Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-08-21
From Washington.


Mr.. EDITOR:
As partial answer to the letter of
G. M. E. lately published in the Ken
osha Union, | desire to state a few
facts as to the justice of the Confeder-
ate Democracy to the colored citizens
who work their plantations.
A friend of nine went to one of the
Southern States with view Of en-
gaging in business with Southern
merchant After arriving at his des-
tination, lie concluded that he would
serve term as a clerk in the store
and learn the manner of doing business
before making any investment. He
found that it was the uniform practice
to charge a colored man, working
plantation, one hundred per cent. more
for what he bought than they ever
asked white people. They urged all
the liquor upon him that it was thought
safe to trust him for, and when under
the influence Of liquor, it was not an
unusual thing to pass one dollar bill
upon him for ten dollar bill
The treatment of the freedmen was.
such that my friends conscience would
not allow him to engage in the bust
ness, and he gave u2 his clerkship
and returned to the North. This is
true statement of the manner in which
business is conducted by one Of the
largest merchants in one of the princi-
pal cities of the South.
In another State in the South a
lawyer who was present at the trial
gave me the following facts: A plan
ter who had leased his plantation to a
freedman entered complaint against
the freedman for stealing corn. The
proof showed that the negro planted
some Of the growing corn for food,
being corn which he himself had plant
ed. As soon as the fact was shown
that the corn was on the leased land,
the District Attorney at once said that
there was no cause for action, and the
Judge instructed the jury to return
"a verdict of mot guilty." hut the
prcJudices of the Confederate De-
mocracy were SO great against the poor
negro that the jury brought in a YER
dict of guilty, and under the abomuia-
bic system of Southern injustice the
negro had to remain in jail several
months, for picking his own corn, be-
fore an appeal could be heard at a
higher court
Hon. Joseph H. Rainey, ex-Con-
gresham from South Carolina said to
New York Tribune reporter, short
time since.
Il have in my hand, letters which
indicate that the whites are now be-
ginning to whip colored children in
their service as they did in the DAYS of
slavery. and my correspondents say
they have no redress In the courts.
The trial justices being Democrats.
take no cognizance of these things.
| am fearful that forbearance will
cease. feel as though the colored
people cannot stand this much longer
without being goaded on to some des-
perate deed. for their manhood will
one day assert itself. See, here is one
of their intimidating circulars. [ re-
ceiyed it from Marlborough County. "
The circular is a small slip OF coarse
yellow on which Is printed:
Are you Republican? Yes.
Whom do you get your meat from?
4 Democrat.
Who furnishes you home, A
Democrat.
Do you know how to keep these
No.
Vote the Democratic ticket and it
will be all right with you.
What is the remedy for these ills
you speak of, Mr.. Rainey?' was asked.
''In my Judgment" was the reply.
1.-THE remedy for the ills which now
hang SO heavily over this oppressed
people is to be found in emigration.
| have no fear of failure in new
country where they will be permitted
to enjoy their rights aud other advan-
tages appertaining to citizenship.
have heard establishment expressed at
the colored peoples leaving the mild
climate of the south to go to the rigid
climate of Kansas or elsewhere in the
Northwest. 1t was not Thought to be
SO injurious when the shareholders
sought to establish slavery on the soil