mostly by plundelin' +,
they d." says he. know 1t by experience.
Don't seem 10 understand how to get good
living auv other way" Yet, directly opposite
his door, hosts Of donations from the freed
mems aid societies North were being unladcn
from the cars. Patent machines OF all kinds
were piled Ill wagons. These must have their
effect sooner or later.
Tic commissioners have just condemned tho
railroad bridge built during the war, exactly,
parallel with and uear to the famous ''iong"
one, for pedestrians; AMI passengers from
Richmond ant fllrthor South have to bc car
ried around By Alexandria. The track in some
places W s piled will brushwood, which indus
trious fracdmcn and women had chopped and
were about to carry away between trains. AN
arm OF tho muddy Potomac runs up nearly 10
aud there some negro boys we're getting water
in barrels and carrying it to the shantics in the
distanc,. Con.c;stiion with them, and with
many others that L mt. erinccd the fact that
the majority, outside Of The freedmcn's villages
at Arlington. Eal no regular occupation, aud
ono little fellow OIL being asked his occupation,
answered. Reckon doesn't do nuilin, most
IT," When he Tires OF that genial employment:
he will doubt'es. JON the laz7 bootbiacks in
the city, who Gawl out, "Glvo yer patent shine,
sal, in two shakes