Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-11
ALARMED FOR THEIR FREEDOM

Ridiculous Fears Of Slavery Fostered
Among the COIOred People by COlored
Preachers and Leaders-SOme Anus
Ing Experiences.
The widespread belief among many Of
the cOlOred people of Savannah that they
will go into slavery again should Gov.
Cleveland become President has many
ridiculous aspects. During the past few
days a large percentage of the colOred
population has felt almost certain that
they would lose their freedom, and that a
majority of them, even now, despite re-
peated assurances which have been made,
have an unpleasant feeling regarding the
outcome of the Democrats securing con-
troll of the government, which, while
grOuudless. is we'll defined.
Two cOlored men up town were engaged
Yesterday in vigorous discussion of the
outlook. One was inclined to scout the
idea. and declared that it was all folly
and that his race would do as well under
Democratic as under Republican rule.
The other and the younger OF the two was
very dubious. A cOlOred preacher had
told him that Mr.. Cleveland would make
a slave of him and he wouldn't believe
anything else.
"Dars jess one thing I'd like to know"
Salu Lut olutI dSSuullu5 du ar
gumentative attitude.
''What's dat?' interrupted the other;
s'dat Mr.. Blaine is elected?'
ssNO. cause il dOan't make no difference
to me. De ting I'd like to know is what
right one man has to own anuder."
''NO right at all; they'd jest take you
and dat would settle it."
This is about the only argument ad-
yauced. and il shows how unreasonable
eg,o foor - nnnOarars danlorn fbfG
state of affairs and are doing everything
to disabuse the minds of the apprehensive
blacks. The white-sprOned cOlored
waiter who attends to the wants of re-
porter of the MORNING News was asked
If he had any fear of slavery days return
ing again. He is a rather intelligent
young fellow, but he answered at once
that he was afraid they would.
ssWhat are you going to do!" he was
asked.
q dunno, boss, but 1 guess if Mr.. CleVe-
land takes his seat Tll have to go North"
He was finally convinced that there was
no danger. and went about his work in a
much happier frame Of mind. In this dis
trict number of cOlored men had prom
ised to vote for Hon. I. NJ. Norwood for
Congress. They were told by some
one that if they did they would be
made slaves again, and, to use home
" phrase, s'every one of them took to the
woods" and voted for the Republican can
didate.
A Savannah lady met an old colored
woman whom she had known since she
was a child, in Market on Saturday. The
old woman was dOwncast in spirit and al
most in tears.
"Wen, Missus," she said, "Ise got to
go back into slavery agin, they tell me-"
'Oh, no, aunty, there's no danger Of
that. Why your old master is dead long
ago."
II know dat, but they tell me that it is
a fact. an il must be So" and the old
woman walked slowly away and refused
10 be comfOrted.
At the Pulaski House the walters and
colored help were alarmed considerably,
until they we're told better, and for day
or two almost a panic prevailed amongst
them. At the Screven House there have
been some rather amusing oc-
currences One of the cOlored
laundresses came from New York re-
Gently. A day or two ago she went to the
wife Of the proprietor in tears. she sald
she had heard that all the cOlOred people
were to be made slaves again, and that her
mistress had already bought three Tomen.
She said she liked the place, and didn't
want to be put out, and pleaded TO be
bought too. A colOred man who acts as
yardsman at the same hotel, said he had
heard that they were all 10 go into slavery
at once. He wanted the proprietor to
buv him, and would like him to get him
cheap. "'Deed boss" he declared, t'l'd
sooner have you git me fur $50, than any
one else to GIT me for a thousand"
But one Of the most unique ideas was
that expressed by a young hOusemaid up
town. She does not appear 10 agree with
the generality of her color that the black
folks will again be made slaves. She says
she hears that the white folks can whip
the negroes as much as they please, and
give them whatever wages they like, and
the black folks cannot better themselves,
but there is to be no slavery.
These and hundreds of other like eXpe-
riences only indicate how widespread
the belief is that the days of servitude are
10 come again. 1t is to be regretted that
this feeling has gained ground among the
more ignorant of the cOlOred classes, and
the disposition on the part of the colOred
preachers and politicians to foster it is TO
be deplOred. The sentiment, however, is
rapidly changing in Savannah, and it is
probable that in few days even the most
thoroughly alarmed will be assured Of
their protection and rights.