The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-06-14

| Ia committee OF c0l0red men went IN just
before me) I always give them the prece-
dence." He talked very freely about the
condition of affairs in the State, and it
seemed to me very sensibly. He said it
was bad policy as well as bad principle
to intimidate or oppress the negro in any
way. The only true course was to con-
ciliate him. On the question of educa-
tion, he favored equal appropriations for
both races; because, as he alledged, they
were too evenly divided in the State to
make co-education practical Neither race
wanted it-and because they were not
upon the same intellectual plane, and
could not study together to advantage in
the same classes. He thinks the young
negroes are more precocious than the
whites, but as they grapple with advanced
studies they have, as the jockeys say, no
staying power. He has no objection to
negroes occupying any position for which
they are fitted; but thinks the North
must be convinced that as legislators in
South Carolina they are more than
failure. He said that he knew them
through and through, had always been
their friend, and they knew it; and,
while they made excellent laborers and
skillful mechanics, he had yet to see the
first negro who ever originated or inven-
ted anything. He expressed his appre-
citation of the kindness of conservative
Republicans in Massachusetts toward
him, and especially of the Republican.
Toward evening I visited his family man
sion, referred to above, very large edi-
fee of cut stone, occupying whole
square, and tastefully, rather elaborately,
laid out. The Governor lost his slaves
by the war, his lands and home by debts
and high taxes, and is poor. The people
of the State tried to make up purse to
buy back his homestead, but he forbade
it. He is certainly trying to do right,
and we shall all watch bis course with
great interest.
The old State University, the pride of
the whole South, is, at present, practical
ly q high school for negroes, and its
buildings and grounds are in q sadly
dilapidated condition. Thenegro Legis-
lature have actually paid-coyering it
up as beneficiary fund-$2O a month
to the negroes to induce them to attend
the school, and got only about 50 to avail
themselves of its privileges. Yesterday
they elected a new set of trustees, and it
is hoped that under different manage
ment it may regain something of its old
prestige.
No man can forecast the future of this
State. The problems they have to face
here are gigantic, almost terrible, and
have become so marred and tangled by
party hate and race hate that it will take
wise and cool heads to solve them; but
at present "hands Off SHOULD be the
demand Of every fair and sensible man.
The best elements from both races are
coming to the 'front.' and, as long as they
are honest and fair, they must be encour-
aged in their work.
I have written the above just as it has
come to me to-day, and, I believe, with
out any prejudice whatever. I am glad
to testify to the courtesy which I have
everywhere received. Though coming
uncredited, and as a Massachusetts, Re-
publican, I have been welcomed with
cordiality and interest that we bustlihg
Northerners rarely take time to bestow.
r. II. M.