The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-03-04
THE NEGRO AND THE SOUTH.
NOW York STAR

Nov York Start
Iftie colored race did not come here |
of its volition, nevertheless it is here |
III large numbers, and is here to stay. |
1t is not going back to Liberia or to |
any other part Of Africa, and the often !
organized "eNodus," whether senti-
mental or speculative, can never |
amount to more than a ripple on the
surface. The last Federal census de-
monstrates that the negro element in
the United States is increasing and inn
proving, and the vast bulk of it, is con-
centratcd in the Southern States,
where 10y decree of destiny and cir
cumstance it is ftea to remain. For
these reasons the condition and pros
poets of the colored people, inseparably
woven as they are into our social and
political fabric, constitute Il subject of
deep interest to every humanitarian
and statesman.
Down to a score OF years ago the
mass of the colored race here was sunk
in dense ignorance and brutalizing
bondage, ranking bat little above the
beasts Of the field. The only fraction
that possessed any noteworthy degree
Of intelligence was composed Of those
engaged in domestic service, whose
| faculties were sharpened and ifiumi-
mated by daily contact with their white
masters. 1t was pitiful condition for
any thing in human shape to be placed
but looking back upon it now, many
of us are prone to overlook the true
facts in the case, and entirely misjudge
the situation. Slavery was in its cs-
sence bad, but it was an evil inherited
| through many generations and perpet-
uated by the supreme law of the land.
Our forefathers had eaten sour grapes,
and the teeth of their children We're
! set on edge. The vast majority of the
American people, Democrats as We'll
as Abolitionists, admitted this fact,
and differed only as to the proper
remedy to be adopted. The conten-
| ton of democrats was that nothing
should be done in contraventiOn OF
law: and that emancipation when ac.
colnplishcd should progress by safe and
moderate stages, SO IT'S to avoid posi-
relief was sought.
The irresistible logic of events
wrought out Il more violent solution of
the problem and it is bootless now to
speculate on what might have been.
Tho Republican party, acting under
the stress of political necessity, eman-
cipatcd and enfraDchised the negro at
at stroke. Having thus constituted
him an important political factor, the
same party appointed itself his guide
and guardian, taking advantage of his
simple, credulous ignorance to make
him the milling catspaw Of its bases,
schemes. We need not reitorate here
the shameful story of carpet-bag mis-
government or Frecdman's Bureau
swindlc. Suffice il to say that the
colored man was merciIc~sIy pluclsed
and debas. by his ostensible pro-
tectofs.
Times, however, brings its revpnGes,
and today the negro is showing that in
twenty years he had made considera-
BILE advances toward his own genuine
emancipation. He has forgotten some
things and has learned more. He is
pushing forward into the learned pro.
fessions, although obviously hardi-
capped by his antecedents. Even the
former plantation hands are making
rapid strides. Now that the plumber
ing incubus OF clrpo basgnry is reno
we'd, the Southern States will soon he
able to immensely improve their edu-
cationat facilities, and the coiored peo-
pie will profit by the change. As they
grow more Intelligent, they Will divust
themselves more and more of habits OF
shiftlesS inholcncc, ana will come to
clearly realize that their better interests
are bound up with the welfare and
prosperity oflhn sections in which they
live. Under this process the color line
in politics must inevitably fade away.
The potato crop of the North and
> West have, to great extent, prove a
failure, and the SUPPLY being small and
held ut Il high price. In view of this
fact, planters arc advised to purchase
their seed before the price becomes still
higher. Also to plant early in order to
reap the benefit ofthe better market
rates that the early potatoes will GER
tainIy command. 1t is certain that
the Southern potatoes and Il ready mar