Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-14

starved looking mules dragging car or
cart, all these things attract our atten-
ton and in the very poverty of the picture
we realize what we do not see We find
none OF the comfortable homes of whites
we had expected to see, no we'll titled
farms, no sleek cattle, no fruitful gardens.
what wonder. that without any object
lessons the colored people live on in the
slip-shod ways of their fathers, their
COTTON crops morteaged before they are
gathered, to pay the store bills in town
Great is our amazement that so many
people as swarm along the way we take,
can find anything to sustain life. We
must surely have come to a region where
are no iealousies and social rivalrics
tor there is common dearth of all earthly
possessions. We think that the saying
of "Campmeeting john could better be
applied to this locality than any other we
have ever seen, =" Blessed be nothing for
taxes come low.
We believe that not until some sacrific-
ing Northern mortals settle down at var-
Gus points and show what can be done in
home lie, and patiently instruct the
gaping crowd, or until the schools in
different parts Of the state gather in the
children from these homes and send them
back as leaven to lcaven the lump, will
any change be possible The soil, red as
it is, can be made to produce luxuriaut
fruits, vegetables and grains, but such
knowledge has not come to the comprc
hension of the settlers. Ignorance and
lack of energy make the problem of ad-
vancement hard one. The distinction
between the races is clearly seen at Gains
VILE, Ga, whore at station, arc Haunted
the signs. Waiting room for white PEG
pie, " Waiting room for colored people. "
Our Pullman car conductor. as we near
Atlanta, gives US valuable information
He explains the promiscuouS scattering
cotton balls in ravine over which We
pass,-a train had been wrecked but a
little time ago, and a snail colony of
blacks Juggling ut ropes are clearing away
the great heaps Of debris.
We asked him about the cotton crops
and learn that the pickers receive 40
cents in store produce for each hundred
pounds. We note the beautiful and IN
usual green of the pine trees, 1--WE had
thought that no trees in all the world could
equal those at our own Pine Bluff } but
he tells us this is distinctive feature of
the Georgia pine so noted for its beauti-
full grain and value as finish He gives us
much insight into the condition of the
southern people of the poorer classes and
ventures the assertion that Northerncrs
will not dispute, Poverty isn't disgrace,
but it's terribly unhandy.
Look quickly" says an informant,
this is Peach Tree Greek, over which at
just this point, Sherman and his army
crossed on that famous march to the sea .
And now the array of Exposition build
at our journeys end and to see the face
before we leave the car. of the member of
our.association. Mrs. Cora Stuart Wheeler
of Boston, custodian of the Massachusetts,
exhibition.
Our landlady, to be, in special courtesy
to the representatives of the n +. W. p.
A. is also at the station to meet us, and
we are soon slowed away on a tally-ho"
that has come for our use and find OR
way to The Ballard to the music of the
horn that causes the passers by to specu
late on the nature Of the bcvy of pleasure
seeking travellers.
ANNA SARGENT HUNT.
e., foNI -