The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1884-12-19
LETTER FROM. MACK HENSON.
He Has a Grievance and Talks
His Mind

In every section of our country during
and since the election, have found
enough Tor my pen and head TO do, and
| am no way weary. Sir, am forced to
say something in our home papers to
correct, If possible, an almost unpardon-
able mistake, ] believe Intentionally
made for affect. AS we have been eve
witnesses to underhanded Injustice in
three instances within 10 days. and was
myself twice the victim, can speak
truthfully. On the morning of the 18th
instant, at Austin, we boarded the In
ternational railway train, as stated by
the Austin correspondent TO the San
Antonio Daily Express, and did attempt
to enter a flrst-class coach, but were pre-
vented from doing so by short. chuiiy,
broad-shouldered man of very mean
looking countenance, styling himself
brakeman. No "row" ensued. as was
stated by. the correspondent, and no
ELECTION" and no. threat made as TO a
damage suit" by me or mine, which our
correspondent says: "This seems To be
Nh
violence was attempted on the outside
However, on the inside an unmistakable
token was given me by friend of un-
seen danger. | saw u man standing
Just behind three others, with flendish
glare OF eye, apparently under burden
OF excitement. | learned after the train
was fairly on the way, that this man,
whom had noted, but did not see his
movement, had his hand on his pistol.
and 1t. half out. If could have known
ms little sooner one of the fine look
ing police officers would have had the
supreme pleasure of caring for man
who Is afraid TO leave his door sill with
out loading himself down with deadly
weapons. On the I'd instant, we, in
company with one of the best journalists
that ever passed through our State. this
same conductor and his terrier like
brakeman, prevented us from going into
the first-class coach. Were we disposed
to waste money, the chief of u firm was
lnsulteu, who could have spent, at least.
SOOOO in damage suit, but we are NOT
that wise. On the 9th we encountered
the same conductor and his brag. who
tried 10 stir up II muss, but he was offset
by the true manliness of level headed
negroes. These men seem to think that
the election of Mr.. Cleveland makes
them the eonseryators and guardians of
society. The white people of this coun-
try need no such protection as these
ulsturDers OF the public peace offers. II
lney hre Democrats they are acting the
part OF the dog ON the hay pile; he can
not eat it, neither will he let them.
AS employees they are injuring the com
pany who gives them their bread and
butter each month. The qualification
TO ride on railroad, is a financial one;
each passenger ought to feel the respon-
sibillty upon himself to offer good be-
havlor. If he does not the conductor
ought TO remedy the matter There are
thousands of ladies and gentlemen of
color. who absolutely stay at home.
rather than to be subjected to the in.
dignities and tyranny offered them by
tins ruilian host. We do not urge the
right of negroes on any socialistic
GROUNDS, Dut as protection TO life and
heallh; against this unwarranted system
OF mad cruelty and blasphemy against
outraged humanity. In the ewes of such
unloved and unlovable being, n negro
must be forever damned, because he is
now free man. They must not forget
mat they are driving the negro from n
land and cline that he loves. Texas nor
the south does not contain all the terri
tory where honest labor and good beha-
yior Will pay rich reward. The negro
is better prepared to eXode, at this time.
than at any period since the emancipa-
ton, and all the negroes are not in the
South by few cool thousands. At the
North, and scattered through the West,
they may be found making themselves
known by their good behavior and hon
est labor. Up there among those cruel
Yankees and Northern Democrats he is
treated IA "a nnfarhhA, T.
Here among his protested friends he is
treated cruelty, and denied nearly all
rights and privileges guaranteed to
American citizens. 1t Is no use talking
about 1t being too cold in any section of
our country for him to live and thrive,
for ut the close of the late war there
We're in Canada between 10000 and
3o,OOO negroes, most of whom were
from the very heart of the South 4
lawyer and gentleman of high standing
asked me whether at least One-third of
the voting population of the negroes
wouldn't vote the Democratic ticket
four years hence? My reply was, that
according to newspaper statements,
more than one-half of that population,
~ voters, are now suppressed by the
Democratic party. If that statement
De true, the negro vote as ii relates TO
hiuN Dt tOHelu-
cred very unreliable. You know as an
Intelligent Democrat, that all the oppo-
sition to negro elevation is charged upon
your party, and negroes, as mass, will
never go with your party unless they
have something to go for. Cruelty viii
never drive the negro into line with
Democracy. Persecution never did and
never. can make many disciples. Our
Legislature ought to protect our colored
citizens from railroad cruelty and rob
berry, by forcing them to have on en-
hiDit second rs well as flrst-class tickets
at less rates, for less fare. and that will
certainly regulate travel on the public
thoronghiares." At early eve, at mid
night, and early dawn, on Blended knees,
have implored the Deity and Ruler of
all nations to reveal to me the great
cause why my poor people are thus
singled out from among all others and
trampled upon, and prosecuted. The
answer is II will not be so ALWAYS. The
caucasian race do not now feel TO blame
for having been oppressed by their Nor
man masters. Yours fraternally.
NJ. HENSON.
Artistic
One of the finest establishments that
san Antonio, II not Texas, can boast of