The Greenville enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1870-1873, 1870-04-20

interests Of the State. Naturally.
much ofttheir action has been bas.
cd upon the determination TO
strengthen their party; some of
their measures, such as legislatine
o city council into Office over the
head Of another council, perhaps
equally Republican in character :
or such as extending the limits Of
q city or town in order to embrace
more votes, have been extraordin.
ary in their 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 sus.
tained by precedent or principle.
As I said before, the colored peo-
pie may, for awhile, distrust the
professions Of white men, but when
they see them in earnest, and dis
cover that il is not merely q mat
ter Of politics, but of practical ben.
efit to the State, which is involved
in . combination of strength, con-
fidence will sbe restored, and the
Two races will work together in
harmony. ~. = :. 80
Q. ls there o disposition among
the colored people to improve their
opportunities So ..-.a.
A. Undoubtedly; large num-
bers Of colorcd children are atten.
ding school, many of their parents,
by economy and industry, have
accumulated means /; as a class they
dress better than before, and there
are general evidences of improve
ment. There is of course q large
class Of idlers, lazy men and wo.
men, who have no ambition to do
more than live from hand to
mouth. These prey upon society,
and bring their race into. disre-
pute; but this is an evil which on.
ly time can cure. 1t 10 the bright
ar side Of the picture which our
people are pleasurably contempla.
ting, because they zee in the ad-
vancement OF this large colored
element q corresponding degree of
advantage to themselves and tie
State. We want intelligent labor.
As an agricultural community we
must depend upon it for success,
and, if it cannot be brought from
abroad, our policy is to promote
all educational Influences at home.
1t is q 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 to-
gether in the business concerns of
life, which has brought men to
their senses. We are, in short, be-
coming progressive.
THE FIFrEENTH AMENDMENT.
Q. Allow me to ask, Governor,
what is likely to be the oneration
of the fifteenth am d m g n t
throughout the South
A. 1t is my belief that in a few
years Congress will find that they
have put into the hands Of the
South a two edged sword; that
that with which they intended to
deprive the white man of power
has only doubled it. And should
tn Q question of repeating the
clause be raised, its strongest OPP
ponents will then be those who live
south of the Mason and Dixon's
line. So identical will he inter
ests of the two races here eventu.
ally become-all local causes OF ir
ritation being removed-that the
South will 90 into q national con-
test with all her armor on, carry.
ing with her the balance of power,
and the ability to determine every
yexed question of national politics.
Ideas do not always culminate in
q day or q generation, and we can,
well afford to wait the issue, know.
ing that mind will at last triumph
over muscle, and secure for us as
q people united, without respect 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 no. enjoy
the blessings Of partial legislation.
In this light, looking to the future
for results, ] think we should be
grateful for the fifteenth amend.
ment. -..
THE FATE OF THE NEGRO.
Q. l have frequently seen it
stated in the public prints that the
negro is dying ont, 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 subject7
. A. Ii is one to which I have not
given careful attention. Yet my
observation Of the mortaary re.
cords of our principal cities satis
fies mo that tho fear expressed Ia
n 81 n !.