The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-09-06
HOW TO DEAL WITH THE MICRO
ON THE FARM.

employ ed by the month, usually dur
ing the growing season and crop gath.
ering time. After that they have to
rely upon odd jobs to carry them
through the winter months. Taking
everything into consideration, the.
Southern farm laborer is paid as much
as one in the North for like services.
The most characteristic differences be-
tween the white laborers of the North.
and the colored laborers of the South
seem to be these: The white laborerg
OF the North have more ambition and
higher aspirations. They study possi-
bilities and look to the future for the
realization Of their cherished schemes
and desires. The negroes of the South
make use Of the psesent. They let the
future take care Of ITSELF They do not
trouble themselves with what may
never occur. They are Incapable of
practicing self denial, without which
there can be no thrift or prosperity
They do not save their earnings. They
are contented and happy, serene and
joyous, though some impending calam-
ity may threaten, but until the calam~
ity falls upon them they give small at
tention to it. Under such conditions,
the white Iaborers would worry and
give way to the most inappeasible
irritRbility. AS result of this indiffer-
ence concerning the future the colored
laborer enjoys life more; the white
laborer, studying the future, enjoys
more thrift. To be independent is g.
secondary consideration with the ne,
gro; it is Of the first Importance to tho
white man. Liberty and progressive
thought are cherished by the one ;eases
peace and contentment by the other
Toe one builds up great and durable
prosperity at the expense of ease; the.
other retains his conservatism amidst,
all the v:cissitudes of an advancing,
and energetic civilization.
The negroes deserve well of the peo-
pie of the South. They should be
fairly and generously treated. Their
faults should be largely condoned end.
their virtues should be fully recognized.
Many employers object to the shiftless,
habits of the negroes, to their want Of
thrift, economy, thoughtfulness and
carefulness, but those who urge these,
objections should reCollect that if the
negroes possessed all those high traits
of character they would not be servants
or hired hands. They would become
Independent and set up for Themselves.
The very defects in their character of
which complaint is made make them
servants and keep them so. Whatever
they are, the teachings and example Of,
the white people among whom they
have been reared are largely respon-
sible for. They know how to please
the white people Of the South, and the,
white people know how to appre ciate,
their good qualities. EIch race is USE
full to the other. There should be the
most perfect harmony between the
two, and there will be when malicious
outside influences cease to have any
weight with the negroes. Eliminate a.
few vicious negroes, and the remainder
will constitute body of working peo-
pie that for strength, endurance and
fidelity are not surpassed by any others.
of any nationality whatever.
A difficult problem, upon the proper
solution Of which the prosperity of the
South in large measure depends. is,
how best to treat and employ the negro
labor Of the South. The problem isj
greatly complicated by the fact that,
in many sections the negroes have been
taught to believe that the white people,
are their ancient and inveterate enc
mics. The two races have thus been
frequently placed in antagonism, to
the detriment of both. This deetruc-
tion of confidence in and sympathy for
each other is greatly to be deplored.
The South needs the hearty concur
renee and concentration of every force
moral, intellectual and physical, to re-
gain it's lost ascendencY and to place
it on the high road to wealth and pros
perity. A few suggestions, founded
partly on observation and partly on
Experience, are given, by which both
races may be benefited.
/. The first step should be to make,