The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-08-01


Jim Grow him spell UNI letters berry little"
This was true. Out of the whole number, not
one could read or write Their ignorance is
dense. I saw but one foreman who could read
or write intelligibly. The representative OF
the district at Columbia was an old family SER
want of Mr.. BIS, and was taught to read by
his mistress that he might be better able to
follow his avocation as preacher among his
fellow-seryants. His requirements were not SO
great. however, as to prevent his rising in his
seat when an additional tax of several mills on
the dollar was under discussion, and declaring
that 'sNIas B. had more mills now on his place
than he could use, and he didn't see how any
more could be needed"
A striking element in the negros character
is his emotional nature-in fact, it may be said
to include his religious perceptions. They are
perpetually falling from grace, and their re-
fipious life is a continual ascent and descent.
But their method of ascertaining the genuine
ness of the reform in each other is novel:
When at one of their meetings an individual
of either sex processes return to better LIE,
a ring is formed upon the floor or ground by
loosely dropping broken bricks in circle.
Around this circle, on and among the bricks,
the unfortunate individual must hop, on bare
knees. while those present join in singing
chosen hymn. If the hopping is not compile
ted by the time the hymn ceases, the backslider
is considered unworthy of readmission, and, is
consigned back to the dominion of Beelzebub,
or vice versa if the result is different They do
not enjoy having outside observers of their
proceedings-preferring the darkness and some
retired spot in the forest. Here they frequent
ly dance, sing and shout the livelong night,
falling into paroxysms OF excitement and prac,
tically illustrating their own idea of religion"
Here is field for missionary labor unsurpassed
by any under the care of boards of foreign
missions Honesty, Mr.. B. said, was virtue
he never expected to find it was the rare ex-
ception. He made allowance for so much to be
stolen, and only guarded against its becoming
ruinous by selecting the worst thieves and
placing them on guard around the rice store
houses and buildings generally. For any neg
ligence. their wages are "docked" to the amount
of the loss incurred.
In manner they are very much the same as
formerly-perfectly respectful as rule, and
invariably using the prefix "mas" or "massa."
The very great objection upon, their part to
seeing one of their own number show evidences
of wealth is worthy of note. They consider 1t
only right and proper that their old masters
should ride good horses or drive handsome
equipages but let one of their own number 40
so, and there is furious hue-and-cry of "he's
nOClu DuC Il nigga. I'LL. ID . O"n Son'iS0N'
in regard to the conduct of the negroes with
whom he had come in contact since the war
was that under the circumstances they had
done as we'll and even better than could have
been expected This opinion find very gen
eral. But there can hardly be doubt that
had they been properly "let alone" there never
would have been the present trouble or the Jeal-
ousy and suspicion with which the races now
regard each other. The trouble has come from
outside sources and from the formation OF
leagues for political purposes. The power. OF
these associations over the negroes is something
amazing If there is symptom of rebellion,
all the leaders need to do is to raise the cry,
"You will be put back into slavery" and it is
enough to look upon any candidate with sus-
picion for whom their old masters or present
EMPLOYERS vote. Their release from slavery is
of course attributed to the Republican party,
and there seems to be a charm in the name which
is perfectly fascinating. '"rhere is Scowling,"
said Mr. B., pointing to the foreman over
gang of hundred hands in rice-held; u
consider him one of my most reliable, trust
worthy men. He knows me we'll, and really
think he would do anything would ask him
except vote for me; and, if he had his own
choice, he would do that but as matters stand
now it would be as much as his life is worth to
attempt it. He would vote in preference tor
the veriest rascal in the district-one whom ne
knew to be such-provded he called himself a
Republican. Although 1 do not know that |
have single personal enemy among them,
could not count on more than eight votes out
of all the men employ" Mr.. 3. never med
dies in politics, and these remarks were made
in reply to my question as to what chance ne
would stand were he to run for office. 10 the
question whether he "knew General Grant.
Scowling replied, "Yest, sab, vote for um."
"And you knew Mr.. Lincoln 2" "Fader
Abrum Ah, vest, sah." "And Mr. Charles
Sumner7" "No, sab, nebber hecred O. dat
pemman" "But you know Mr.. Greeley"
SNo, massa, 1 nebbcr did" Concerning the
two latter tried to aid his memory, but it was
useless-he had "nebber heered," he said, and
I could not find single man who had. / will
venture to say that his case is Identical with
that of four-fifths of his race in his State
Scowling struck the keynote. "Scowling,"
said Mr. B., "just suppose l was running tor
the office Robert holds at Columbia, and a Re-
publican ran against me. Suppose you knew
he would lie and steal whateye er he could
which would you vote for?" He tried to evade
the point, but upon Mr. BPS exhorting him "to
tell the truth" he said, "You knows berry WE'LL
Mas b., hasn't no objections to voting for you,
but de rest wouldn't let me- I must vote Gle
Publican ticket OATS dc trut, sah" The
same questions, put Il score Of times, both IN
Mr.. BIS absence and in his presence, elected
like reply.
EXCUSED FOR A CAUSE Capt. Tom Bug
bee was out with his company on detached du-
ty. In fact, he had two companies under his