The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-12-09

I0rmdnce OF tile actual LABOR. Ine
new conditions, however, interfered.
There had been sharp severance OF
the old relations and ties. Time was
essential for the readjustment of
forces under the new regime. To mil
itate against such readjustment there
were strongly adverse sentiments up
on the part Of both the white and the
black man. The ex-master felt that
he had been wrOnged, robbed vi ct
arnlis, in fact, OF his property. Still
here was the self-same property with
out other owner, or even claimant,
aud, under existent economical condi-
tions, he was obliged to make use of
that property or all would starve,
both white and black. The black man,
even though willing to work, had
heard and was endeavorlng to under
stand that he was his own master
His right of sufferage intensified the
trouble. Through ignorance rather
than intention he became the tool, IN
many instances, OF INSCRIPTIONS and
designing scoundrels who possessed
sufficient ability to use him to rob the
white, the blacks and the govern
ments-municipal, county, State and
natiOnal-tO feather their own nests.
The troubles Of reconstruction were
almost beyond endurance, and the
benefit, seemingly, was only to the
'carpet-bagger' who was dishonest
enough to steal, direct or by proxy.
These conditions and experiences ag.
gravated the troubles naturally result
ing from emancipation, and the race
problem became grewsome skeleton
in our national closet. This race prob
lem was wound inflicted on our
body polite by the necessary and just
act Of emancipation, and the wound
would have healed OF itself in time,
il not by "drst intention" had it been
let alone. The poison Of abuses under
reconstruction made the healthy
wound political ulcer, and the
"bloody shirt" chafed ard CALLED it.
Quacks experimental on it. Yet, de-
spite all these adverse influences, the
ulcer is healing and will heal entirely.
All that is needed to aid cure is
time and cleanliness. BY cleanliness
is meant honest and fair administra-
tlons, whether in ward, county, State
or national politics.
The citizens, both white and black,
Of this region (the South are more In
tcnsely Interested In the solution Of
this problem, necessarily so, than
those of any other portion of the com.
mon country, and 1t Is becoming less
dangerous as time goes on. One who
has not lived here can never under
staud what these people, Of both COL
ors, have been Obliged to endure. We
have been tempted at times to COM
pile some true stories OF Southern
outrages" from an unprejudlced point
Of view, giving both sides, but the
thought that it would reopen the
flood gates OF recrimlnation for parti-
san political purposes has restrained
US. And yet there is an unwritten
history that is most interesting, be.
ginning with Lincolns famous edict,
which recognized the belligerency'
OF 1000, 1000 OF people. The progress
OF that people has been something
marvellous, and they deserve great
credit therefor.
Politically and commercially the
black man Is still at times the victim
Of the demagogue and the trickster
but he is gradually learning In the
bitter but most thorough school oil
Experience. Laws and usages working
In restriction of his rights and appa
rently Of his opportunities at present
will, it Is confidently believed, result
eventually to his great and lasting
benefit. Take the educational quail
flcation clause 10 the State Constitu
tiOn Of Mississippi as an example. b!
that act the black man is virtual!
eliminated as II political factor, 70
the time being. 1t practically nullifl
ed the amendment to the Unite'
States Constitution which enfran
chised him. Yet-mark the prophe
cy--it will undoubtedly result In sucl
an education of the negro that he viii
be safe quantity In politics and
good, law-abiding citizen, by reason q
his intelligence, as he Is by instinct In
clineed to be.
The negro is by nature docile, Law
abiding, God-fearing creature. Iii
impulses are kindly. He Is OF a cheel
full disposition aud most generous
Let one Of them find himself in
strange ne!ghborhood, he has but t
say that he is stranger, friendless
hungry and weary. Whatever ther
Is Of food will be freely offered, thougl
: the giyer may not know where to &c
J more, and the best Of lodging tn
T scanty cabin affords welcomes him u
rest. There Is good metal In tn
y black man, but the great mass o
metal 10 the aggregate must g
: through tho forging process of edu
cation, and tiu,A patience and homes
efforts are the essentials f0r success
We are Of two separate and dll
tinct races, and anything looking u
ward an abrosation OF distinction