The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-02
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1885.
The Negroes of Charleston and their
Evil Work.

We present this week the statcsmanlike mes
sage of his Excellency Governor Hugh >
Thompson. On the opposite page from INC
message we publish the declaration OF certain
colored preachers in Charleston, who seem
DESTROYS Of stirring up strife at a time when
there seems to be such good prospects OF
bringing about q feeling Of entire harmony
and good will between the whites and blacks
We are unable to see the object or meaning OF
the address, unless it is meant to begin thus
early n campaign of hate and generalization
bringing in its train all the evils which "lll
necessarily follow such an event.
The malignant tone, the evil spirit, and the
utter disregard for the correctness of the as
~sertions which these colored men put in thell
address to the negroes Of this country, Is
enough to stir up all that is evil In either the
white mar or the negro. In the first place,
colored man has no more earthly right to as
sumo TO control or lead the public sentiment
of the Negro race than he has TO dictate to
the white race q line OF policy which they
should pursue.
The address, in every essential particular, is
an offence to the intelligence, the honesty and
common manhood of every decent citizen Oh
the State, no matter whether he is a negro or
- white man. If the sentiment uttered by
these colored men, is q reflex of the sentiment
of any considerable number of the respecta-
bic and intelligent negroes Of thisS State, then
the document itself proves, beyond the shad'
CIV of a doubt, the utter and absolute folly OF
the white people. in their efforts to educate
the negro race. 1t has always been the case
that the negro, or the colored man. who has
received most at our hands, has been our
most inveterate and impl2coblc fee. If this
address by the negro prcacher-politicians OF
Charleston means anything, 1t proves his
hatred n ingratitude so clearly that even
the blindest negro worshlppcr and the most
fanatical zealot on the subject OF his educa-
ii IN, may see the utter folly of pursuing n
l.olicy which is impoverishing the white man
and which is at the same time giving the ne.
gro the means Of doing the greatest damage.
The educated negro thinks he has the right to
be supported by the labor of others, and our
foolishnessi in undertaking to educate him at
our own expense gives him the first taste and
the first lesson in communism and in the con-
t~iscation Of our property for his own use and
benefit. These colored men say:
""Slavery had produced moral and intellect
nal enervation.'
The assertion is not true. By slavery and
association with white men the negro before
his emancipation, was elevated a thousand
fold above his status in his own native laud.
There never was a native African brought
to this country who was equal Of the native
born negro. Their cousins who were not
brought to America. but left in Africa, are
to-day little better than the beasts of the
,io1l Tbnv i,.a on frnnino1 fr1itS Sn1koSlnd
lizards. They dc not know what a book is.
They never saw a school house. They do not
know what a church IS. They never heard
the name of Jesus Christ. They are In a state
of barbarism. These Charleston colored men
know that no greater aff1iction could befall
the negro than to compel him to return and
remain in his native land. These maligners
Of the white people also say:
"These schools are supported principally by
Northern 6enerOlence."
Governor Thompson says:
1.-THE total amount of funds available for
school purposes during the year 1854, the
latest periods for which reports are attainn-
bile, was S5l5, 5S0.3S. Il & + Total amount eX-
pended was $:2S, 419. H."
Total number of pupils enrolled In the
public schools during the year just closed was
1908, Of which 7S,i5S were white, and 99,3D
were colored."
The negroes pay but q small per cent. of the
taxes, but they take the lions share Of the
rchool fund tor their children. and yet these
Charleston colored people have no word or
appreciation or gratitude for the action of our
people, in levying upon themselves such a
heavy tax for negro education.
That "the negroes are in an overwhelming
majority in the pcnitentiary' is simply be-
cause there are more thieves among the nc
groes than there gre among the whites. No
man will deny, II a white man steals, that he
will be convicted, If tho proof is made.
The negro gets absolute Justice in our Courts,
though we believe that white men do gener-
ally escape just punishment for offences
against the person-no matter whether the Of
fence is against white or black.
Their threat of revolution had better be
postponed. 1t is foolish.
We are tired OF all talk about bringing for
elgn money here TO loan on mortgages Of our
land. We do not seek to become the slaves OF
Northern capitalists.
The cry about immigration is nauscating.
This Is our country. 1t is ours and our chill
.dren's. Let 1T remain so forever. Those who
voluntarily come among us will receive a
hearty welcome, but Wedo not care TO surren,
der this country to ship loads OF foreigners.
,would sooner have The property Of South
Carolina owned by our own people, and as
tessed ut one hundred and sixty millions,
shan to lave it assessed at a thousand mil.
lions in the hands of foreigners and aliens.
What these men say Of the necessity of cul-
tivStipg race pride is true. The Negro, we be-
;ieve, is the only man on the face of the globe
who is ashamed of his race. Except the ne
gro. the people of every tribe, nationality and
cast are proud of their lineage. But in the
case of the more ignorant negroes many OF
them seem to be insulted at the use of the
word, and seem to think it an approbrious
epithet.
AS q politician, the people Of South
Carolina have had recent experience with
him. The ambition of the man who was set
free "only yesterday in seeking the reigns OF
government to-day, is almost beyond coinprc'
henSion.
The idea that a negro should hold
office merely because he is u negro is prepos'
ferrous. When the Republicans are In power,
Republicans fill the offices. To the "victor
belong the spoils." All the negroes being Re-
pubiicans, it would be remarkable if VIC
should turn out Democrats to put Republi-
cans in their places, especially when their re,
cent record as oflicc-holders is SO fresh in our
memories.
Pardons and Communications.
We thank the Governor for q copy OF his
statement of the Pardons and Communication