The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-03-07
HAMPTON ON THE C0LORED MAN AND
HIS RELATIONS TO THE
COUNTRY

HIS RELATIONS TO THE
COUNTRY.
In discussing the question upon which
my views are asked, the limits prescribed
me in the invitation prevent anything more
than mere statement of opinion. Even
were this otherwise, my present condition
torbds me to enter into any extended or
elaborate argument. Mine must be, there
fore, simply q presentation in crude form
of the views | entertain, and have enter
tanned for some years, upon the grave ques-
tions submitted for consideration. [ shall
cndeavor to write in spirit free from all
partisanship or sectionalism, with the sole
purpose of promoting the cause of truth and
tho welfare of tho whole country.
The first question is, "Should the negro
be disfranchised ?" There has been much
agitation of this subject rectntly-chictly
at the North-and many who have hitherto
been the most earnest advocates Of negro
suffrage begin to think that the bcstowal of
this privilege upon him has resulted in fail
ure. Those who thus think suppose that
the withdrawal of the right Of suffrage
would Mt once restore the ancient and nor
NAL condition of things in the country ;
would re.establish friendly relations between
the races of the South and in 50 far as it
would diminish representation would lessen
the influence Of that section in national af.
fairs. This latter argument, regret to see,
has had most weight with a large class,
though it is inconsistent with true and
catholic patriotism-a patriotism which
looks to the good ofthe whole republic, and
not To that of a limited section.
But, whatever may be the motives of
those who desire the disfranchsement Of the
negro, the accomplishment of such result
has been rendered impossible by the action
of the national and State governments.-
Great and startling as have been the politi-
cal mutations of the last few years, the dis
franchisemcnt of the negro at this or any
subsequent period would be more surprising
than any political event in our past history.
The question, therefore, does not belong to
practical politics, and is mere speculative
one. Considering it in the latter aspect,
do not hesitate to answer in the negative.
Whatever may have been the policy of
comforting the right Of voting upon the
negro, ignorant and incompetent as he was
to comprehend the high responsibility thrust
upon him, and whatever may have been the
reasons which dictated this dangerous cxpcr-
iment, the deed has been done, and it is
irrcvocablc. 1t is now the part of true
craftsmanship to give it, as far as possible,
that direction which will be most beneficial
or least hurtful to the body polite
How is this to be accomplished ?
My answer would be, by educating the
negro up;i. he comprehcnds the duties and
responsibilities Of citizenship. BY "educa-
ton" | do not mean the mere acquisition Of
learning, but | apply the term in its broadest
sense. The possession of the rudimcnts of
education the mere mental training that
thi, implies-so far from being always benc-
fetal to its possessor, is often harmful
Many Of our lately enfranchsed citizens
make the first use of their newly acquired
ability to read and write hv committing
forgery, and here, at least, they have man
ifcstcd a wonderful aptitude. by educating
be cultivated pari passu with their intellect.
This moral education is Of far greater i'm
portance than an Intellectual one A man
is not necessarily better citizen because
he can read and write, nor does tho posses.
sion of these requirements make him, as a
matter of course, more competent to under
stand and discharge the duties of citizenship
l doub. whether the citizens Of that State
which makes its boast that more of its people
can read and write than in any other gov
ernmcnt, are equal in art, in culture, and
in craftsmanship to the Athcnians in their
palmicst days, who were, without any Of
these accomplishments, the most intelligent
and critical Of political constituencies.
AS the stability Of our institutions de-
pends on the intelligence and virtue of our
citizens, it is the duty Of every patriot to
promote the cause of true education. E.-
pecially is this the case with regard to that