Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-07-31

IdSl Ic" Jay ~ IotNS NSpiNeS
from an editorial in the Richmond
Christian Adrocate, on the subject in
Dictated in the heading of this article
| have seen nothing since the war on
this subject which has so amazed me.
The learned author, in discussing the
relation between the negro and white
races, has taken rare exceptions in
each, from which to establish general
rule, and from this standpoint he pro-
ceeds to Judge the whole, than which
nothing is more groundless and fallo-
cious.
During the existence of slavery, in
the immediate neighborhood in which
the writer resided, the moral. religious
and pecuniary status of the slaves was
infinitely superior to what it is at pres
ent. In period of twenty years, be-
fore the war, within an area of five
miles. there were 500 slaves. During
that time not case of capital punish
ment occurred-not Il case of rape-no
crime of greater magnitude than petty
larceny was known. 4 large majority
of the adult population were members
of Christian churches, and regular at
tendants. One man hired himself from
his owner, annually, and soon accumu-
lated enough money 10 purchase the
liberty of himself and wife, and they,
united, soon secured means enough tc
purchase an excellent farm of over 200
acres, with a substantial two story
frame dwelling, with other excellent
farm houses.
Another man, hired his time,
opened n small shoe mandatory,
and very often employed ten OF
twelve hands at time, and frequently
would loan his master considerable
sums of money. Many others, by shoe
making, basket, mat and comb max
ing, always supplied themselves with
very respectable incomes. Supplied by
their owners with food, raiment, lodg-
ing, fires, beds and having all theii
taxes, medical bills, &C., paid for them,
they used their surplus income in pur-
chasing hats, shoes, clothing, gloves
and umbrellas for Sunday. And what
time did they have?
For the first five years after the war
the well-trained old slaves, males and
females, generally worked Industrious
" and made their children work also.
They strove to purchase an acre or two
more or less of land, constructed loe
cabins and withdrew to themselves.
Another phase of freedom appcarcC
during the next semi-decade. Public
schools were opened and large num-
Der of negroes from ) to 20 years OF
age made haste TO acquire an education.
In few years their former slave par
ents lost all control over them. AS
general result they cease to work, ram
bled away to the cities and become use
less and idle. Where once was happi-
ness, contentment and comfort wreath
ed with smiles the faces of the old
Virginia negro, now stoid indifference
and sulen stupefaction brood on the
countenance. The amount of prosper-
ity among them is not one-half what 1t
was in the days of slavery. Not one i'll
hundred shows any industry or thrift,
while the great mass are idle, thrittless,
ungrateful and are becon ing more de-
graded animalized daily.
The effort of public school education
(permit one to speak who conscien,
tiously served for twelve years as a
public school trustee) ofthe negro, has
been most detrimental to his mental
and social status. 1t has rendered him
imaginative, dreamy, sensual, lazy,
and totally disinclined to work. With
the animal always preponderating the
intellectual, and the sensual domi-
mating the spiritual, he has sought to
utilize every educational advantage for
the qualification of self-indulgence.
This, is the great object and end of his
being. No impulse Of ambition nor
pecuniary consideration will weigh a
feathers weight in severing him from
the qualification of his sensuality.
Hence no ropes, bullets. fine or any
other threatened punishment, II
not Immediately confronting him
will deter him from the most
heinous crimes, if their indul-
gence promises him qualification.
Like the horse, so long as he is
bridled, and kept in close subservency
to superior will, he is the truest OF
servants. But take away all restraints
and he rushes headlong into self-indul-
gence. The negro as a slave, was a
grand success; as freeman he Is not
only useless, but most dangerous ele-
ment in society. These facts were
predicted by the writer twenty-five
years ago, and they are more and more
demonstrated every day. If now and
then negro succeeds morally and
intellectually, as some do, the excep-
ton only makes the general rule more
obvious.
On the other hand, while exceptional
cases of extreme worthlessness occur
among the whites, be it said to the hon
or of the Anglo-Saxon race, that wheth-
er rich or poor, educated or uneducated,
the great mass of them, especially in
the South, under the most oppressive
legislation, the most adverse circum-
stance and the most grinding poverty,
have struggled on and reports reach me
from my old native home in the very
heart of Virginia's greatest desolation,
that the skies are bright and brighten
ing. while more and more worthless,
INDECENT and pauperiZed are the ne
groes becoming every day.
Never, while the blood Of the old
cavaliers flows in the veins of this south
ern people, will even the most degraded
seek amalgamation with the sensual
animalized negro. And should, ever
and anon, one, whether male or female,
become so degraded as to consort with
the inferior race, they will not only be