The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12
THE REV. j. H. M. POLLARD
SENDS GREETING TO THE CoLoREu
PEOPLE OF CHARLESTON, s. O.,
And Advises Them That Everywhere Ed
ucation Controls Ignorance, Wealth
Controls Poverty and Insists That the
Negroes Cannot Expect These Laws
To Be Reversed for Their Benefit.

To the colored People in Charleston in Particular
and South Carolina in General:
l have been earnestly studying our con-
dition for several years, and the ultimate
place which We are to occupy in the
growth and development Of this great Re-
public, and / find that We are race OF
quite eight millions, Insignificant in NUM-
bers and more Insignificant in poverty.
The history OF the world shows that
everywhere among mankind education
controls ignorance and wealth controls
poverty, regardless OF numerical strength,
and we cannot reasonably expect this law
to be reversed in our case. 1t is, there
fore, our duty to put forth every honest
effort to help ourselves in the attainment
OF these two controlling forces, namely,
education and money. l do not mean to
imply that you have done nothing in the
last twenty years. Indeed, some Of YOU
have done nobly, and the race is now in
possession OF upward OF $780, 0O0, 900, but
the masses have made little progress. Di-
vide the money in your possession by tho
whole number OF individuals and you
shall have about sl2 to every individual.
| We must be alive TO the exigencies OF the
hour, or others will take our places and
| push us TO the wall. We have thousands
OF educated young men and women,-asa.
hundreds are leaving the schools and col-
leges every year entering the realities Of
life, but the masses are still in ignorance,
and just here lies the great work 10 b
done-the uplifting OF the masses.
/ al ~ al. II. ~
present deplorable condition by which w0
are environed, and it seems to me that the
| time has come for some one to.discuss tho
proper means and methods OF lettering
our condition. The whites can take care
OF themselves, and hence address myself
TO the people OF my own race and call
upon all teachers, preachers, doctors,
lawyers and influential men among us TO
listen TO my reasons and give them your
Endorsement, II you can. l must be as
brief as Is consistent with the importance
OF the subject. Too many people are
crowdng into the cities and seem 10 pre-
fer the alleys and lanes and cramped
apartments rather than the sweet. balmy
and invigorating atmosphere OF the coun-
| try. Many OF you have nice homes with
all the necessary comforts OF life, and NAV
possibly conclude that you are not affected
by the unfayorable conditions by which
we are environed, but please remember
that what affects one class affects every
class more or less, and all good influences
must descend from above and not ascend
from below. You who are able to enjoy
some Of the luxuries must at all times
think Of your brethren who are deprived
OF even the neccssaries OF life and lend
thcm q helping hand and speak an en-
couraging word whenever you haye the
opportunity TO do so. Many oil you are
living In rented houses, this you ought TO
remedy as soon as possible by purchasing
a place OF your own.
II is absolutely essential that a larger
number should become small farmers in
order TO reach position OF independence.
The money required to purchase a house
and lot In the city Is sufficient 20 pay for
five or ten acres Of land, TO build a small
house for the use OF the family and also TO
stock the farm. In building houses |
advise that they be 80 arranged that thv-
sleeping apartments shall be separated and
the whole family not crowded into one
room. as Is often the case. / advocate
small larms because five acres well culti-
waited would be far more productive and
remunerative than twenty acres carelessly
managed. We need all through the State
not only small farms, but systematic farm
ing. surplus quantity OF land is like
every other surplus, either useless or a
positive hindrance 10 success.
Now for my reasonG
/. Many persons now in the city are out
Of work third or half OF the year and are
forced TO live In a manner destructive 10
morals, honesty and religion. Many
young men seem 10 DO employed as at.
tractiyo sign boards 10 some barroom or
grog shop, and their hands are rarely
soiled by honest labor. They are gentle
men Of leisure and prominent candidates
for high prison positions.
2. Ownership In the land would make a
permanent out OF the present large float
ing population and thus help materially 10
remove the Inducements OF crime, for
ninc.tenths Of the criminals come from
the floating population. Absolute neces-
sity drives many men 10 the commission
OF crime. Again. II we do not locate.
Others will do 10 TO our great disadyan-
tage.
.. Many others who now find Il dilIicult
10 procure daily bread could, In addition
10 the ordinary crop, raise their own meat,
and also fowls. Eggs could DO gotten ID
such numbers, by proper attention, that
the money obtained from that source alone
would be enough 10 supply the household
with tea, coffee and sugar. You could also
have a COW and make your own butter. :
Liquor aud tobacco are two luxures which
poor men, for very many and obvious rca-
sons, cannot afford 10 indulge In.
4. The State. rs well rs individuals,
would be benefited by the acceptance u
these suggestions, aud there would DO
material Improvement manifested every
where, and the people, happy. contenied
and prosperous, paying taxes for the main
tonance Of the public schools and other
public institutions, than as at present Tor
the support Of prisons. Our hundred small
farms Of five or fifty. OF ten acres each,
would bo far more valuable TO the State
than 500 acres owned by one man. Wo
want more citizens who will be conionicd
with making enough 10 supply their needs,
rather than tho accumulation OF great
riches. Tho cities are dependent on tho
country for their supplies.
D. In conclusion let me say few words
10 the friends OF my race. You wish TO
see them elevated. now take hold OF tho
work In practicable way and much good
may como out Of IL Philanthropic rich
men, In addition 10 the establishment Of
schools and the building Of churches,
could use their money, aud with profit
10 themselves, by purchasing large tracts
Of land and selling them OF ia small farms
OF i've or ten acres each 10 heads Of iami-
lilies or responsible young men, with from
five TO ten years 10 pay for the same. This
IN already done 10 some extent by the