The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-04-30
The indicator of the 18th devotes nearly

column to a detailed account OF the trial be-
fore county magistrate of several negro men
and women. There is no point, mo wit, no sense
in the whole column except an exposure ofthe
ignorance Of the poor negroes. Great care Is
taken by the reporter to spell the words as they
were pronounced by the parties. Whether
this was for the enlightenment OF his White
readers, OF to exhibit an eNpertness in spelling
by sound, and thus showing the want OF clll-
ture on the part Of the negroes in the matter
OF pronunciation and photography, or want
| of Judgment and feeling on the part OF the re-
porter, we don't care to know. When it is re-
| membered that it was crime in Virginia to
1 teach the slaves to either read or write, pun
ished by statute, and that the history OF that
race for two hundred years has been one OF
deprivation and oppression, it is not startling
that vast amount of ignorance exists among
them. Should this be a matter of sport and
merriment with the more highly favored white
| race In another column OF the same issue OF
| the indicator is given the evidence that they
are capable OF learning, for i'll the dramatic eN-
hibition at Waynesboro by the colored school,.
| the white visitors, who had attended 1t for
laugh, according TO the Vindicotor, We're taken
by surprise at tile talent displayed, and instead
| of sport at their misconception of the charac-
tiers represented, applause was the response to
to their unexpectedly fine impersoaations. A
visit to the coored schools of Staunton will de-
monstrate in a very striking manner their ca
pacity for learning. Their progress is equal 10
that of the white schools, all things considered.
If then the negro has capacity Tor develop
ment-has been endowed by his Creator With
mind and heart, and these have not been prop
erly trained heretofore, as is demonstrated they
have not been by the police report in the pin-
dictator, who is to blame? A great responsible
| ty rests some where, and it is not in consonance
with the instincts Of a christian civilization to
make it matter Of newspaper sport and vul-
| gar nerriment.
Robt. B. Elliott, the colored member Of Con-
eress from South Carolina, recently visited
Boston to deliver a eulogy ON Senator Sumner
His views were asked of the condition of his
State. and while admitting the ignorance of his
race. and the absence of experience and wis
dom in legislative duties, made the following
defence, the force of which must be admitted
by every mind that is not warped by preju-
4 dice that is more to be deplored than the ignor-
ance complained of. He said:
II ask no immunity from censure for my
race: I ask simply that the friends OF freedom
! will do them Justice, and will not Judge them
by the same standard that would be applied te
a race upon which the light OF education ano
refinement had been lavishly. poured for centu
ries. Strip yourself in your Imagination Of ed
ucation and all experience in governmental al
fairs, and place around you the black, rayless
gloom of a long night of slavery, and what
would you think OF that man who would once
ask that you rise to the full standard of self
| governing citizen, charged with the absolute
control of one of the States of the American
, Union. Instead of denouncing us, instead o.
e heaping censure upon u.s. instead OF condemn
ing us ON the eXparte testimony of those who
are bitterly opposed to us, let the friends Of
good government everywhere give us credit fol
what progress we have made, under the great
est disadvantages, and then lend us their en-
couragement and their aid, in fitting ourselves
for our position as free citizens, and vindicatins
the wisdom of that policy that welcomed us a!
} portion of the American people. do not re
greet that the condition OF affairs in South Car
: DINA has been called to the attention of the
public. Let the country know our true condi
ton and tell these people who complain mos
of the system of government in that State tt
lay aside their prejudces, to recognize all thu
people of the State as their felloW-cltizens, tx
reconcile themselves to the changed condition
of the emancipated class, and thereby win tn
confidence and esteem Of that people to Whom
for centuries they have been SO unjust. .
The following corroborative paragraph W.
find circulating in the papers generally;
OF curious character, indeed, are the nota
bilities of South Carolina. Sam Lee, Speake
of the Lower House of the Legislature, is mu
latto, and full of talent. But the smartest mel
are said to be the full-blooded negroes. Con
gresham Elliott is conspicuous example,
= Judge Wright, Associate Justice Of the Suprem
Court, is full blood, and an able Judge
Congressman Ransier is mulatto. 4. ID
Gleaves, President of the Senate, is a dark mu
latto, of dignitied department, and fills the p.
sition well-so say even the Democrats. He
). well known as Grand Master OF the colore
! Masons. There are other colored men in tn
Legislature who have decided natural abilities
but no education.
While our social economists are discussin
the subject of cremation, and few more OF th
enthusiastic are pledging themselves ito CIV
H..