The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-30
Hard on the pnrkY.
Erom the Wnshinoton as.


One day Secretary Schurz brought an
ex-confederate general over TO see President
HAYES. Schurz had fought against him
or been shot by him. or in some way had
been thrown in contact or opposition 10 him
during the war, and had struck up a great
friendship with the southerner. He had
become more or less a convert to the Presi-
dents southern policy of Cancellation, and
Mr.. Schurz was DESTROYS of bolstering the
preside atial arm. The general was intro
duced into the charmed circle Immediately
after cabinet meeting. Several of MIR.
Hayes advisers remained behind and were
presented. After a due amount OF maneu-
vering for position the reconstructed told
his little tale:
ITO explain to you, Mr.. President, what
| am about To relate, said he, 'it is neces-
sary that | should go somewhat into detail.
All southern houses are built with wide
verandas running across the front, and
not infrequently clear around the house
Here we gather and meet our frieods
smoke, drink, tell the news and exchange
views. At my house in Middle Alabama,
only fortnight ago, sat on my veranda
in company with judge, two majors, II
colonel, three prominent lawyers, and the
leading physician of the county. In a
sentence, the brains, blood, and arlstocracy
of the county were assembled OH my
N6Tduuu. w 0dV Is W lpllOW Will clearly
demonstrate to you, Mr.. President, the
great, the enormous change which has
come over the south under the influence of
your beneticent policy.
IAN old colored man came by the house
driving a mule hitched to cart on which
were two bales of cotton. He paused for
minute i'll front of the house to rest his
mule, when one of the party accosted him :"
Where are you going with that cotton,
Uncle JoeP
"'I,se drivin' hit to the station, sah.'
"'Whose cotton is itg
Mine. sab. Nine; an Use got two mo-
bales hum, sab, ready to go. ginned it all
myself, sah.'
"'Why, Uncle joe said the colonel
you must be getting rich. II you have
four bales Of cotton oil your own, you are
a capitalists. think you ought to treatp
"'W'y. sartin, sab, said the negro. If
you gemmen will do me de honah TO drink
with me, be mos happy to stan treat
$50, Mr.. President, the whole party took
their feet down off the railing, went down
the street. entered a saloon, aud drank with
that colored man, and at his expe ise.n
solemn stiffness fell over the group
Mr. Hayes looked somewhat at loss to see
where his policy had been sustained, and
somewhat dubious as to whether he could
approve of anything which involved liquor
drinking. Private Secretary Rogers tried
to boost tho situation a little.
YES said he, sit evidently indicates
that a change has been taking place in the
social status Of the freedmen. While a few
years ago it would have been impossible for
q white man to drink with a colorod man,
and at his expense, now both are possible,
as this gentleman mas evidenced. 1t is very
plain, Mr. President, that your beueflcent
policy has already borne good fruit in
amelioriating the condition Of the negro.
Do you not think 80, Mr.. Evartsp
81 am not certain about that, replied the
premier. ] would like to inquire more
clearly into the case. Do understand you
to say, SIR, that tho old negro ginned his
cotton himself|
80 he stated" replied the southeruer.
"And that on the strength Of his having
four bales Of cotton you AID your friends
drank with himp
eyes, Mr.. Secretary"
''And at his expenseF
eyes, SIR"
"Well, think sir. 1t was simply dam
nable."
The whole party looked as IL they were
drinking hot tea over a dynamite mine.
''Simply damnable, replied tho secretary.
Mr.. Evarts," broke in Gen. Schurz, II
fail to see the justice Of your remarks.
would be pleased TO have an explanation.
What Ia it that Is damnablef'
THAT this old colored man should have
to gin his cotton twice"