Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-29

fully made, that would not be deemed
suitable habitations for hogs mt the
North. A large portion of the Sxl0 negro
huts, that we saw in the rural districts of
Georgia and the Carolinas were entirely
without window sash or glass. WhateVer
light such structures have must find its
way within through the generous cracks
in the unclapboarded walls, or the squar,
holes, closed at night with rough board
shutters, that serve the purpose Of Win
dows. 1t is only the pressure of grim
necessity that drives most of the inhabi-
tants OF these homes to work. Ambition,
or foresight do not come within their
horoscope Sufficient unto the day is the
abundance thereof; the morrow will TAX
care of itself. 1t is thu philosophy of
the tramp, with the difference that it j.,
localized. The negro is not migratory in
his disposition. His home attachments
are strong. He loves the sunny South
with passionate devotion, and his little
world is usually bounded by the town or
county limits.
There are no false assumptions on the
part of the Southern people in their
attitude towards the negro race. They
recognize the facts that exist, and as the
North comes to do the same, old differences
will be forever cleared away. There can
never be social or industrial equality be-
tween the races The differences are
fundamental. 1t Is only by mutual
recognition of them that the two races
can live side by side in harmonious rela-
lions, and mutual helpfulness. The civil
affairs of the South are and always will
be controlled by the white population
but we saw many evidences on our trip to
indicate purpose to give the negro race
reasonable measure of recognition, es-
pecially in municipal affairs.
1t was my good fortune to fall in with
Il Southern gentleman, an ex Confederate
officer, and strange to say, Republican,
who talked very frankly and freely upon
the problems forced upon the South by
the race question He said: 1--WE are
glad to have Northern people come down
here and see conditions as they actually
exist Your people, in attempting to
deal with this race question have too
frequently argued from false premises to
wrong conclusions. You have ascribed to
the Southern negro a degree of intelli-
gence and capacity for self government
that he does not possess. You have
assumed that the industrious and enter
prising negro Of the North was n fair ty pc
Of the negro as he exists in the South
AS matter of fact there is no comparison
between them. | have been amused to
see how rapidly these ideals of Northern
men are shattered when they come down
here and are brought face to face with
existing facts. | am Republican, and
have been very much gratiied at the
growth of our party in the South during
the past few years. The solid South is
thing Of the past. 1t was only made
possible by Northern misapprehonsion Of
Southern conditions The two sections
are rapidly growing to understand one
another. Northern men, in large num-
bers have settled among US, and are de-
voting themselves, with characteristic
energy, to the development of Southern
resources. Old lines are melting away
The North is coming to see and appreciate
the truth concerning US and to Under
stand the evils of political parties divided
by the color line, and arraying race
against race. In my Judgment the
greatest mistake the Republican party
ever made was when it placed the ballot
! in the hands Of four millions of ex-sIaves.
To this must be attributed in large
measure, the spirit of political intolerance
that dominated the South in the two de-