New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-04
AN EMIGRANT TO THE SOUTH.
HIS VIEWS on LIFE IN TEXAS.
TEN YEARS EXPERIENCE OF THE WAY THE
TIvEs TREAT NORTHERN SETTLERS AND COLOR


TEN YEARS EXPERIENCE OF THE WAY THE Ma
TIvEs TREAT NORTHERN SETTLERS AND coLoRED
MEN.
TO the Editor OF The TrtbUne
SIR, propose to give you the sum OF my
experience Texas though do not Tor a moment sup
pose that mine has beeu unusual experionoe have
simply been One OF the Fools" here early IN
1869 aud excepting have resided In the
State since III Caldwell County aud here over ten
years OF arduous struggle have proved how hard
IL for n OF Northern principles 10 even exist
among rebels Experience Of human nature 10 Northern
States svas 10 nothing here. Iexpeced some dis
like and bitterness Of feeling, and degree Of social
osracism but also expected that the intelligent.
at least would reject the preferred aid Of intelligent
industry from the hated Yankee. Although wholly
destitute of money arriving here. felt myself
sessed OF that kind OF capital that elsewhere IL counted
worth more than money. was skilful as mechanic
and builder, well experienced IN agriculture and
raising, etc-n all these practically as well as
with regard scientific methed. Isoon learned that
had mistaken the feelings and nature OF this high
toned society,"" They would prefer to live In mud
howell a comfortable dwelling in anything like Yankee
STYLE Or they would do without help improvements
OF any kind than employ Northern workman
Whenever they did give me employment 1t was always
contrived keep my wages below negroes even. and
every precaution taken 10 prevent my getting
ahead even with the economy To this end tho
lowest praetsed and they did not hes
tate TO break contract lie outright TO derange
aud break ua plans and work, 10 their own i'm
mediate damage TO this end they each under the
surveillance the other, and when any prompted
by regard for interest gave profitable work,
he was made TO suffer for SO doing. aud some
times, l know, called directly 10 account
therefor II was II they were oil under
secret oath OF enmity toward Northern people,
which believe TO be the fact Extreme reluctance was
shown giving possession OF the title to town lot
offarif uasH FIR hn
lessly, to involve me in way that would be
obliged to forfeit 1t failing in this. they afierward
broke me up by stealing all my most valuable personal
prOperty-horses, etc.
Personal insults were continually heaped upon me
They are sfu ia giving these indirectly as they arc
IN getting the drop" with the knife and pistol
In all these eronteres they rapidly worse as the
Democratic party gained the ascendenoy. The local
paper teemed weekly with the coarsest abuse OF North
ern people The foulest language was applied 70 women
OF the North and in printing Mr. Greeeys game at the
head OF the 1872 capital letters were used
this by the way, avOrte method OF insulting Union
men, When the rebel who had named his child after j.
Wilkes Booth the assassin was discharged from once
at Washington, he was most heartily applauded here,
and The LOckhd3t Netcs Echo remarked Would to God
the South had million Booths, each one armed with
dagger TO pierce the hearts OF Yankee tyrants When
news came OF the Chicago and Boston fires, there was
ouen exultation with the hope expressed that New
York phia and the other - Yankee cues
"a.
leading men, " the bgh.toned gentlemen
They speak continually OF law-aoidng virtues their
negro aud white they nate In the mrs. place;
the laws arfuly contrved TO this END IN the second
place they are always executed the officers IN ao-
cordance with the prevailing sentiment OF TIE Peopiy,
So escape from this False testimony always a, hand
tine truth is sQueched II admitted Is cast asde anu
only that pied which suits the purpose OF the con
| snrators Tie negro is easily entrappod. aud the
smallest offence sends him TO the penltentlary Le.
chain gang II lac ressts. commits an assault he
killed al once II a sham trial Is had ana ne If coh-
ycted OF murder there Is no legal punishment, b9t tne
three hundred more OF less appear and uelnanu ,ne
keys Of the jail aud punish the prisoner a. .hey see ~"
known to fay him alive, or Dlnd MN on ioe De
fore mill saw and run him Oeet fOreI1osU through
the mil. Inere nave peeh nj eas' uVZe Tn,
committed in and about L0ckhart Caldwell county,
nnnllcly therefor II a white man the perperaor
he would absent himself for a few days; the Coroner
and so the would drop In several instances after
the death OF the guilty party, have nyse been toiu
nil the particulars OF the murders, how and by whom
they were committed aud this by persons no were eL
amned under oath at the inquest ana hhe~ poynns'
! am forced 10 the following conclusions: % North
arn man of Union sentiments or independent charac-
Ter Will be forccI 10 UNDERGO insult and hardship OF
every even II he escape with his me- unless nc mas
always enough available TO keep himself IN all
respects ndep pendent OF the people OF the county tzl
Even a the best. the situation is rksome A sulen
apathy prevails. There is no appreciation OF improve
ment. reward for industry. much less honor OF IL
Texas country OF vast resources almost s j. Were,
WiOucheH, BUT me curse OF an ignorant lhsosn. thIl
less aud unasprng population Oi African ana MeNcan
origin, In places StafNes out
~ can little nope Tor the future. The old slOVe-
holding rebel representatives he lands almost
wholly hence control capital Ii Is their policy 10
continue this and perlOrce, those they do not IKE
will forced TO the condition OF seFfs Inc hnOwedse
Of purpose, clearly apparent. and OF ioets sc
az have In, doubtless te prime cause actuai.
ing the emigration Of tie negroes, which thlnk Will
confinue and know OF nothing hetTer for them Ia do
for Themselves country at large. In my opinion
great mistake made when the victorious North al.
lowed the States reconstruct themselves Instead
| OF placing them under provisional ana pioOatlohhl
Government for least ten during which TIME
4 atet,,l oh
iraiOusly guarded well as those of the whites Fed
al should be adjusted and amended as 10
insure the ulilment Of those acts of Congress ana
Constitution IL behalf OF the freed
| men which at present wholly nulhed by cunning
| State legislation. ,.-.- -.
Texas suffered severely from drought this year TIE
cotton raiscrs doing the best Most OF the grain con-
sumed heren imported from the North AS also
bacon flour fruits and vegetables Prosperity at the
North now means hard times here, for the Northern
farmer is well off with rising marked IN prospect
while poor Western Texas has almost everytnInst 10 "uyi
even tne grass Is nearly There has been no rain
TO start crop for the last four months Texas taken
altogether and its best has been much oNerrateu
| abroad. - a-o L. "O'DN"'~'
| San Antonio, Terds Dec. 20. 1879.