Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-03-12


womb of future yet holds these things.
You have heard how this bill, if pas
sed, will destroy our Southern free schools
Not only is that true; it is true, also, that
it viii destroy the white Republican
party in the South. If I desired only
party advantage, and not the welfare Of
the people of my country is in favor oft
all are bitterly against it, and all will
desert you ifyou pas it. But the evils
which this bill would entail on Us are
too great price to pay for any mere
party success; and therefore hope if it
comes to u vote it may be voted down.
Ifyou destroy our revivng free schools
what is to become Of us And especially
what is to become Of the orphans Of our
soldiers The negroes will fare better
than they. Private schools supported
by northern donations, by Friends. socie-
ties, by liberal contributions from negro
sympathizcrs everywhere, dot our hills,
and are filled with negro children. do
not complain of this; rejoice at it; for
l want all educated, by whatever means.
[ am an enthusiastic friend Of universal
education. Its of vital Importance to
the South that her newly cntranchised
race should be well instructed, But our
poor white soldiers orphans arc forgot
ten. No heart has a pulsation for them
except the hearts Of their poverly-st:ick-
eli living comrads. We are striving to
build up the ruined foundations, and
again TO consecrate the moldering shrincs
of learning for their benefit: but in step
the misguided negro and his, perhaps,
well meaning but mistaken patrons, and
say we shall not do SO unless we admit
him there too, despite what we know is
for his good and ours and ,notwithstand-
ing we everywhere psovide for him out
of our free bounty (for We pay all the
taxes) exactly equal, though separate,
privileges of education. If this spall be
forced OH us i'll spite of our protest, surely
the curse of Heaven, in response to the
orphans cry, will smite the Wicked, besot
ted, reckless rulers Of this countrv
The masses of the negroes Of the
South do not desire this enforced associa
ton i'll churches, in graveyards, hotels,
schools, and elsewhere, They know full
well, especially, that the intimate inter
mngling of the young will dcprave our
children and corrupt theirs. Its the
idle, mulatto, paper ol'arcd gentry, who
hang around the street corners and study
how to live without that faithful industry
to which our worthy colored men of the
South devote themselves, who keep up
this agitation. In North Caroliua, as in
the other Southern States, the whites and
blacks are living together in amity and
concord. In politics only do they differ.
lu regard to every other matter the black
man go?s to his old white master for
counsel as to his surcst, f;.ithfulest and
and most honorable friend. Has he a
littiel money to lay up? "Old master" is
his E,ost trusted savings bank. Is he
about to make trade? "Old master" is
his most judicious adviser. Is be iii trou
hle? He flies for protection to cold mas
ter" Is he in court and his reputation,
the all important ques ion, involved?
COX! master" is there ready to swear for
him and stand by him when everybody
e.se knows he is unworthy. He was
formcly faithful to cold MASTER" and
cold master" is still faithful and partial
to him. Such is our universal expert.
ence in the South And natural laws
are gradually settling all questions con
corning the proper social relations be-
tween the two races on practical and
reasonable basis. Why, then, come in
with your theories and experiments, and
out OF mere wantonncss disturb our
peace? Shall we never have done with
this empirical lcgi la,ion? Shall we never
have done with this cndangering of our
social and political machinery by sub
iecting it continually toncw and unneccs
sary strains? Why not leave time to
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