Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-05-17
Mlistellaneuns &eading.
THE CONDITION OF THE FREEDMEN.
Rev. \. G. Wallace, d. D.. in the United Pres
byterian, Pittsburg, Pa.

byterlan, PlttSDurg, Ia.
If we may believe DIR. Tucker, OF jackson,
Mississippi, the condition OF the freedmen
is not only deplOrable, but Well-nigh hope.
less. His charges are against the race, ana
are as terrible as they are sweeping. Some
exceptions there are he admits few have
risen above the level of their race. Some
communities show the good results of educa-
ton and the gospel in a small degree, but
vice is ingrained. Their moral condition Is
worse, he says, than in the days of slavery,
there is as yet "no upward movement in
morals, and if there is any change 1t Is
downward" ~
We may we'll hesitate before accepting
such charges against race whose destiny IS
so closely linked with our own, but the fact
that they are made by one resident in the
South, and are supported by the endorse
ment of many good names, makes us in
uuire into their condition with much selici-
tude. Of course one who was simply a
visitor is not competent to give conclusive
statements or to express final opinion on
a subject requiring an eXtendedpersonala ac-
quaintance, but some impressions received
from the frankly given statements of many
men and women of intelligence and high
social position, natives of the South, or long
residents there, representing almost all the
professions and leading branches ofbusiness,
may be of some interest to the readers OF
the United Presbyterian.
There is with many a feeling of disap-
pointment as to the condition Of the freed
men and of anxiety concerning the future.
Many have not confidence in their capacity
for continued improvement, regarding GER
tain weaknesses and vices as ingralned !;
others are discouraged because the results
thus far attained donot seem commensurate
IL. lnl1
that recently servile race should command,
even in one generation, the full confidence
of their former masters as to their capacity
for self-government. It is easy, also, to for
get that race cannot by decree be lifted up
from servility to manliness and intelligent
independence and virtue. Character is of
slow growth; generations are required to
fix it permanently. Too much has been
looked for. 1t is, comparatively not long
since they were brought from the lowest
barbarism, and twenty years have not pass
ed since they became free men and citizens
A part Of this has been period Of turmoil
and uncertainty. The sudden transition
from slavery to citizenship, with its excite
ment, it's wild hopes, it's exposure to the
tricks the evil influence and falseness of
demagogues, and without preparation for
the new responsibilities is not of itself fa-
vorable to settled and rapid progress. I'm
der such circumstances, with the attendant
alleviations, the development would natu-
rally be somewhat abnormal. 1t has taken
these years to learn the greatness Of the
work to be done and to arrange the forces
to accomplish it.
The freedmen are, apparently, more wide
ly separated from the direct regenerating
moral influence of the whites than formerly,
and their number is so large as to create a
world of their own. Therace feelingis very
strong, and each seeks to be alone in the
schools and churches. The slave enjoyed a
position of familiarity not given to the
freedman, for emancipation raised social
questions as well as political. At the same
time this former familiarity has prevented
the bitterness which has been shown in our
treatment of the Chinese. Everywhere
there was a kindly tone in the views eX-
pressed. The separation has been widened
by political adventures who do not hesitate
to appeal to race prejudice and pride to Sc
cure their own ends. This class of men are
now of native growth, and are just as dam
gerous to the future welfare Of both races as
the much denounced "carpet-baggers. Nor
is it to be wondered at if some teachers,
governed by the best of motives, made Sc
rious mistakes in their first efforts under the
peculiar disadvantages of their new work.
AS result the freedmen are in separate
churches, and so do not feel the direct moral
and spiritual power of the whites, which
they 50 much need.
In their financial condition the freedmen
are making very decided progress. AS a
race they are not self-reliant, and have not
the habits of industry and thrift which pro-
.duce high prosperity; but the number of
those who hold property of their own IS
steadily increasing. These lift others with
them. AS yet the great body Of them live
"from hand to mouth" often consuming
their earnings in advance. Their houses
are poor and comfortless, but on the whole
the statements made indicate a fair degree
of Improvement. Their average life is fair
lv balanced by the improvidence of certain
classes in the North. If these latter formed
as large proportion of the whole popula-
ton as the former do, a very different tinan-
ciaI condition would prevail with us.
The freedmen suffer very much from
their social habits. They cluster together.
Their poor, small houses are unfavOrable to
good living. They are fond of meetings,
and are easily drawn away from their work
by them. Many of their nights also are
spent at public gatherings, religious and po-
litical. One result is the increase OF NOR
taity; consumption, formerly scarcely
known among them, is now very common.
In Charleston, S. c., the death rate of the
colored people is about two and half times
that of the whites. Physicians ascribe this
to their manner of living and their reckless
exposure of themselves.
In education, the Southern States make
the same provision for the freedmen as for
the whites. The school system is yet in its
infancy, and in some places may be poorly
4. s.,sf 111f fhn frnn( T1on
opportunity of rising in intelligence and are
using it. The tax rate is too low to provide
efficient schools, except in the large corpora
tions. In Georgia, the Carolinas, and Ala
bama, the tax is only about two mills on the
dollar, and of course, the school term is
short. Also, as yet the teachers are very
poorly qualified. In many cases they them
selves belong properly to the primary class
es of ordinary schools. All agree as to the
eagerness Of the freedmen to attend school,
and that fair progress is made, at least in
the elementary studies. In every Interview
there was strong desire expressed to see
them better educated. In the cities the inn
provement is very decided, and higher
Standard of life prevails. The illiteracy is,
of course, very great, but it will steadily dl-
minish with aid from the general govern
ment the change may be made very rapidly.
One generation of vigorous work should at
least greatly reduce the present unsightly
figures.
At this stage Of the educational work it
would not be expected that the school train
ing would take hold of practical life, or be
adapted to the preparation Of the pupils for
daily work. The teachers are not prepared
for this, except in the cities. The common
schools can give only the most elementary
secular education. Education and work are
as yet largely separated; labor is less hon
nred instead Ofm0re. Hence there is rest