The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1885-01-24
4 Thoughtful and Truthful Article.
IcOrrespondenee Of Baltimore Sun ]

| uc Ndiicu VI W deCcTtdlu tue VIEWS
Of representative men of both
races as to the relations, social,
business, and political, existing at
present between the white and
black people of the South, and
those which are most likely to ex.
ist in the future. Here are gather
ed as commissioners, representing
their States and as exhibitors, men
prominent in business and politics
in every Commonwealth of this
section of the Union. Here reside
the most advanced of the colored
leaders, men thoroughly trained in
LEGAL politics by reason offrequent
intercourse with the federal ad-
ministration and members of Con-
gress at Washington, brought
about by the supervision and in.
reference of the federal govern
ment with the internal affairs OF
Louisiana for so long a series OF
years. Colored representative
men are also here from various
other Southern States.
Whatever complaint is made in
behalf of the colored people re.
lates almost exclusively to politi-
cal grievances, and where it is
otherwise, it is not of serious
character. Commencing with
1866, the reign of the carpet.bag'
ger was not finally broken in all OF
the Southern States until after
the presidential election of 1876,
and vestiges of carpet bag rule
were still in existence some years
later. During this era of corrup'
ton aud spoils the carpet.baggers
as a matter of policy divided, with
some show Of liberality, place and
patronage with their colored allies
With the restoration of native
whites for local self.governmont
carpet.baggers and blacks were
swept out of Office as fast as il
could be done, until now none ol
The former and but few of the lat
ter remain. In three or four 0l
the Southern State Legislatures
there are still to be seen a few
colored members and a nero hand
fnl may be found here and there
filling subordinate elective offices
But, as is well known, every State
government, every municipality oI
the least Importance, every dis
trict, and eveay county where
property interests are at stake |;
held in the firm grip of the whites
The colorcd people think that
their numbers entitle them to Q
greater share in the local govern
ments, and it is this which is tho
burden of their lament. Dreams
of social intercourse on the basis
of equality have long since past
away, and a colored representa-
tive man who at this day suggests
such an idea is as rare as q white
crow. No charge is made that
the colored man is put at any dis
advantages in respect to occupa
ton or labor. White and black
men work side by side in the field
and in the shop, receiving the com
pensation for the same labor. II
is fact, which 1t is impossible ia
truthfully deny, that in this re
spect there exists greater preju
dice in the North than in the South
The black man in the South is not
less protected in his civil rights
than before the civil.rights act was
declared unconstitutional by the
Supreme Court. On no question
but the one of politics does there
seem to be any discord between
the two races. On all matters
but this the colored people trust
and cenfide implicitly in their for
mer masters. Recognizing this
compelled to recognize it, the
whites Of the South have banded
together, as they believe, for theil
own salvation.
The political antagonism be
tween the two races cannot, it i.
thought, diminish, for the genera
tion of colored people now rapidly
approaching maturity know moth
ing of the old slave times except
by tradition, and therefore retair
no shadow of its influence. They
are more Independent and out
spoken in their sentiments, ant
more intense in their political op
position to the classes represent
ing the property and intelligence
1t is useless to attempt to disguise
these facts, and no amount of sen
timental theories can cover then
up or provide a remedy. The
proper and permanent relation Of
the colored race to the body.poli
tic will rise up some day for settle
ment, and 1t is question which
will not down. 1t may not devolvt
upon this generation to settle this
vaet and comnlicatad nrnl,lam hp,