davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
WORDS OF WISDOM.
The Common-Sense Views of a Negro Wht
Understands the Race Problem.

The Common-Sense Views of a Negro Who
Understands the Race Problem.
A letter written by John T. Shufton,
of Orlando, Fla, which has been extern
sively published, has attracted attention
by it's extremely temperate treatment
of the race question in the South. The
writer is colored man who has OBJ
tanned collegiate education by his own
efforts, and who is much respected for
his merit and good sense. He thinks
that the negro is subjected to no disad-
vantages in the South that any other
people would not be subjected to who
keep themselves poor and dependent
upon a more progressive and thrifty
race. Even their disadvantages, he
says, are more imaginary than real.
Every avenue of employment is open to
them, and they have the same chance to
become prosperous and happy through
industry and economy that their white
neighbors have.
Equally to the purpose is what Mr..
Shufton has to say of the conduct of
fanatical leaders, pretended preachers
and politicians of the North who are
trying to bring on war Of races in the
South. He regards them as the worst
enemies of the Southern negro, and
begs them to desist from their ''diabolic-
al attempt to invite defenseless people
to attempt their own destruction"
After speaking of the efforts of mis-
guided members of his race to force
themselves into positions of social
equality, which it is hopeless for them
| to seek, he sums up his views of what is
best for the negro in these words:
"Let the colored man turn from all Of his
| imaginary social happiness Of mingling with
another race of people, who show in every con-
| ceiyable way that they do not wish his COM
| pany, and get to work in earnest in acquiring
the more permanent and substantial things OF
| life, and the great problem is at once solved.
| The colored people want new teachers down
here-teachers and leaders who will point out
| and instruct them in the way Of peace, prosper
| ity and happiness; teachers who will disabuse
| their minds Of this political vanity, farce and
humbug that are fast leading them blindfolded
into an indolent shiftlessness the result Of
| which is now being manifested by every Grim
| inal courts record"
There can be no question that the
Southern negroes would be vastly bet
ter off if they would follow the leader.
ship of such men as the writer of this
letter. He apprehends clearly enough
the only effectual means of elevating
his race to a sure position of respect
ability and usefulness His advice is
less flattering than that of self-seekine
demagogues, but it is far more salutary
Louisville Courier-J Journal.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, WEDNESDAY,. JANUARY p, 1890

eyes, rather odd," admitted Mr.. Shell
by. 'But 1 noticed when she was a
little bit of a slip of a thing that she
never asked no questions the way her
mother does Perhaps you noticed Mis-
Shelby's way. She's powerful good
woman, my wife is, but she can't never
seem to stop asking questions, and my
girls just the other way.
''We named her Maria when she was
baby, but when she was about three
years old man come through these
parts, peddling reaping-machines. He
staid TO my place over night, and he
told me that he heard say that in the
early original Egypt, back there in the
old country, there was race of women
what never asked no questions.
Snow them women is called sphinxies,
and says to my wife right off we'd
name our little girl that. If she'll
grow up to be one of them kind of wom-
en-, says /, that's the best kind of luck
l can wish to her husband when she
grows up
'My wife says Oh! there's your
train, Mr.. Sewall. Got your check all
right for that balloon? good! Now do
come and see us sometime, and drop
down on us whenever you feel like it,
Goodbye"
Mr.. Sewall wrung Mr.. Shelby's hand
gratefully, then hurried into his car.
From the window he saw the tall figure
in blue jeans, the kindly, smiling face,
the gesture of affectionate farewell.
About fortnight later, the young
aronaut, whose regular occupation in
life was in large Cincinnati banking
house, where he held a responsible posi-
| ton, received a letter, which he put
away, after reading, with two gold pieces
in a faded silk purse. 1t was written on
blue-ruled paper with pale ink and
signs of a spluttering pen, but it seemed
to please Mr.. Sewall very much as be
read it. This was the letter:
DEAR SIR-Your letter came duly to hand,
| also the box with the music instrument by
frate, which took home and unloaded, and
set it up in the parlor before my wife and
| Sphinxy see me.
| And then in comes Sphinxy and sets down
1
and played piece she learned Of hel
school teacher, who has got meiodeum
and she says, as she played her piece: Paw
says she, this is an organ with thirteen stops
and never sposed I'd ever have melodeun
like teacher, says she. And as to where i
came from or any thing about it she never
| asked no questions
So no more at present from yours respect
fully, JOSEPH SHELBY.
P.S.-My wife presents her compliments
and says tell you we are all very mucf
obliged, and so we are. Sphnxy went tt
town and bought a piece of sheet music will
song about balloon man on it, and sh'
sings it every night when she plays on thu
instrument.
The purse and it's contents found theil
way back to Sphinxy the next summer
but Mr.. Sewall keeps the letter.-Min
ma G. Smith, in Youths Companion.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
POLITICAL COMMENTS.

Tho unanimity with which the
Republican leaders do not admire Ben
jamin Harrison has become conspicu-
ously observable since Congress con-
vened. Kansas City Times. ,gzs
The complaint that Vice President
Morton's liquor is not first-class COMES
from United States Senator. Mr.. Nor
ton will speedily cali the gentleman to
order.-Louisville Courier-Journal.
Mr.. Cleveland is a strong, fbrous
man, physically, mentally and morally,
and his countrymen know that he is.
Their regard for him is quite as credit
able to them as it is honorable to him.
Philadelphia Telegraph (Rep.1.
In spite of the Northern section
alists of the Clarkson stripe, the South
is on the spot, 50 to speak. 1t is part
of the common country, and in the mat
ter of progress and development it is
cutting out work that the most favored
sections will find it impossible to equal.
Atlanta Constitution.
Mr.. Robert P. Porter describes
himself as waist deep in Congress-
men," who are soliciting places in the
Census Bureau for their constituents
As he was instrumental in having the
appointments taken from the Civil Serv-
ice rules he can only blame himself fo1
the annoyance.-Providence Journal.
There is no law which compels
Democrats to submit to Republican
stealing. This may be news to great
many people, but it is the truth, never
theless. The Montana trouble would
be no trouble at all if the Republicans
would recognize the truly Democratic
principle that elections elect.-Chicago
Herald.
-rMr. Harrison's District Attorney
in indianapolis says: 81. shall not, by
my aid, permit Colonel Dudley to be
worried" OF course not. Mr.. Harrison
can not afford to worry Dudley or to al.
low the evidence back Of the blocks-of.
five letter to get into court. 1t would
not be in accordance with his Judicial
policy."-St. Louis Republic.
1t is stated that Senator Sherman
is at the head Of the movement to have
Governor Foraker appointed Minister tx
Russia. The public can we'll understand
that Sherman would like to have Fora
ker sent out OF the country. He doesn'
want Foraker to make any more speeche!
in his favor at Republican National con
yentions. Savannah News.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
Longevity in Norway.

The Norwegians, it seems, are the
longest-lived people under the sun. So
we learn from an elaborate s'Livs og
Dodstabeller for def Norske Folk" just
published by the Norwegian Official
Statistical, Bureau, or tables of life and
death among the Norwegian people.
The average duration of life in Norway
is 4s. SO for the men, $3.50 for the women
and 49.77 for both sexes. The director
of the bureau also shows, by COMPARE
son with earlier decades, that the aver
age longevity of the Norwegian folk has
considerably increased. IF the NOR
tality in Norway" he writes, ''is seven
teen per cent. more favorable than in
Central and Western Europe, 1t is greatly
due to the comparatively slight NOR.
tality among our younger children" To
what particular causes this compare.
lively slight mortality among children
is due we are not told, but probably
anxious parents in warmer climates may
take hint from it and make inquiries.
Pail Mall Gazette.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
PlTH AND POINT.


The innocence of the intention
abates nothing of the mischief OF the
example.-The Southern Star.
Not to enjoy life, but to employ life,
ought to be our aim and inspiration
Macduff. sa,e
Many man makes 3 good reputa'
ton on what is not found out about him.
San Francisco Bulletin.
How much more agreeable the man
who wants to sell than the man who
wants to buy!-Atchison Globe.
Human nature is so constituted that
all see and Judge better in the affairs OF
other men than in their own.
Happy the bride who does not hear
all the comments and criticisms OF her
dear friends who make up the audience
at the wedding. ~
Remember, if you let your chickens
! feed from your neighbors flower bed,
his pig will probably get fat i n your .po-
tato patch. Siftings. -
Every man ought to be as good as
his word. Nothing is expected of those
body.-N. 0. Picayune.
Wit is one thing and wisdom is an.
other; when they unite Franklin Is
formed. In such instances wit makes
wisdom pleasing, and wisdom makes wit
I. profitable Leland.
You find yourself refreshed by the
presence of cheerful people; why not
make earnest effort to confer that pleas
ure on others? You will find half the
battle is gained it you never allow
yourself to say any thing gloomy.
Much learning and little sense make
very bad mixture. The man who is
thus fitted out is like an engine carry.
4 ing high head of steam with no one to
manage the lever, or with the lever
1 gone. There is nothing before him but
disaster.-United Presbyterian.
! If one can not seriously and soberly
think of his own life, and Of the issues
thereof both here and hereafter, with
out being miserable, he may set it down
as certainty that there is some radi-
cal fault in that life. Sad, indeed, IL
the condition of that man who can be
happy no longer than he can be thought
less, If he were right himself, then to
think of himself would be source Of
pleasure rather than Of pain. Rural
New Yorker.
1T is not the chipping of Of the dia-
mond's surface that polishes the dia-
mond, but it is by the wise use Of the
diamond dust or clippings, in the hands
of skilled lapidary, that the diamond 8
: polish is finally secured. 1t is net the
making of mistakes that makes man,
but it is the wise use OF mistakes that
enables man to be made-to become q
polished man in his best sphere. When
ever we see the light and glow Of . beau
tiful character, we may know that its H.
Illuminating power came through its slow
polishing by its own diamond dust, at
the hands OF the Great Lapidary.-H.
Clay Trumbull.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
The Tariff Going up.

There are many indications that the
committee on ways and means Of the
preSent Congress, wnich committee is
headed By ,ar. Mckinley, nil report q
tarau bill increasing the customs aaties
on many important articles and giving
no relief to those manufacturers wht
have appealed to it for the free importa.
tsn,s2. Of raw materials. Such bill wculd
suit the, friends Of Hon. Grover Glove.
land exactly. If made law it would GO
long way toward re-electing that able
Democrat to, the White House three
years hence, Chicago News and.l,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
Tho Man Who Marries Money.

The man who seeks wife for the pur-
pose of securing the means OF living
without working does not merit the re-
spect of the meanest person on earth
His intentions are so manifest that they
deceive no one. He plans his attack
with the ingenuity of General. His is
an aggressive courtship, and hypocrit-
ical one as we'll. He can not afford to
let the flame flicker for moment. he
must act the role of deception contin-
ually. If there should ever come the
moment when a feeling of self-inde-
pendence and self-respect enters the
young woman's mind, his hopes in that
tant may be shattered beyond re-
N. There is the necessity OF
mt caution and a constant re-
soericv Detroit Free Press
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
EXPLORER STANLEY.
His Latest Achievement Even Grander
: Than His First Successes.

His Latest Achievement Even Grander
Than His First Successes.
In the history of exploration and adj
venture few things are more memorable
than the dispatch lately received from
Stanley, announcing that he and Emin
Pasha are we'll advanced upon their
journey to the east coast of Africa. 1t
is almost quarter of a century since,
to the amazement and admiration of the
world, man previously unknown I'M
dertook to find Livingstone, and found
him. Of the career thus begun it was a
fitting crown that Stanley should deter
mine to rescue Emin, and should tri-
umphantly fulfill his purpose.
We had learned from former dis
patches that when Stanley, after accom-
plishing the long and difficult ascent of
the Congo and one of it's main at1iuents,
first encountered Emin Pasha, the lat
ter was unwilling to forSake the equa-
torial province which his self-devotion
had carved out of the heart of Africa.
Although cut off from Europe by
the capture of Khartoum, Emin Pasha
continued faithfully to humanize and
civilize the people committed to his
care, and he had up to that time sue
ceeded in protecting them from Mahdist
aggression. Should he abandon them,
he knew that they would speedily re-
| lapse into sayagery and be anew sub
jected to slave-hunting devastation. He
would stay at his post, therefore-so he
told Stanley-as long as there was work
for him to do.
1t is fortunate that Stanley did not
take the man, whom he had come to
rescue, at his word. Had he done so,
and returned to Europe by way of the
Congo, we now know that Emin must
have shared the fate of Gordon. He re-
traced his steps, however, only as far as
the place where he had left large de.
posit of arms and ammunition with his
rear guard. Once possessed of these re-
sources, Stanley FASTENED back to the
last surviving representative of the
Khedive's authority in Central Africa,
but found that in his absence Emin had
been made a prisoner by some OF
his own men, and that the ferocious
Mahdists were advancing up the Nile.
| From the meager news thus far forth
coming, we know not what measures
were taken for the liberation and es-
cape of the heroic Governor. But the
measures must have been effectual; Mr..
Herbert Ward, who was for several
years Stanley's companion. in Africa,
has no doubt of the correctness of the
information.
Both rescuer and rescued deserve the
homage of the world. The high aim Of
Emin's self-consecrating labors and the
brilliant gallantry of SANKEY'S achieve
ment will shine forth on the dark back
ground to which, it is too probable, the
heart of Africa is now condemned fol
n,.np vaars-N Y. Ledger.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
SOUTHERN RACE WARS.
Nature Itself Has Set Up Barrier Be-
tween Whites and Blacks. -

There is probably nothing worse
about the little unpleasantness reported
from two or three counties in Georgia
than a more or less natural outcome of
the holiday customs which have long
prevailed among the Southern negroes.
Even in the old slavery days almost the
entire black population was allowed
some days of absolute idleness at the
Christmas season. With emancipation
better facilities for getting whisky
have come, and drink breeds quarrel
someness and stimulates murderous in
clinations, as "a matter of course, in
race so excitable. Under such con-
ditions the riot at Jesup was easily
raised. A drunken negro was sent to
the lookup; mob of drunken negroes
attempted to release him; half a dozen
officers and citizens were killed or fatal
ly wounded; the blacks of the surround
ing region, half or wholly drunk, were
wrought to frenzy, and the white peo-
pie were forced to arm in self-defense.
Disturbances in other parts of the State
were doubtless provoked in the same
way.
These things are deplorable, certain
ly, but are they not inevitable when two
distinct races are occupying the same
region, entitled to equal rights, and
forced by uncomfortable circumstances
into constant contact that must excite
almost constant hostility? If the blacks
were insignificant in numbers their ul-
innate absorption by an unnatural and
repulsive bleaching process" into the
mass of the population might possibly
be expected. but they breed too rapidly
for that. The theory OF the law makes
the two races equal, and prescribes that
they shall live together peacefully and
without friction. The facts Of nature
indicate that the laws prescription is
nonsensical.
In order to avoid present collisions
and future calamities beyond calcula
ton the policy of restoring the colored
race to its old home in Africa ought te
be favored by intelligent men of bott
races. The colored leaders who think
that the spread of their people through
she North and West might solve the
problem are short-sighted. The Nortl
and West are in no need of and car no
be expected to welcome such immi
grants in large numbers. There is hard
lv colored colony of score or two fam
lilies in any part of either section, il
town or community, that is not consid
cred more or less of nuisance. Few
any such colonies can be found the ex
istence of which has not the effect o
greatly depreciating the value of prop
erty in their vicinity. Nature has Sc
up a barrier between the two race!
which is apparently impossible. Their
is a whole continent waiting the infusion
of such civilization as our colored people
could give. They might work out
grand destiny in that cradle of thei
race. No such destiny is or ever can b
open before them here.-Chicago Globe
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
GROWTH OF BABIES.
Common-Senso Homo Talk to Mothers
and Fathers. .-

and Fathers. ,.t-., 4
The maternal physique has some sub
tie, indefinable influenza over young
children, health. giving power not at.
present we'll understood. The new baby
is still in a sense part of its mother,
though a separate unit. Its well-being
requires close contact with her during
the greater part of the twenty-four
hours. A bed by itself is an injustice to
helpless infants. 1t is paterfamilias
who should seek another resting place,
not the new life that is yet SO frail and
insecure. Only those who have tried this
natural method can thoroughly appre-
ciate its advantages and realize how
admirably it insures the happiness
of three persons. Tho child can be
cared for during the night without ex-
posture or any sudden chill. AL
ways warmed and protected by loving
presence, the little one sleeps long and
well. After the weaving period the
baby has its own bed as a matter OF
course. Until then an undisputed half
of the maternal couch is a necessity to
4 the embryonic citizen, if he is to grow
into that relative perfection of health
and strength which nature has intended
for him. The human mother is the only
animal that puts away its young at
night, probably because the right kind
of reason has not taken the place of
half eradicated instinct. The engath-
ers her brood under her wing; the
mother bear forms herself into a sort Of
animate woody nest about her cubs, just
as the cats body embraces her kittens.
Our cousins of the lower orders may not
be such bad examples to follow after all.
At any rate why not give those ''won-
derful weans" the benefit of the doubt?
The slaughter of the innocents goes
on in different ways. Emotional prodi-
gality is most efficient means OF re-
moving the joys of the household
"Died of too mucf: grandfather, grand
mother, uncle and aunt" would be a
fitting epitaph for many bright child
Emotion is the most exhausting OF the
mental attributes. What children do
and how much, is Of far less Importance
than the way in which they do it. The
evils of premature mental activity are
without doubt very great; but to prema
turely and unduly excite emotiona.
manifestations is tenfold moro hurtfu1
In this regard there seems to be the
densest ignorance, the fact that young
children's only business in life is to de
velop slowly-to eat, sleep, and play il
childlike fashions too often forgotten
in the home circle. On the contrary
they are often supposed to attend tt
their own work of growing and devel
oping, and afford fun for the family a
the same time. Our tender little one
are made the playthings of the house
hold-hugged, kissed, talked to ant
made to talk for the pleasure and graft
fication Of the parents and friends
Their callow brains are overworked b,
exciting and intense emotion. Wha
wonder they have big heads, little bod
, les, and hardly any digestion. -Phreno
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
YVES, LITTLE DEAR"

Bess went to church one sultry day,
She kept awake, Pm glad to say,
Till ',fourthly" started on its way.
The moments into hours grew;
OdeaF! o dear! what should she dor
Unseel n' she glided from the pew.
AnduA the aisle demurely went, 80,
On scnSe absorbing mission bent, s.a
HereySs filled with a look intent.
She stGSped and said in plaintive tone,
Wftahand uplifted toward the dome:
"Please, preacher man, can go home?
The treble voice, bell like in sound,
Disturbed a sermon most profound;
A litter swelled as it went round.
A smile the pastors face o'erspread-
He paused and bent his stately head:
ayes, little dear" he gently said.
I'd Christian Advocate
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
Ex-speakers Of tho House.

Although there are only two ex-Pres.
,dents nving-Hayes and Cleveland
and but one Notwithstanding
there are seven ex-Speakers. These
are Robert G. Winthrop, N. P. Banks
Galusha A. Grow, James G. Blaine,
Samuel J. Randall, J. Warren Keifei
and Jonn G. Carlisle. Winthrop reached
the speakership forty-two years ago,
during th Q presidency Of James K. Polk,
and Bank 5, who stands next on the list
in remote ness OF date OF choice, attained
the post vt.ea-Pierce was in the White
/ House. While fate has played cruel
pranks " tn the presidential aspirs-
tsous Of ex-speakers, the old scythe'
bearer certainly Islands in" with them
-st Louis Globssp emocyat
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22
Interesting Legal Decision.

A woman agreed with her grandson
that she would give him $500 if he would
not take another chew Of tobacco or
smoke another cigar from that time till
her death; and on his part he agreed to
give her double that amountif he vi Olaf
ed the agreement. Seven years after
she died, but he had not been paid, and
though he had kept the agreement she
had paid him nothing, nor had she pro-
vided for paying him. He sued her ex-
ecutor for the amount, but was defeated
on the ground that the condition was
not such as to make the contract bind
ing. The Kentucky Court Of Appeals
has recently decided that the grandson
fulfilled plain and valid contract, and
is entitled to the money.-Talbot VS..
CLAY.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-22

"A young lady OF Carlisle, Pa, re-
ceived bill amounting to over one
hundreu dollars that tells little his
tory. The bill came from a Tilted man,
and in it she is charged with twenty
two yards of silk dress gods, two gold
bracelets worth forty dollars dia.
mond ring, hat and sew, ser
items. The above named arts -.ss
presents from him. ~.