The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-05-03
Second South Carolina Men Return.

Company B, Greenville's quota in
the I'd South Carolina Regiment, mus
tered out at Augusta the day before
yesterday, were joyfully received
by their home friends and relatives
after their long absence. Capt. w. g.
Shrine is justly proud Of the fact that
he lost not q single man during the
service by sickness or otherwise and
that none are left behind sick.
In speaking OF the manners, customs
and characteristics of the Cubans, and
venturing an opinion as to their future,
Capt. Shrine said:
ave found that the people OF Cuba
were apparently glad to see the Amer
lean soldier, and while we were there
no clash occurred. They We're apa-
thetic in their manner, but whenever
approached for information seemed to
be anxious to prove themselves friend
| ly. The better class Of Cubans are IN
all respects like our own Southern c1tl,
zens so far as their conduct toward
strangers is concerned. 1t is errone-
ously supposed by some that they are
not of pure blood, but from obserya-
tion can say that this is a mistake.
A large part of the islanders are ne
groes but occupying toward the better
class the same subordinate position
that negroes occupy in this country
Among the less cultured portion OF the
inhabitants they associate on terms OF
equality, and the consequence is more
noticeable admixtlIre OF blood. A
large majority OF the Cuban soldiers
we saw were negroes and mulattoes,
| but the officers were white. | can only
speak from actual observation IN and
around Havana. do not recall seeing
single negro merchant or officer OF
the government. tits true that some
of these business men are swarthy,. but
could see no trace OF African blood
in them. 1t there is friction between
the whites and blacks it did not come
within my view or knowledge. The
entire population strikes me on the
whole, as industrious and self respect
ing. They are qlick-tempered and
free in expressing their thoughts and
to this excitability Of nature must be
attributed the disorders that have oc-
Cured in Havana. There are all over
the island, however, men OF high IN
telligence who have been educated in
the United States and in Europe. Their
conservatism seems to be having o
favorable effect among the educated
class. believe that in the course OF
four or five years the people will have
become accustomed to the art OF self
government and will appreciate IN q
measure its responsibilities. do not
pretend to express an expert opinion,
for the many duties that was called
upon to perform left me little time to
investigate or study the conditions, but
everywhere went / found shrewd and
we'll informed business men, quiet and
orderly laborers and soldiers who, it
not we'll disciplined, certainly attend
ed to their own business.
II did not expect to see evidences OF
craftsmanship or diplomacy, but / OBJ
served activity in commerce and patrl-
Otic efforts to master municipal prob
lens.
at is not necessary to refer to the
inherent weaknesses of the Cubans IN
expressing the view that they are capa-
Bile of some day managing their own
affairs. Many of them are cruel, re-
vengeful and treacherOus, but this is a
characteristic of their progenitors. AS
sociat,on with Americans will probably
eradicate many Of these evils. There
is a movement to increase the number
of schools and hospitals.
..The city of Havana will be more
fit place to live ina year from now than
ever in It's history. American ideas OF
cleanliness are becoming general. In
the country, however, it will doubtless
be many years before the unfortunate
disregard of the c0mmonest Of sanitary
laws is mitigated.
cone cannot expect that a people so
long threatened, oppressed and perse-
cuted can spring into prosperous: civil
ization at one bound. There is Ger
tain to be disaffections, brigandage
and dishonesty in the administration
or local affairs. But the general wish
of the people to be recognized as gov
ernors of their own country, coupled
with the peaceful influence OF CONNER
cial interdependence, will have pow
erful effect in establishing law and
order. These views may be too hope
full, and the troubles OF the South
American republics may be repeated in
Cuba. However,, the nearness of the
island to the United States, and the
constant interchange of ideas through
the business letter and the press, may
form a close union OF sympathy and
urpose.''-G,ccnrIlc Nc,rs, April-2z.