The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1882-01-19
Negro Exodus Question. 4

South Carolina for the negro TO emigra.e
better for the peace of society, better polite
ally, and for the general progress and i'm
provement of the county. You also safl
"that the negro was naturally jmprovdent.
had no thought of succeeding in the world by |
economy and hard licks." AS q rule this is
true, but there are quite number Of excep-
ions TO this rule. In looking into the negro
question, rs il is termed we believe by the
press, we find that it involves serious feat
ures which are directly connected with it,
And we maintain views on this subject that
are directly opposite TO yours. In the first
place, to discuss the above subject fairly and
equitably we must not allow our minds to be
biased by prejudice based on the results Of
the institution of slavery as il existed in the
South fews years since. The negro is here
and he is not responsible for it. He is ans
ongst us, as an ignorant and poor man, q care
less, and as you say an 'improvident man,"
But there is q cause for his possessing the
above bad qualities and being in the condi>
iion he is. Which cause is his MASTER the
white man he belonged to. The slave holder
controlled the negro just like hc did his horse
| by the bit, that is he was directed and gov
| erned by the same principle. His work was
| pointcd out TO him TO be done according to
certain directions. His food was issued to
him by the week. day, nnd very often by the
single meal, clothing when necessary, very
ofteu not then. This system of treatment is
| the cause Of the negro's unihrifiy disposition,
which resulted in a fixed habit of the negro
and from habit into n second nature; all of
which is the result of Tue slave holder never
allowing the negro the opportunity Of provid-
ing for himself. The reason why lie has no
capacity of mind rs you said, is because his
master never allowed him the opportunity to
exercise his mind, his reasoning powers, his
| judgme 1T. The negro's mind has been kept
dormant, he was never allowed even TO make
| suggestion in regard TO his masters plana-
| lion affairs, Can we then DC surprised to
find the negro, only n few ycors after his
freedom, after his waking up out of his dor.
mnut state, 10 know anything, to be my body
much? No, and besides he was never allow
cd to travel and learn anything by observa-
ton, kept on the plantation closet than the
stock, 1t was always observed, and forcibly
too. how much more intelligence the carriage
and wagon drivers had than the field hands,
which is good illustration Of the above. 1t
will require several generations for The negro
| to dvest himself Of the habit of slavery forced
on him, anu learn to depend on his own re-
sources for The ncccssat ses Of life, and learn
I hat his character, and society, which he
h clips 10 make, must he based on the right
kind of principles.
Again, mau Is creature of circumstances
| by which he is always controlled and govern
| ed, be ocausc circumstances won't yield, and
man must. Suppose the white race had been
in bondage as long rs the negro, kept in n
state Of ignorance and darkness, received the
same treatment, not allowed TO exercise their
minds. or develop their intellect. Would the
white people, If freed, come out of freedom in
any better condition than did The negroes?
We .hink not. The white race would be in
| the same conditi on that We find the negro to
day, From the fact Tint The whites arc as
they are today is attributed tothe same prin>
ciple Of circu instances, and that other princi-
| pie, that necessity is the mother of Invention
The negro was placed under circumstances
| that it was not necessary for him to have
ambition" aspiration 10 stimulate him TO
| rcQui,e property, education. intelligence etc,
but, instead thereof they forced him into
habits Of general Incidence, which is the so
luton that solves the problem why it is that
the negro is in the condition he now is.
You sny. Mr. Editor 'phat we had better let
a., H. 81
he stays, from the fact that he is the best Ia
bore: that the South can get. Why? Because
he is 80 physically adapted, more than that
he understands our customs Of business, hab-
its, necessities, likes aid disikes, pccaliarities
etc., suits us ngricuiurally, ns we are cot,
ton producing people, hence need lnrge am
ount of hand labor If we raised grain. used
machinery, we would not need the negro Ia
Dor.
AS regards 'fhe negro being induced to
move to Texas and Arkansas by glib tongucd
strangers and flaming advertisements" were
not good many whites Of this and other
counties induced year ago to 60 West by
the same means. The writer saw thirty
white souls take passage at Central on the
Air Line Rond for Texas and Arkansas, after
the same Canaan that the Edgefeld negroes
are after.
Again, from the fact that the negro is bcre
with us as free man, there are certain du>
ties devolving on us rs their superors, toward
them, duty We owe them as fellow humans
and citizens, and it is point Of policy polil-
ically to maintain friendly relations with