The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-06-24

III OXI o. w. W.
Ex.Gov. Scott and the Colored People,
COLUMBIA, s. G., June II, 1875
I III the Hon. Richard Il. Gleavss, Neutenant-
Governor of South Carot'nG-D!Es.AR DIR: 1n
renlv to YOUR request that l will express my
views on the subject of the future OF the col
ored men in the South, accompanied by your
suggestion that my intimate connection Win
fhe reconstruction of this State has given me
rosnv advantages in forming correct judg-
nnent on the subject, have the honor to say
that take great pleasure in complying, and
srust YOU viii not be disappointed if present
a uicture that does not altogether meet your
hopes. In doing so, however, am compelled
fo take M the subject, to some extent, from the
feginning of the war, and will try to be correct
In whatever I state, and just in any conclu-
sieRs draw. ~
am obliged to say, at the outset that the
colored man in the South, and, perhaps, an
over the country, has been too confident IN the
belief that there is a party or 8 considerable
class of men who are ready to sustain MIN
purely on the ground of color, or in conse'
quence of his people having been so long en- en-
that when the war began, there was no organ
Sxed party in favor of the unconditional aboil,
zion of slavery. There were few OF the oid
sbolitionists who favored an emancipation pol
lev without regard to its results to the country.
Rnt there was not q State convention, nor a
Comfy or town meeting at the North, within
INV knowledge, that did net adopt resolutions
declaring to The South that, in their desire to
coerce the seeding States into submission to
the National Government, they had no desire
to interfere with the institution OF slavery
Many leading abolitionists were ready TO per-
NIT the perpetuation of slavery by consenung
60 q dissolution of the Union, leaving the South
entire power over slavery, and only demanaing
that they themselves should not De heio re-
sponsible for its continued existence. AS tne
s,roperty Of the South was the most valuable
of anv In supplying the Confederate army with
+ha NECESSARY means for carrying on the war
The proclamation of emancipation, and the
consequent encumbrance of immense numbers
of enoancipsted slaves, caused their organlza-
tion into an armed force. That is to say, the
immense numbers of emancipated slaves fee-
inc into the Union lines could not we'll be pro-
vi3ed for as private citizens; and, IS 1t was
necessary to furnish them with some means Of
subsistence, they were enrolled as soldiers.
+ look upon the passage of the Reconstruc-
tion Acts at that early day as serious mistake
/ believe that the true policy of the Govern
ment would have been to organize governments
in the Southern States with an Executive ap.
pointed by the President, and that that form OF
government should have continued, perhaps,
up to the present day. IF the National Gov
eminent really felt deep interest IN the wei
fare of the Southern States, it was its duty to
Give the people of those States the cheapest
form Of government that was practicable, and
tn organize and maintain amongst them sys-
tenn Of schools, providing the means OF educa-
ton for all classes of people who had been de-
nr;ved of the means of obtaining it, and espe-
c;allv for the colored man, if he was to become
y citizen. chat he might be better fitted for the
duties of citizenship and better prepared tor
the responsibility of organizing governments
and maintaining and supporting them. But,
instead of pursuing this liberal policy, and do
inc whatever else they might to develop the
resources and encourage the industry OF the
reconstructed States, and relieving the people
of those States, as far as possible, from Inc
burdens of taxation, the National government
uniustly and unequally taxed the main INDUS
try of the South to an extent that was unlair
to all classes, but especially unfair to the col
ored element, because they were tne producers
of the only staple on which the lana-no1Gee Ss
conld hone to rebuild his fallen fortunes. The
National Government taxed the production OF
cotton three cents pound, which took from
This State alone more money in one year than
has been collected in any one year to meet the
entire expenses of the State Government. Ii
r. was lust to tax cotton, the great staple OF tne
South. why were not wheat and corn, the mann
stanles of the North and West, taxed also7
Whv was this unjust and unequal dlscrlmlna-
ton made against the South!
The National Government having recognized,
maintained and protected the institution OF
alsvery during the whole period of its exls-
tence. was as clearly responsible for the lgnor'
anca of YOUR race in the South as were the slave,
holders themselves. It should have been well
known to the National Government that the
war had destroyed the entire wealth OF the
neople of the South, leaving them only tne!r
broad acres Of lands with no means to cuitl-
7ate them, and that the late master was wholly
unable to provide the means for the education
of his recent slaves, even if he had the dispo-
s;t;on to do so. I undertake to say that no
civilized government in the world would have
conferred upon white men, who had been held
for the same period in slavery, and who had
suffered all the disabilities that that condition
in life entails upon men, the responsibility OF
oroanizing governments for their own protec-
tion. against the will and influence of as large
81 minority as we had in this State, who pos
sessed nearly all the intelligence, and certainly
ali that was left of the wealth Of the State,
and who had but recently passed through
struggle in which they had shown q courage ,
and determination in the accomplishment OF
their purpose which had never been surpassed
i'm the history of nations.
It required, in my judgment, but little wis
dom TO have foreseen that reconstruction under
sol, circumstances would be likely to be atten-
Ssd 18th the most serious mistakes. And, in
docking over the past, must express my sur
prise at the measure OF success that mas stsen
Sed the organization and maintenance OF gov, "r
e iii remember that, in 1865, the National Gov
eminent @ provided plan for organizing govern
,nents in the States which had seeded from the