The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-07-14
IMPRESSIONS OF TIE SOUTH.
WHAT \ MILWAJNEE MAN THINKS OF
THIS SECTION.

An Intelligent Statement OF the Condition of
tTairs Viewed Through the Spcctnclrs of an
Impartial Correspondent.
(Moble Letter to the Milwaukee Journalist
The long, lanky editor Of Northern
paper, who went to Canada to dodge the
draft, insists that the rebel brigadicrs
are again i'll the saddle, ready for anoth-
er assault OH the Union. He whispers
to those who will listen that the South
crn man still hates his Northern brother
with al the ardor of his sunbrcd nature
AS usual, the organ editor lies. | have
spent six weeks looking for uncon-
structcd citizens, without finding one
On the contrary, the visitor from the
North is impressed with the cordiality
which marks his reception here, and the
spirit of National pride that is manifest
cd: A spectacle not unfrcqucntly be-
held is that of an cX-Confcdcrato soldier,
Sans bullets, stcadying himself with a
crutcll while he praises with generous
gcsticulation this great and glorious ma
antncSS spoken of except when the sub
icct was broachcd by Northcrncr. OF
course there arc Bourbons here who can
not understand that VIC have passed from
the COS to the sos, but the average
Southcrncr would fight for the Union
today.
The story of the business life of the
South is a sad one. 1t may have been
guest at the Rip Van Winklc banquet;
it has certainly slept for twenty years,
and is now Strengthening out its legs
preparatory to going forth to learn what
and whore it is. 1t will find us much
happiness and prosperity us Rip did at
the end of the journey. There is no
limit to its resources; to tho right and
the left one can sec fortunes; but there
IS nobody here to reach out his hand and
take them. One rides through miles of
splendid country that bears no sign Of
life. immigration is the first great
need; no effort has yet been made to
secure new citizens. is it likely people
would go into such a frantic scramble to
settle on Dakota blizzards if they knew
OF the advantages this section of country
offers to men Of small capital and day
laborcrs? But the Northwest will be OK
hauStcd sooner or later, and the tide of
immigration will flow Southwark Then,
and not till then. shall we know the New
South. 1t is not probable this mctamor-
phosis will be completed carly enough to
benefit the present generation.
The belief quito generally entertained
by Northern people, that the negro is
destined to act an important part in the
development of the South, is fallacous.
They do not appear to progress. have
seen colorcd children at school, and it is
hard to realize that human being can
be SO stupid as they are, with rare cx-
ccptions. Whc older negroes have not a
spark of ambition. They live on few
dollars Il year. and are lazy, Shiftlcss and
contcntcd | could learn of but few
colorcd employers. We drove three
miles into the country, in Mississippi, to
see specimen of negro thrift. The fcl-
low had rented ground and planted cot
ton. He picked enough to pay his land
lord and merchant, the latter being the
man from whom lie buys meal and mo-
asscs. About one third of the crop he
did not harvest, leaving it as it grew in
the field; he is sure of food and lodging
for the year, and is satisfied. Like all
the darkcys, he lives i'll small cabin
that has one room, big chimney and
no windows. He spends no money for
clothing; i'll fact dcccntly dressed
negro is not common sight. Where on
earth they get the rags that partly cover
Their bodies is n mystery. 1t is fair to
say | have seen 5000 negroes, and every
one of them wore hat which words can
not describe, and no two OF them were
alike. In foot-gear, particularly among
the curly-headcd dcnizcns of Tennessee
and Mississippi, they display fearful and
wonderful ingenuity. The majority wrap
rags around their feet, and do not re-
move or change them until warm wealth
er is guaranteed.
The relation of the whites and blacks
is misreprescntcd The negroes arc cX-
trcmcly respectful and frequently ailcc-
tomato in their conduct toward the
white people. They have trouble with
the uncducatcd whites, whom they con.
slider beneath them. 1t was from this
class the oversccrs were selected in the
days OF slavery. The stories of bull
doing and shotgun rule are gross cx-
aggcrations. When the carpet -baggcrs
were driven out stormy scenes were wit
messed, but now elections are peacoablc.
The negroes do not exhibit the slightest
interest i'll affairs of State, Thousands
of them do not even know when an cleo
ton will be held, When Democrat
(bcgging the BOurhons' pardon for call
ing Mr.. Cleveland such) became Prcsi-
dent some of them were excited by
pictures drawn by dcmagogucs, but now
they seem to regard the administration
with favor. Alexander, the colorcd man
who delivered Blaine campaign speeches
III Wisconsin last year, died here this
week. He was hard character, accord
ing to tho general verdict, and openly
traflicked on his influence with his pee
pie. If the negroes could be intelligent
ly directed they might do much toward
developing the South, but it is daubtful
if they can do anything for themselves
during The present generation, at least
am not prepared to say they have not
advanced since the war, rs / know little
of their condition when they were in
bondage. In Judging them the reader
must keep IL mind the fact that for gen
erntions they have been oppressed. It
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