The news & observer., 1897-04-18
NEGRO CELEBRATION OF THE An
NIVERSARY OF APPOMATOX.

To the Editor: April 9th, the anniver,
sary of Lees surrender, was observed D!
the negroes Of Henderson, and l suppose
by those of other places in the State as q
| day of rejoicing. 1t is intolerable that
these people, citizens of the State, should
| rejoice over the darkest day in her an
nails. the day of her supreme Illumination
and agony.
| We're it the real anniversary OF their
| emancipation, there would be excuse for
| it. But it is not. Lincoln's proclamation,
| issued in September. 1862, declared all
| slaves within the Confederate lines-the
vast majority Of the race-to be free on
| the first day OF the following year.
Therefore, January 1st is the true ami
| versary. 1t is natural that they should
| celebrate it as they do. But to rejoice
| on the 9th of April. while the true heart
Of the State is in sack-cloth and ashes, is
rude and wonton insult.
If the negro persists in this he is no
| true North Carolinian; but an alien. And
as an alien let him be treated. Let him
educate his children with the tax on his
own property, and not with the taxes
wrung from the Southern white man,
| impoverished by the very system OF ma
tional, or rather sectional legislation,
which the negro ballot upholds.
Now despite the fact that the negro has
been used by the North as a tool or
rather as weapon to harm, and if
possible destroy the Southern whites. he
is entitled to just and even considerate
treatment at our hands. For he was
largely passive weapon. He did less
l. %En- Aorfh
have done; for Of all the children of men
he has less vindictiveness. While we are
accomplices-accomplic after the fact
though it be-to the great crime and folly
Of bringing him here. Therefore, no
white man should deny or grudge him
the right to elevate himself il he can or
refuse to lend him a hand in need. So
far he has not turned his freedom
greatly to his betterment.
Contact with our civilization does not
yet seem to have made much impression
on him. History teaches that true civili-
zation must be indigenous, as it wrere, it
must come from within.
In this connection I would deprecate
the attitude Of but too many Of our
own people as to issue y: the war for
Southern indepanucrc, With craven
ness of spirit utterly unworthy Of our
record, we are coming TO regard 1t as
very lucky thing that the Southern arms
were overthrOwn-to look upon the
North as an erring son grown older and
wiser might look at the parent in his
former character Of rod wielder. This
is, of course, yielding the whole case. 1t
IS tantamount TO acknowledging that
Southern statesmen were narrow, selfish,
purblnd. That the Southern peOpIe were
reckless and willing to put all to the
touch for the maintenance Of slavery
itself cunsed thing. We cannot c',m-
plain if history registers as final what We
have ourselves accepted.
The fact is that we are falsifying his
tory and slandering the highest states
manship that this country has seen.
Slavery was the occasion-not tie cause
Of war. The wa was waged in de-
fense Of States rights and against the
insidious doctrine of Capitalization ever
fatal to liberty.
The overthrow of the South and the
consequent complete destruction OF the
States right balance wheel was the
greatest calamity that could have befall-
en- the whole country. For lay what
fattering unctdon we may to our souls.
it is dead. Appoma't:x was its grave.
SimOnton injunctions, trusts intrenching
themselves under the aesis OF the Fed
eral power to rob and plumber are but
one or two Of the inevitable leyacies Of
that dark day which the negroes cele-
brate.
Even II complete separatioA from the
North was not best, compromise BY
which the States could have been guar.
anteed their original power and prestige.
would have been worth even all that the
war cost in blood, treasure and bGghted
livea esst. ..s-
The time Is coming, and from present
signs, fast coming. when all viii see
that Southern statesmAnGhip, which even
we are now loud In discrediting. was
sound and prescient. With clear and
far-reaching vision, the secession leaders
saw the breakers ahead, and forbidden to
steer the ship Of State Alright, they
sought to abandon her carrying with
them their people.
0. w. BLACKNALL.
Kittrell. N. c.. April II. 1897.