The sun., 1881-07-17
OUR BROTHER IN BLACK.
Ms Gradual DEVELOPMENT In the south-wby
he Bcgina TO Ren.on for HlmselE


ROANOKE, Ala, July 9.-while the author
OF the book Our Brother In Black /" is cer-
tainly correct in his descriptions OF the poverty
and illiteracy OF large majority OF the South
ern negroes. 1t is Justice to tho blacks to say
that they are gradually emerging from dark
ness. At the close OF the civil war. Northern
carpet-baReers. with Southern scalawags. rene
gades. demaRoRucs and unprincipled poll
ticans. taught them that 10 be a radical
was the acme OF glory. and that those who
voted for U. 3. Grant would eventually be
transported to the skies in chariots OF gold. dec
GRATED with jewels purloned from their former
mastersl These pen pictures OF glory and
stump-speech descriptions OF riches soon faded
from their vision. The colorod brother began
to realize the lamentable fact that to live high
and wear purple and linen required something
moro than attendance on radical primaries and
voting for U. 8. Grant.
Though ignorant and superstltious. the more
sensible colored man bowed to the stern laws Of
necessity and common sense. and returned to
his alma mater. the cotton patch and corn field.
The more ignorant and trifing resor,ed to the
hen roost. smoke house. and corn crib as a
means OF SUPPORT. Vagrant laws soon put
stop to their frequent depredations. The for
mer. under a kind Providence. through econ
only and hard labor. prospered.
AS the black mans eyes began to omen and
his common sense developed. he saw through
the tricks OF tho pet.bagRers and scalawae-
ere; The more he saw Of these rascals. the more
he lost faith in the radical party. until at last
sick and dieusted. many OF the sensible blacks
abandoned radiraltsm. cut loose from radical
good faith. alleging that party to be the true
friend OF tho colored race in the South. They
Meantime their States aided the education Of
colored children. Schools spranR up in every
p every state Eery man now votes
presses his pol itical sentiments without moles-
tation. Many hundreds OF colored men in this
State openly vote and work for the Democratic
nominees at every election. They assert that
the Democrats are their best friends. aud are
or course. We still have the lazv thievlng
negro. but he is stunned and not respected by
industrious colored people. While we have no
social equality. nnd while no one OF either race
wants 1t. without fear of contradiction the white
people OF the South treat tn. negro with far
lnborsr OF Nav England is trsntel by his ON
poysr. and the negro is batter paid and better
than any other class Of laborers on earth. Many
coiorcd men in the South are landowners, and
really good citizens. Their credit is good at
our stores the year round.
Industrious colored men pay little attention
to politics except in very important campaigns
and hoty contested canvasses. Indeed. the en-
tire southern peopls are weary OF so much po-
lit!'al turmoil. and are turning their attention
chanical pursuits. The South. however, is Dam.
ocratic. and Will remain so Hs long rs Northern
politicians continue to wave the bloody shirt
and assnssins.
There is still one trouble among tho colored
p+opis vi tho South. 1t Is superstition. The
greatest opposition to the education and prog
ress OF the blacks undoubtedly comes from
orally self-styled ministers OF the gospel. Old
gray-headed heather. who do not know q
Bible from an almanac. tramp around the
country Rnd preach about tho illteracy OF
Jesus Christ aud his apostles. making many OF
their hearers believe that an education-much
or lttle-is n dangerous thing 10 have. Yet We
pay thousands OF dollars annually 10 send mis-
sionaries 10 Africa and China. These old col
ored preachers. who are always Of tho radical
faith and some Of whom are doubtless In the
employ OF INSCRIPTIONS white Radical poll
ticians. often wind up their religious services
with an earnest prayer FOR the success ob
de Publican party"
The blacks OF the South are rapidly improv-
ing. There are many honest men and virtuous
women among them, aud many who reflect
honor on American citizenship. Il. Il. Is.