The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-04-13
THECoLoREp PEOPLE.
@ Is it your belief that the negro o.

W ~N yvut UoAoA suet suo u0SEV cat
be controlled?
A. Il depends upon the material yor
work with, and the material you worl
upon. The most ignorant are the mos,
radical the most intelligent are the
most conservative aud my experience
with them, in the capacity of legisla-
tors, satisfies me that as far as lies ia
their power they mean to do only thai
which will rebound to the best interests
Of the State. Naturally, much of their
action has been based upon the determi.
nation TO strengthen their party; some
Of their measures, such as legislatink a
city council into Office over the head OF
another council, perhaps equally Re.
publican in character or such as ex.
tending the limits offs city or town iu
order to embrace more votes, have been
extraordinary in their purpose but
even these have found sturdy oppoD ents
among the race, who will not lend
themselves to any policy, however ad-
vantageous, that is not fully sustained
by precedent or principle. As said
before, the colored people may, for
awhile, distrust the professions Of white
men, but when they see them in earnest,
and discover that it is not merely q
matter Of politics, but of practical benefi:
to the State, which is involved in q
combination Of strength, confidence will
be restored, and the two races will work
together in harmony.
Q. Is there disposition among the
oolored people to improve their oppor-
tunities?
A. Undoubtedly large numbers of
colored children are attending sshool,
many Of their parents, by economy and
industry. have accumulated means; es
class they dress better than before,
aud there are general evidences of i'm
provement. There is of course large
class of idlers, lazy men and women,
who have no ambition to do more than
live from hand to mouth. These prey
upon society, aud bring their race into
disrepute !; but this is an evil which
only time can cure. It is the brighter
side Of the picture which our people are
rleasurably contemplating, because they
see in the advancement Of this large
colored element corresponding degree
Of advantage to themselves and the
State. We want intelligent labor. As
an agricultural community we must de-
pend uron it for success, and, il it can
not be brought from abroad, our policy
is tc promote all educational influences
at home. 1t is realization of the fact
that the interests Of the two races are
common, that each depends upon the
other, that tho black man is essential to
the welfare of the white man, aud that
both must work together in the bust.
ness concerns OF life, which has brought
men to their senses. We ore, in short,
becoming progressive.
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
@. Allow me to ask, Governor, what
is likely to be the operation of tho fif-
teenth amendment throughout the
South2
A. 1t is my belief that in a few
years Congress will find that they have
put into the hands of tho South two
edged sword that that with which they
intended to deprive the white man Of
power has only doubled it. And should
the question Of repeating the clause be
raised, its strongest opponents will then
be those who live South of the Mason
and Dixon's line. So identical will
the interests of the two races here even.
tually becomc--all local causes of irrita-
tion being removed-that the South
will go into national contest with all
her armor on carrying with her tho
balance of power, and the ability to de-
termine every vexed question of nation.
al politics. Ideas do not always culmi-
nate in day or generation, and we
can well afford to wait tho issue, know.
ing that mind will at last triumph over
muscle, aud secure for US as o people
united, without respect to color, all the
wrights to which We are entitled. In
other words, New England will not al
ways dictate to US from the floor of
Congress, and tho North generally will
not enjoy the blessings of partial legis-
lation. in this light, looking to the
future for results, I think We should be
grateful for the fifteenth amendment.
THE FATE OF THE NEGRO.
Q. I have frequently seen it stated in
the public prints that the negro is dying
out, and the fear is expressed that, in
the course OF time, there may not be
enough lett to till the crops. But what
are your views on this subjcct2
A. 1t is one to which I have not
given careful attention. Yet my OBJ
servation Of the mortuary records OF
our principal cities satisfies me that
the fear expressed is not without founda.
:ion. Natural causes, which you will
readily understand, ore at work to pro-.
duce this result. In old times, under
our system, the health of slaves, es-
pecially of the young, was matter Of
constant solicitude. Unless on extra
ordinary occasions, they were neither
over-worked nor permitted to lounge in
idleness. They were fed on substantial
food, comfortable clad, properly amused
and had no cares. When i'll, the planta-
ton physician was called 10, and all his
skill applied to the business of restora.
ton. The slave represented money
money in himself and money in the
ourronk vao "a cron r. mocnsk rrnfika-