Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-04-11
A SMeepIng Arralgnment.

condition Of the negro race since emancipa- |
ton has been improving morally, socially |
and materially. Some little frailties not
entirely disconnected from hen roosts and |
watermelon patches have been intimately as
ISOLATED with the negro character, but these
lapses from virtues ways have been regarded
more as the creations of class Of humor-
lists who to provoke smile have not scrupled
10 libel race, or II seriously considered
they have been looked upon as an amiable
weakness rather than vicious habit. A
certain absence Of industry, a certain lax
ity in respect to morals have been imputed
TO our colored brethren, but 1t could not be
maintained that the sons of Ham had a
monopoly of these sins. These and other
charges Of like character have lost some
thing Of their force from a conviction that
they spring from negro haters, or that their
authors evinced tendency to hold race
OF emancipsted bondsmen up TO standard
of virtue which is not observed even by
their critics, heirs though they are to the
ameliorating and regenerating influences Of
centuries of freedom and civilization. Re-
ports Of teachers and laborers among the
freedmen, the evidence Of visiting philan-
thropists and churchmen who have observed
the negroes in their schools, their churches
and their cabins have given the north very
distinct impression that the negroes have
been surely though slowly, as was inevitable,
gravitating towards more enlightened
standing among the peoples Of this conti-
nent. For this the benevolent have contrib
uted money and their substance, and philan-
thropic wealth has devoted millions to found
schools and to furnish the means OF moral
elevation. To dispel this illusion, to disap-
point expectations so reasonably cherished,
Miss, with statements and charges so as
founding, supported by proof so accordant,
so general and 30 emphatic as almost to
stampede the reader into an abandonment,
without pretense of consistent resistance, Of
his hitherto unchallenged belief that the me-
groes are forging along toward better es-
tate. In speech before the Episcopal
church congress in Richmond, Va, last Oc-
tober, DIR. Tucker first publicly and form.
ally called attention to what, from his point
of observation, he alleges is the real condi-
ton of the negroes. The African among
us, as viewed by the reverend doctor, in re-
spect to morality and religion is removed
but few stages from his barbarian an
cestors. Lying, stealing and RIGHTEOUSNESS
are ingrained vices, and there is no visible
moral connection between their religion and
their practices. "In the midst of prayer"
he says, I" have known them to steal from
| each other, and on the way home from
prsyer-meeting they will rob any hen-roost
that lies conveniently at hand, and this
without any thought Of sin against God,
and even without any perception Of an in
congruity." To illustrate how thoroughly
deceived are the people of the north In
regard to the real moral status of the ne
groes, DR.. Tucker cites the case of delega-
| ton of northern Christians who went south
few years after the war to inspect the col
ored churches. The delegation was de.
lighted with the zeal, fervor and pious talk
of their dusky brethren and made glowing
report of the glorious things going on among
them. In one Of the churches which was
especially commended, DR.. Tucker says the
very opposite of Christian lives was led by
almost every one of the people. The preacher
himself was living in open adultery. Shortly
after the visiting Christians had left, this
ceremony, the offering of socalled Pas
chal Lamb" in sacrifice in way which
was mingling of barbarous African rites
aud Mosaic names. There was great
meeting, loud and continued praying and
singing which lasted all night long with &C.
companying frances and commissions.
DR.. Tucker addressed letter Of inquiry
to the clergy Of the Episcopal church and to
intelligent laymen throughout the south
asking them to examine the statements made
in his speech at Richmond and give him
their judgment as to the truth or error of his
allegations. The answers brought him IN
welcome confirmation. There might be a
shade Of difference in varying precincts and
here and there might be community tina,
was fairly exemplary and consistent, but
from one state after another, from bishop,
and rectors, from judges, doctors, lawyers
and merchants, the reverend accuser's case
seemed to be proved by strong and steadily
converging testimony. DR.. Tucker there
fore feels justified in the conclusion that the
negroes in this country are retrograding
that there has been great deterioration in
their morals since the restraints Of slavery
were removed. In spite of their high au
thorship and the strength and unanimity Of
the confirmation, there will be general dis
position to suspend judgment till the
strength Of DR.. fuckers surprising arraign
ment can be tested through other channels
Of honest, searching, impartial investigation
Humanity, philanthropy, Christianity itself
cannot suffer this matter TO rest where DIR
Tucker has left it. These agencies Of mercy
and salvation are bound TO know if all theil
combined efforts for the last quarter of {
century have not only not sufficed to i'm
prove the race in reasonable degree o.
!. even to maintain its status quo, but that il
spite of herculean labors and the expen
diture of millions it has actually refrigerated
, if the prospect for the regeneration of thu
negro in America is really SO discouraginl
as to justify DR.. fuckers extreme assertion
that if he understood correctly the DISPOSE
, ton to be made Of recent gift of million
dollars for the benefit of the negro, it nigh
J almost as well have been thrown into the sea
| THE New York Sun says; 1.-THE hanging
. Of Mrs. Meaker, the murderess, was shock
, ing spectacle for those who stood near tn
gallows in the little Vermont town of Wind
. sor. The testimony Of the wretched woman
: son had brought her to the gallows, her huf
band had forsaken her when she was cor
demned to it, and so had her daughter sh
|. had been deserted by everybody yet, jus
b. before being hanged, she wept, kissed tn
b. hand of the sheriff who was to be supervise
9 of her hanging, sent her love to the folks a
b home, and shrilly cried out, 'Good-by
;. good-byi' Up to the last she protested he
A innocence Of the crime which her son ha