The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-02-20

But what has the negro to say of himself, and
what are his sentiments regarding his stua-
tion9 have talked with many colored
man during my present tour through all the
southern states, and it is their opinion that the
white folks made a mistake in giving them
the right of franchise so soon after their being
liberated from slavery; that if they had to re-
main for at least five years. or until the ma.
jority Of them knew what It was TO be in
freedom, they would be better off and there
would be none of this suffering tn at now ex.
lists. They did not want it, and think that if
it was changed to-day they would be better
off and better state of feeling would exist
between them and the white people. This is
what the colored folks say about themselves.
To judge of the coored element of the
south by those seen at the north would be
about as fair comparison as to say chalk
and cheese are alike. Those at the north are
intelligent and often educated, and always
had to earn their own living, while those of
the south knew nothing about anything but
such everyday objects as fall under theli
personal observation, and not amenabe to
reason. They are much more ignorant than
the average eight year old children of the
whites. Those who gather about the cities
and towns are the elite Of the race-the intel
lectual, cultivated and refined. That the
morals OF the negro are low none tries
to dispute, but they show it in our halls
pf 1puislntinp Whppaunr h;lc
punish theft come up; and am told tina, it
is positive fact, that the negro vote in the
southern legislatures has thus far been cast as
a unit IN opposition to every measure design.
ed to repress thieving. Yet these are the
creatures who'testity of crime in the south,
and whose words are believed bv radical
leaders IN preference to the oaths of men who
respect the sancty of an oath, and who would
not lie to save any party from destruction.
But the truth is, as near as | can learn, white
men in the south have no controversies with
colored men; they know them, and what they
are. In order to know what kind of leglsla-
tors they make In their native state, will re-
late circumstance that | was witness to at
Jackson, Miss, a week or two ago. HAPPEN.
ing into the Assembly Chamber, there was a
bill on taxation before the House. 1t was de
bated at some length, when colored repre-.
sentative addressed the speaker in the usual
accent. SAID he: ode white man owns de
lam, don't dey? and don't we make de laws {?
dats what | ak you. Now, Mr. Speaker, if
dc white folks own de Ian an we make de
laws, how we gwine to live widout taxn' de
lan'' OATS what l AK YOU How would
northern people like to have such representa-
tives and be governed by such ignoramuses :?
How long would they stand it? Not long /
think. 1t is easy, then, to imagine the feel
ings Of the southern people on this question,
especially when we take into consideration
that before the war it was a rare thing to see
negro drunk or in Jail, but that now drum.
kenaess and lawlessness prevail to an alarm
ing extent. Prisons are swarming with them
and even insane asylums are rapidly filling
up with them. The question Is, how do they
get crazy-on what?
This state of things is worse in Mississippi,
Louisiana and Alabama thaa in all the rest
of the southern states, and most Of the white
people in these states would be glad sell out
and leave the country. Beautiful plantations
can be purchased there now at from two to
twenty dollars per acre
THIS idea that if northern men went south
they would be murdered, Observation-Disclosures
down like dogs-is fearful mistake Moth
ing would please the southern people better
than to see three or four hundred thousand
northern men come down here and settle
among them, bring Their families along and
make themselves happy. They can rest as
sured that they would be heartily welcomed
and Hospitality treated, and nothing would be
left undone to make them teel safe and to
know that they were at home.
| must say, for myself that IN all my tray.
els have not met a more social, kind and
hospitable people than l have met here in
the south, ard shall never forget the pleasant
treatment which | have received from all
down here. In saying this, only speak the
sentiments Of thousands besides me; and all
who travel the south Will agree with me in
saying that they are the kindest people on
Gods green earth. j. W. HAMMOND.
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