Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-11-03
A Negro Campaigning.

'-~~N''-6"
It was bright, glowing morning Of
July in southern Virginia, says q writer
in the Southern Birotlac. The misty
air hung in soft haze over wide fields
OF ripening grain that bent it's golden
head to the breeze Green pastures,
ihterspersed with cluinps Of persimmon
trees, stretched far away in on undu-
lating swell, melting imperceptibly into
q dim, distant blue outline. Down in
the low grounds" wagon loads of ripe
melons lay shining in the sandy soil,
buried in their cool, green leaves, while
higher up tobacco plants stretched their
broad leaves in the morning light.
Occasionally negro driving o mule to
pillow could be seen through the long
rows OF green corn, where yellow
pumpkins lay like huge balls Of gold
An air of peace and tranquility seemed
to hover over the scene. No harvester's
song broke the still morning air. In
front of the negro cabins were scattered
groups OF bareheaded and barefooted
children. The youngest ones, basking
in the sun, rolling in the dirt, sitting
propped up in boxes, or playing with
stick-dolls, seemed 4 picture of con-
tentment, while the larger children,
with comical look of dignity on their
shining brown faces, were surveying
their new dresses with evident satisfac-
ton. Presently the scene grew more
animated, and the dusty high road be-
came lively boulevard, filled with
every species of vehicle, groups of men
and women, struggling children, and
pacing horses.
Large farm wagons, antiguated jer-
seys, dilapidated buggies, weighted
down with men, women, and children
IN holiday attire, wound their way down
the highway, throwing up clouds of
dust in the faces Of the less fortunate
"foot-passengers." From every wood
and by-way, from over the hills and
through the forest lanes, came the
motley crowd, all Fastening toward a
large hill that, covered with thick
growth of oaks, stood out in bold relief
against the blue-sky background. On
one side large clearing had been
made by cutting down the trees, whose
stumps still decorated the ground. A
temporary church was erected by
means of boughs of pine laid across
long poles placed horizontally on up
right supports. TO the right were large
tables spread with fruits, bread, and
fried chicken, over which tutelary
deity, in the shape of fat negro wo-
man, presided on the left were pick
eted the horses of the incomers A
surging crowd of negroes, laughing
and chatting, soon filed the clearing,
and the women, tanning themselves
affectedly, smiled complacently when
their dark-skinned admirers addressed
them as Miss" Presently hush fell
on the assembled multitude, as tall
negro preacher, dressed in q suit OF
brown trousers, with an old blue army
coat. assembled the platform that an
swered the purpose Of pulpit.
After short exhortation the shouting
begins, for a negro would scorn Chris
tian who did not shout his hat off his
head. The ceremony of shouting is
terrifying to spectator. A sort OF
fury seems to seize the negroes, espe-
cially the women, who scream at the
top of their voices, throw their arms
wildly about, jump up and down for
hours, and seem entirely out Of their
minds.
"The men don't have no time ter git
'ligion," an old man once told me, "fur
it takes dem ter hold the omen folks,
ter keep 'em from a-killin' theyselves;'
and this is true, for in an hour or SO
numbers fall in faint and are appar-
emily lifeless. In this state they remain
for hours, and on awaking relate their
wonderful adventures, known as their
Experiences"
The preacher, noticing that the straw,
which had been spread on the ground
to deaden the fall of any one who
tainted, was wanting beneath the front
benches, exclaimed: "Brudders an
sisters, dar's fifty souls lost here tu-
night fur want er straw, and which was
probably true, as the occupants of those
benches remained comparatively quiet.
When the violent ebullition of feeling
had somewhat subsidized short sermon
on the judgment was given.