The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-09-14

former slaves, resulting in mutual advan.
tage to both parties. Ny old slaves are
cultiyating the land on which they have
lived for years, and there has been con-
slant and marked improvement in their
industr in each year since their emanci-
patton, though they have not yet attained
the same efficiency as laborers they for
merly possessed. have promised to
put up for them a school-houset and
church, and to pay porti n of the salai
ries of their teachers. Such q system, if
generally adopted, would tend greatly to
fix the laborers to the soil, and would, by
adding to their content and enjoyment,
result in vast ultimate benefit to the land
lord, That kind treatment, just dealing
and sincere efforts to improve their con-
dition, are not without effect upon them,
is proved by the fact, gratifying to my
self, that am on my way to Mississippi,
by the request Of hundreds of negroes,
besides my own laborers, to advise them
what course to pursue in the approaching
election there. I am not one of those
who believe that the mere possession of
the rudiments of education makes peo-
pie stronger, better or happier; "a little
learning is dangerous thing" and un-
less moral education goes hand in hand
with intellectual, the seeds of knowledge
will be sown on a barren soil, or will
produce but thorns and thistles but I
do believe that in proportion as you
make all labor, other than compulsory,
intelligent, you render it profitable. If
this be true, we should educate the mind,
the at and the soul of the negro, look
ing at the question only in its material
aspect and leaving out of consideration
altogether those higher and nobler mo-
tiyes which should prompt US to do so.
A longer experience of his new acquired
freedom, and his acquisition of higher in
telligence will teach him; not only his
dependence on the whites Of the South,
but the. great truth which no laws can
change, ri46
-"in every soil,
That those who think must govern those who toll"
The old slaves of whom he speaks, oc-
cupy his plantations upon the Mississippi:
Several hundred in number-six or eight
hundred, We have heard-they have
never faltered in their fidelity to him.
When the war was over and they were
first made fully aware of their changed
condition-freedom from slayery-free-
dom to 60 wherever they pleased-they
all, without an individual exception, de-
termined to remain with him. They
called upon him, asking his leave to re-
main and work for him as they had al
ways done. Is not that triumph? Has
a slave-owner ever, in the history of the
world, received such tribute of loyalty
and devotion? And why? Because he
has been Just and kind and true, to them.
We have now seen General Hampton
as boy noted for daring and generosity
AS legislator, true to his convictions
of right aud humanity, although in a
minority-as private, ready-as a Col
onel, earliest in the field-as a General,
(Brigadier, Major and Lieutenant, brave,
dashing, firm apd invincible; whether
marshaling divisions to victory, OF lead
ing an impetuous charge, or dropping q
tear at the side of dying son on the
field as fighting on his native soil he
leaves his home to- the 1pillage and the
torch ofa merciless foe :as sheathing his
sword when the Conquered Banner went
down in defeat-as a planter, returning
to the pursuits of peace-as 4 master,
counseling with his devoted servants s-
and as man, in all situations, we have
seen him brave, just, earnest, courteous,
firm, merciful, and in all things, and
above all, We have seen him manly and
truthful. ~ ~ -"F
In making this portraiture Of Gen.
Hampton, we have felt free to express
our high estimate of his public services
and private character, which, from the
essential nature of the CASE, are insepara.
BILE, because hs. Is q representative man.
In discussing him., political enemies have
discussed the South, and in abusing him,
they have assailed South Carolina. Ac-
cordingly, when we demonstrate his title
to admiration, our argument is not per-
sonal, but public and when We seek to
defend him against malignant misrepre-
sentation, our aim is to defend whatever
is pure, true, brave, manly, and chival-
rous--in one word, whatever is Southern
in Southern character. ..,.