The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-10-23

ginning TO realize that the Democratic party is
not their natural enemy, as many of them in the
past have seemed to think. They have pos
twenty years; and 80 far as the body Of them is
concerned, they have invariably used the privi-
lege in opposition to the best interests of the
common wealth. We do not condemn, but
rather pity them for it, tor we know that it was
not from any mate viciousness, but because
they were made the dupes of designing and un-
principled men. When they were emancipated
they were like so many children. Their lives of
bondage had made them dependent, and it was
as natural for them to lean for support upon
stronger nature, it is for a child to
look to its father for protection. They were
not selfreliant people, for the relation
of slave and master for generations had
naturally made them dependent They
were ignorant of everything pertaining
to the duty OF citizenship, for they had known
no law, except their masters will, and no gov
eminent, save that pa1iarchal system under
which theyhad lived on their owners plantations
Liberated by the stroke Of pen clothed in
moment, and without an effort Of their own,
white man had poured out his blood for hum
dreds Of years to obtain, and, in obtaining, had
learned the value of liberty and sefgovern-
ment, they were an easy prey for the horde Of
adventures who followed in the wake Of the
conquering army.
These men resorted 10 every means and de-
vice known to a base and schemng nature to
turn the freedman against his former master
They appealed to his gratitude, making him b.
lieye that it was to them he owed his freedom
They prejudced him against the Southern white
man, and excited the passion Of revenge by
portrayng in exaggerated speeches the horrors
OF slavery. They appealed to his cupidiiy by
promising him the lands of his former master:
and to his ambition, by placing him il
petty Offices. They declared that they were .ae
negro's only friend, and unless they were ke2E
in power the entire race would be relec2'ei =
all the horrors of bondage
By such course Of teaching the aeg-5 = -
lel to look upon the Southern VIM: rla II
ais natural political enemy This p-- .lcs g.
came deep rooted. Bu. notwithst.n.,.-- -: a
promises and amcl5le profession, 3, eli. -:v-
tound ctrpetba- f:ienas, tie n-,-5 s5a- sca7
erel ;hat he had to earn wiz - 7v1 .-r.c-
arm, and b. Inc sweat 0f his gx1 * sr1v
his daily bFeal. Wa t,le D-i7 -: q, --.e.1frl
came it: responsibilities II AL = = 5aez E
Ike plantation wA:cA, IN =. @x13:~l1c. = 10
erty, he hal LETT. Relations o: caot .-c.e =
business affairs were a,..a r-..or-t -.-
him AMI hi, fornev nas:er- Tae Al e-c-
which had been Emp ,r.-..y c-sc1-.., resume.
is sway. When n trouble e 2c@-c-=:
his Southern white f,;-1I II -
or aiv.ce. b, politically Il ". w.a
a few exceptions :a- same TIE .a..=a co-1-
ience could 10. easy - -estare-i. There sol
ike nightmare above hin Il. ever y-4sea; 4p-
pEehen>.on o: -e.,:ra . b7n i4-e,
TIE Democ-a's :. ,-ns.h o5-.ja-i H. State
government rs c..-pe--5ss friends imme:i-
ately began - ,nja OUT. But some remained
The negro saw TIA. political affairs went on
about as usla, H sill enjoyed the rgh, Of
suffrage schools tor MS children were continued.
the courts were SILL open 10 redress his wrongs
and protect his rights. H began to think there
was something wrong il wha. his carpet-bas
friends had told him. b.. those who remained
still persuaded him ;ha; il was because the Re-
publicans continued in control o. the national
government; and ii ;he Democrats ever got pos
session of that all the ills which had been proph-
esied would come 10 pass.
But behold, at the last election the Democrats
elected the President The negro Is
still freeman. All his civil rights are still pre-
served, and his educational advantages have |
been improved. His former trienl>, who swOre |
undying love AMI fidelity departed when there |
were no longer any Offices to De filled. They |
had no calling but offce-holiing, and no other
interest in the country. When that failed they
folded their tents and quietly stole away And |
the coorel man is left 10 solve the problem for |
himself.
Some of them are trying 10 solve 1t by looking
up white men who Will pl.y the same part To-
wards them that the carpe'- 3aggers did-tor !
when did the men on whom the Republicans /
have now pinned their tatA, ever show any in
tcrcst in the negros welfare until there was a |
prospect OF getting office by his vote:
There Others, and not 3
few, who have Al length awakened !
to the fact that they are freemen; that they
not bound to vote as the political boss die
tates that they are as much interested in secur /
ing good government rs the white man that the /
stories OF their Radical leaders about return to
slavery, and deprivation of political and ciy,i
rights are as untounded as the stories told 70
children by their nurses to frighten them TO seeD.
These men have determined to solve the question
by voting with the best white men OF the COM
munlty-the white men to whom they 60 for ad-
vice and aid when in trOuble-men whom they
have learned to reScect and trust in everv o,bar