The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-03

Anu HOW COMICS the CnlTu GLASS;.
These-and there are a very large
number of them-are the drones they
are naturally idle, lazy, shiftless and
worthless. They are untidy, moping,
and careless and ragged, destitute of
all pride of appearance-unless it be
the pride of beggarly indulgence. Work
they will not. How they live, 1 can't
tell; but they stay around in the poor
est places-shanties and holes in and
around the city-ignorant, stupid and
besotted some of them wonderfully
troubled with kleptomania and cramp
in the fingers. 1 am sorry to say that
the seventh commandment is not held
in very much respect and its violation
seems to be the besetting sin, as was
told by an excellent physician, and also
by some of the most respectable of the
colored people. Let me here say some
thing on the subject of the colored man
as mechanic and laborer, more than l
have said. Give the laborer his task in
the field, and that task he will do
quickly and well but it must be rout-
inc work-something he has done
great many times, and now does from
the skill of habit. Aside from this he
seems, with few exceptions, to be utter
ly incapable of going ahead and plan
ming and conducting for himself. In
domestic duties, however, | hear that
though good cooks, etc., yet they must
be told over and over to do many things
and seem to have no memory.
Of one other thing must now speak
with care, as it is told me by those who
know the merchants and traders: A
great part perhaps very great part
of the colored people of the somewhat
lower classes have very faint concep-
lions of integrity. 1t is told me that
they excel in discrimination and in be-
ing tricky to very great degree. They
willfully misrepresent and use many
ways to get bargains and to avoid pay
ment. Too many of them cannot be
trusted. In one notable instance,
know of colored teacher in one of the
schools of the city who misappropriated
moneys entrusted to his care. But
these remarks apply to not all the col
ored people, trust, to the extent that
it is said.
The mechanical work is about all
done by the colored people. They are
capable, some of them, of modelling and
building with great skill, as am told,
even in the most intricate tenements
and dwellings. In one remarkable in
stance a colored man does this who can
neither read nor write
OF the churches and the religion Of
these people, 1 had better not say much,
for, for the soul of me, not much can
be said. The most of it is pure old
John Knox Calvinism in very gross
form. To me, of course, it is few re-
moves from very gross superstition,
ana therefore, leSC should give OHenSe
Internationally, may as well say no
more, only to say that 1.-THE roaring
flame, the rafting chain, and all the
dreadful eloquence of ipain,' are no
small share of the prescriptions for sal
walton. But more on this some ither
day."
The colored race has offered, and is
still offering, some very noble specimens
of genius and talent. What time may
do for them as whole, may be-as
hope-something very wonderful; but
l do not think nature ever intended
them, nor endowed them, to be the CO.
equals of the Caucasians, or the white
races of Europe and Asia.
BEAUFORT, s. c., June 1, 1886.