The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-14

StlnI-haTC. III was quite uS EOOu tS soino
OF the public schools which have Wis
tied in western New York, but the Child
rem were not as neat nor as well clad. IS~-
f,ct, in the intolerable heat Of the tropics
they required nothing but the very slight
est amount of clothing. In the schools L
saw no naked children, but such were con-
tinually going about the streets. went
into a little school in q village, about eight
or nine miles from Port-au-Prince, and it
really was one Of the srangest little acad-
emies that | ever imaglned--a mere tent
matched with leaves or with the fibers OF
some tropical plants, and set upon very
slender poles without any attempt at ar
chitecture, and with no floor but the earth
this was the little temple Of the nurses.
Here the children were under the very
rigid discipline of pedagogue who seemed
TO enjoy his dignity He walked among
them, debating their lessons and ecting
their replies. | was struck with the TACT
that he did not seem TO be showing him
self, but simply devoling himself in good
earnest to his duty. When made some
remark upon his skill in teaching he
answered me, with affecting humility, that
he did not know much, but could teach
these children something. He asked me
TO say what chose to the children, which
~
| them some knowledge of the ten COM
mandmeuts, though it was not coniessedly
a religious school. | was convinced that
he was dong his very best to teach the
| young idea how to Shoot under circum-
stances certainly the most unfavorable 10
development. Now, ! am sorry to add
that the professors Of the Lyceum COM
| planned most bitterly that the clergy OF
the dominant religion were most uniarvor-
able to their plans OF education, while
nevertheless they did little or nothing
themselves to educate the islanders"
"You mentioned that Geflrard had given
you some light upon the matter OF can
nibalism and other facts OF his govern
ment"
eyes, onarriving in Jamaica in January,
1873, | questioned him with reference 10
this cannibalism, of which have given
sufficient details previously. Can 1t be-
| said, Mr. President, that such things
really exist in what might be the really
delightful Island where you lately were
PresidenfP lie answered; 'Alasl / at
tribute my expatrlation chiefly TO the fact
of my earnest, resolute efforts to put down
this horrible relic OF barbmisml' As he
had been accused Of sellishness and Of
looking more TO his own interests than to
those OF the nation | was glad to hear him
assert what appeared TO me his profound
conviction that he would have been Pres-
dent still but for his determination 10 abol-
ish this curse OF the Island. Il shot a
dozen men, said he II am not sure pre-
cisely MS TO the number, but il was consid-
erable), on the public square in Port-au-
| Prlnce-criminals convicted OF cannibal-
ism, and the convictions OF their comrades
in this horrible superstition that was de-
termined TO carry my point, led TO their
instruction against me- The President
expressed himself as convinced that he
could have carried his point had the more
civilized portion Of the Island faithfully
sustained him. But am here said he
only because honestly endeavored TO
root out this abominaton. lie impressed
me rs speaking with sincerity.
al took leave OF NJ. GeiIrard with feel
ing Of deep respect aud have seldom met
person in public life who appeared TO me
TO be more worthy Of the difference that Is
usually paid to a Magistrate"
LOOSE MORALS GENERAL.
as there any other remark you would
care TO add TO ihis?"
"les, one more. The neglect OF the in
siitutiOn OF marriage is one OF the most
fnghtful features OF the social estate OF
many among the inhabitants who are
regarded rs respectable. They have been
taught ~ their parents before have bcel=
10 consider marriage rs u great luxg
but not essential to yrluous living. 4
mother OF family OF girls, living in rcspv-
able but not ailluent circumstances, will
remark. without the slightest idea Of deg
radiation, that 1t Is quite time Tor her old
est daughters TO be places She does not
speak OF marrying them, but this word
places is used Of concubinage which they
regard as crcditablc 80 long Us the woman,
at least, practices fidelity 10 the person
with whom she contracts this wretchcd
liaison."
"Do understand that this is general ?"
81 understood that IL was so general rs
10 be almost universal except among tho
more wealthy classes. This may have
been an eXaggeration, but 1t was explained
by this general idea Of marriage Us a
luxury. II is, they said, very costly TO DO
married, and the first complaint, and tho
most grieyous, was of the enormous fees
that were exacted, ON one preiense or an
other, from both parties before they could
be made man and wife. The rapacity Of
the imported priesthood, bound 90 them
by no ties and designing very soon TO pack
up their effects and give place 10 Others, is
|
state Of society like this, involving can.
nibalism aud all the vices OF q barbarous
people, can be tolerated 70 near our own
borders appears 10 tue an enigma. have
often asked Ought not some sort Of
protcciomte 30 be established over this
suffering island by a union among tho
greater powers II not by our own
pcoplcY Under a suitable government
IL can he little doubted that llayli would
afford mos; eligible point for the yolun-
tary colonization Of many OF our own peo.
pie OF color who would find there near
their native shores an opportunity for tho
accumulation Of wealth aud for the 60
ioymont Of social distinction such ~ they
cannot expect To find here. by becoming
like Bishop Holly bona iidc settlers, and
identifying themselves with the Nation,
who can doubt that they would contribute
greatly to the development Of It's future in
al that goes 10 make a people enlight-
encd, free and truly Christian?"
The Appeals ChRracteristie Enterprise.
From Nc,icfiays scimihr
With characteristic enterprise TnE Ar
rEAL sent a reporter 10 Morillton, Ark, TO
investigate the charges against the citizens
Of that place made by Powell Clayton and
his brother on the assassination OF John