Daily Los Angeles herald., 1882-06-29
Studies in the South.

Under the above heading series OF
papers, which has reached No. 8, is now
running through the Atlantic Monthly.
We copy the following from the July
number:
The Southern people, of all classes,
are generally so social, so fond of con-
versation, that rarely had any need of
special effort, or means OF Introduction,
to enable me to obtain access to any one
whom wished to see. Commonly the
mere declaration that was stranger,
desiring to learn about the industries
and resources of the country, was all
that was required. Most of the gentle
men upon whom thus called appeared
to regard my having sought information
from them as a highly respectful compli-
ment, and they always received me with
the utmost courtesy and kindness. Hav-
ing thus effected meeting, and in the
first few moments of it established pleas
ant relations, could talk of everything,
and could learn all that l wished to
knew of the opinions. feelings, and
character of the man who was talking to
me. When first reached place l was
often taken for man who wished to
buy land, and some most extraordinary
bargains were offered to me. At times
it was difficult to avoid feeling of obli-
CATION for the munifcent kindness which
afforded to stranger such opportuni-
ties for the rapid acquisition OF wealth.
On other occasions was supposed to be
looking for place as a laborer, or
for land to farm on shares, or to be in
quest of cotton or cattle, and did not
usually at once correct such errors. The
method which l often followed was to
talk as little as possible myself until l
had obtained from Southern men the
fullest expression of their views and
ideas, and then to mention the fact that
had been in the South during the war
as Union soldier; that at that time |
was an enthusiastic young abolitionist,
and entered the army chiefly because
believed the war would destroy slavery.
did this in order to learn whether such
an announcement would produce any
change of feeling or utterance, but | was
never able to observe any diminution of
interest or frankness on the part of my
Southern acquaintances.
Whenever l expressed my desire to
see the South and the people, the an
swer, accompanied by an eager earnest
ness of manner, was, "That's right.
That's just what we want. If the
Northern people would only come down
here and see for themselves, there would
be no more trouble" When 1 would
add that 1 wished to see the negroes
also, and to talk with them about politi-
cal affairs, so as to obtain some real ac-
: quaintance with their feelings and ideas,
the answer was always, "Go everywhere.
Talk with everybody. Talk with the
negroes. Get everything out of them
you can; and then tell the people at
home what you hear" Leading South
ern men and democrats appeared to feel
sincerely desirous that should see the
negroes and the poor white people under
such conditions as would be most favor
able to my purpose of studying directly
and carefully their life and thought.
They often said, "You ought to take us
all as unexpectedly as possible. Better
look at cattle or at cotton, or travel as a
business man, or 60 to house late in
the evening, and ask to be allowed to
stay all night, Then you can set peo-
pie to talking" There was evidently
no reluctance or sensitiveness anywhere
in regard to my conversing with the
negroes. Nobody appeared to have a
thought of the possibility of anything
incendiary or explosive in this direction.
was always urged to see them, aud was
advised to use all possible means to OBJ
tain from them a full and free utterance
of all their ideas, sentiments, and desires.
l did talk much, with them, in all the
principal region in which they are most
numerous, going among them in differ
ent characters at different times; and /
conversed with hundreds of colored men
in the great ''black districts" without
any white man knowing anything about
it, or giving the matter the slightest at
tention.