The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-19

| " hht Rk'tts UOtN tll''a ratnkt
that up 10 this time no scheme for success
ful relief has beer devised. The trouble is
@ehorn IN the body polite Il pointed with
politics. Will 10 never be remoyedy
CHANGES OF TIME.
former resident of this same country,
upon returning TO IL, would, OF course, de-
tect changes. His obseryant eye would no
tice the disappearance of landmarks, the
Encouragement of fields, the destruction Of
forests, besides other evidences Of times
silent work too numerous TO dwell upon.
Thus it was with myself when, after pro-
longed absence, saw for the first time IN
the slope OF a ncighboring mountain what
at FIRST might he thought an improve
ment. Where but a few years ago stood the
primeval forest, is now a clearing of con-
siderable extent. scanned with fences and
dotted over with spots white and glis-
toning IN the midday sun. Upon inquiry
] was told that the cleared surface before
me was now the village of N T, and
that the land upon which il stands had been
sold entirely 10 cOlored people. and that IL
was still growing community. / do not
think, however, that the financial food now
floating so many towns on 30 fortune, has
quite reached this dark elevation; although
It's population is already at the end Of a
few wears, greater than that Of many an in
above, one might at iirst be beguiled into
the opinion that the destruction of the for
ests, building of whitewashed homes,
and cultyatng Of the soil once given up -
grasshOppers, was sign Of improvement
AUNIQUE NEGRO SETTLEMENT.
Let us see, however, if this be the fact.
The existence Of these settlements Is due to
several causes. The negroes Of the south
are initiating the whites in procuring what
they call homes for themselves. The process
is going on over the entire country. IL is
definite policy suggested either by their
own councillors or by advice from without.
They profess wish 10 be INDEPENDENT OF
the whites, so that they can work
and opportunity TO improve them
selves and their families, and 50 illustrate
their more perfect freedom. In addition TO
this, they claim that III such communities
they are so isolated from the whites that
they can meet, discuss, and decide ques
tiOns with particular reference TO their own
welfare without the CONSCIOUSNESS OF beng
under their eye. The settlement here re-
ferred 10 is complete negro micrOcOsm.
IL has its church, its school, and It's
preacher. who is all-powerlul among his
dusky followers for evil as well as for good.
so complete do they desire their segregation
10 be- that under no conceivable clrcum-
stances would they be willing that a
white man, Chinese, or even an
Indian, should become a citizen OF their
unique community. | need not under
take to suggest reasons for this. Those who
have studied the peculiarities Of the negro
race will understand them.
Whatever may be professions to the con-
trary. the increase of these settlements
must become an intOlerable nuisance. They
are located i'm the midst of farming popu-
latiOn, of whom the inhabitants profess TO
be entirely independent. Without special
reference TO them, the experiment has
already produced bad results in one part OF
the country. The new towns swarm with
oilers. while laborers and house servants
are greatly in demand. No intelligent OBJ
server but must see that the head OF
family of negroes can no more support his
wife and children on patch OF lana
with few cabbages and strip Of mean
corn than can white man. But thcst must
live, and not only these, but the numbers OIL
oilers who assemble at these places 10 talk' |
beat the banjo, and show of their cheap |
tnery The young receive no framing are
under no restraint, except from the Occa- |
sional outbursts Of passion which generally |
characterize the punishment inflicted by |
negro parents. Separate negro commune |
ties thus established in the midst of cOun- |
try owned and controlled by the whites, |
who depend upon the blacks Tor labor, |
amounts to a permanent strike on the part |
of the latter. II is the more serious
because it has been effected 80 quietly |
and nsidiously. A sudden stoppage
of work by operatives in pop
ulous city produces a shock which
in the end brings its remedy. But IN the
other case, the LABOR is slowly and gradual
ly withdrawn from its immediate surround
ngs. sort Of progressive paralysis saps
the resources Of the nelghb0ring country
meantime a majority of the idle negroes
who have ceased to become producers I'VE
by plundering the people for whom they re-
fuse 10 work.
In time these towns may claim munich
pal rights and become Incorporated
powers for mischef-mOral and physical
blight, in the community, very Jamaica
spots and ulcers upon the body polite. Tn
influenced by the whites, in the midst OF
whom they exist. these places would thus
become the haunts of vice in every form and
the retreats of crime in every shape. Inc
negro is per g." an initiative animal.
Left to himselfhe prefers the example Of the
vicious, aud inclines more TO iollies and
weaknesses Of his supcriOTs than 10 their
higher qualities. But | VIII not dwell
longer upon a subject which at this time
NAV not be regarded worthy Of special mo-
tice. ] am by no means pessimist' but
cannot but feel persuaded thdl the Muilc
people Of Virginia Will, at no distant day
feel Obliged to inaugurate measures looking
to the utilization and control Of the labor
upon which their very existence depends.
Ii cannot be that under any political sys-
tenn. those who hold the capital and own the
property Of "A country can continue TO allow
so large proportion OF the laOOring pOpu-
atiOn to spend their lives in criminal idle
ness. as is now permitted in all of the towns
and throughout the counties Of Virginia.
But enough Of an unpleasant subject. !
turn my face from the scene which has sug-
gested the above reflections. 10 look with
delight upon the autumn glorics now gath
ering in every direction about me. The
emotions excited by these are, however, ac-
companicd by the sad reflection that have
but a short time TO enjoy them. love ma
ture aud therefore turn sorrOwfully from
the country and its enlOyments. But espe-
ciaiy do | grieye TO take my leave OF the
everlasting hills" upon whose recedlng
peaks | always look back with tender re-
gret; for
40 me high mountains are feeling