The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-04-03

their party; some Of their measures.
such Fhs legislating q CITY council into
Office over the head Of another council,
perhaps equally Republican in charac-
ter; or such as extending the limits of
a city or town in order to embrace more
purpose; but even these have found
sturdy opponents among the race, who
will not lend themselves to any policy,
however advantageous, that is not fully
sustained by precedent or principle.
AS said before, the colOred people
may, for awhile, distrust the profess
sions of white men, but when they see
not merely matter of politics, but of
practical benefit to the State, which is
involved in n combination Of strength,
confidence will be restored, and the two
races will work together in harmony.
@. Is there disposition among the
colored people to improve their oppor-
tunities?
A. Undoubtedly; large numbers of
colorcd children are attending school,
many of their parents, by economy and
industry, have accumulated means as
n class they dress better than before,
and there are general evidences of inn
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, and 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 pleasurably contemplating, because
they see in the eadvancementO Of this large
c0lOred element corresponding degree
of advantage. to themselves and the
State. We want intelligent labor. AS
on agricultural community we must de-
pend upon it for success, and, if it cam
not be brought from abroad, our policy
is to promote all educational influences
at home. 1t is O realization of the fact
that the interests of the two races are
common, that each depends upon the
other, that the black man is essential to
the welfare of the white man, and that
both must work together in the busi-
ness concerns of life, which has brought
men to their senses. We are, in short,
becoming progressive.
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Q. Allow me to ask, Governor, what
is likely to be the operation of the fif-
tecnth amendment throughout the
South
A. It is my belief that i'll few
years Congress will find that they have
put into the hands of the South q 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, it's strongest OppO-
nents will then be those who live south
Of the Mason and DiXOn's line. So
identical will the interests of the two
races here eventually become-ail local
causes Of irritation being removed
that the South will go into n national
contest with NIL her arnor on, carrying
with her the balance of power, and the
ability to determine every veXed qucs-
ton of national politics. ideas do not
always eliminate in u day or q genera
ton, and we can well afford to wait
the issue, knowing that mind will at
last triumph over muscle, and secure
for us as n people united, without re-
spect to color, all the rights to which
we are entitled. In other words, New
England will not always dictate to us
from the floor of Congress, and the
North generally will not enjoy the
blessings of partial legislation, In this
light, looking to the future for results,
I think we should be grateful for the
fifteenth amendment.
TIE FATE OF TIE NEGRO.
q. 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 left to till the crops. But what
are your views on this subject?
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 foundation
Natural causes, which you will readily
understand, are Mt work to produce this
result. In old times, under our system,
the health of slaves, especially of the
young, was a matter of constant solici-
tude. Unless OH extraordinary occa-
sions, they were neither over-workcd
nor permitted to lounge in idleness.
They were fed on substantial food, COM
fortably clad, properly amused, and had
no cares. When i'll, the plantation
physician was called in, and all his
skill applied to the business of rcstora-
ton. The slave represented money
money i'll himself and money in the
current years crop. 1t wasn't profita-
bic to allow him to be sick, and much
less profitable to let him die. The con-
sequence was that, between the year
1900 (whcn there were only $4,000
slaves in the United States) and the
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