Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-21
NOTEBOOK Of |
AN ONLOOKER, ;

A negro talking sound sense in dis
cussing public questions is as surprising
as to hear wisdom proceeding from the
mouths of babes and stockings. In the
latter case one has the scriptural predic-
ton TO prevent such overwhelming sur
prise. but in the former there is no Bible
text and no popular aphorism to prepare
one for such a phenomenon. Yet, | heard
a negro-an old one-get at the whole root
OF the matter in discussing the new
policy Of Imperialism the other day. in
a manner which seemed to me to show
the c~learest apprehension of conditions
existing in Uncle Sans ne-wly-conquered
territory.
MY Gawd," he said. in tones OF deepest
disgust, as he backed up against a tree
in the Capitol Square, what d dey want
wild any mo 'niggers? Amt dey gut nuff
OF EN- now? Talkin' bout us keepin'
Cuby an Porter Reeker, an de Phillip
peen Islan's Dey's nobody but niggers
a few viii folks what amt as good.
Looks to me like Yves gut more niggers
an anybuddy else, ourselves, but we kin
fin white people here. an 'ey tell me
you nebber do see no white man out dab.
70 don no mo niggers. Yves done
brung on one big wah forh yo', an Z
looks to me like niggers had a mighty
heap TO do wild dish. Too many niggers
now. Ain room foh mon half OBJ EN-
to run aroun'. De res Oh 'em hab TO
stay in jail. Bet it's heap wuss an at
out dab. Jes' you fin out how many
dem in jail. Bet dey's half oh EN-, less
dey ain got jails 'nuff. No sahl Fob
Gawd's sake, don let's take in any mo-
niggers. F yo' don wan glib 'em back
10 Spain; let Ell shift fer 'emselves. OATS
way we he'd to do. 'Spose dem French
people he'd tried to take in US. Don you
reckon Ginl Wash'n't'n an de res OBJ
EN- 'u'd a raised a orful row? Course,
de would. Let 'em niggers alone. II dey
CANT root dey gwineter stahve."
II is perfectly safe to say that the great
joke OF the war, after the Matanzas Mule
and Blanco's typewriter battles is the
proposition for this government 10 pay
the Cuban insurgents for their service in
lighting for their independence. On first
reading OF IL, my sensations were very
similar 10 those given me by the man
from whom ave bummed a cigar kindly
inquiring II | will have him TO do the
smoking also.
Brigadier-General Charles King. now In
The Philippines. is probably as well known
to Americans through his novels as any
author now living. 1t is safe 10 say that
next TO General Lees his name is more
familiar to Dispatch readers than that
II any general officer in the service, and
while his admirers regret that his novel
making has ceased. even temporarily,
they naturally expect some with a Phil
ippine setting when the war Is over. A
brother officer Of Kings the other day
recalled TO my mind the fact that when
the latter left the service about fifteen
years ago he retired from General Mer-
ritt's stan. King was a rapid young fell
low in those days, and whiskey got him
into SO much trouble he had 10 be gotten
out of the service. He was General Mer-
ritt's adjutant. and was stationed In Ari-
zona. General Merritt was devoted 10
him, and parted from him with sorrow.
King never realized what a hold drink
had upon him until ne left the service.
II was when he found himself without a