The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-03-23

traVei. knowing ii:S great itSi sG@o C'i
tertained for him 1T the South, and
most deslrous that he should have
demonstration Of the cordiaity CT thar
feeling, I selected Columbia. s. G., rs
the first place in our journey. AS WAS
anticipated, the reception was most
gratifying, the freedom OF the city te-
ing formally presented, and officers and
private citizens vying witt, oao another
IN their successful efforts to make him
welcome. What was begun in Caro'i-
m was continued with emphasis and
without interruption in Georgia, Ala
bama, Louisiana. Mississippi, and
Tennessee, and his expressions OF
pleasure at pubic and social kindness
es and his better acquaii!tanoe with
Sout. ern character and institutions
were frequent and earnest. lie ne,cf
assumed anything because OF having
been President, was uniformly courte-
Gus and polite to all of both races. and
shrank from giving trouble or making
an exhibition Of himself. IN public
addresses and priyate conversation, bis
words and counses we're thoughtful,
patriotic, optimistic and stimulating.
AS the Slater Fund WAS gwen Tor the
benefit exclusively Of the negroes, ha
:, was most anxious to study the neGio
problem for himself, and eyes ana ears
/ were open to receive large and truthful
j. information. As VIC rode in the sn-
s burbs Of Orangeburg, s. C--%here tho
: school children, with banners and
flowers and songs, had given him "n
e enthusiastic reception, he espied an
il humble cabin in field, and, Oh Icing
q told that a family OF negroes dwell III
Q it. he asked If there would be any lfh-
"a pfooriety in his entering The hoIfe.
r Being assured to ila contrary, lie asi;sa
r me to go With I.1.n Z young woman
Is with two chi!drea, on st the treast,
&c arose and curlsiel, although Ia "tso-
lutte ignorance of her DISTINGUISHED
to visitor. Many practical and some
b. searching questions were pat, ana !
~ managed to say, in subduoi vo.ce'
I'd who the intern ogator was. Respectful
a. ba,ore, the woman then became o''e;3'
a ant, elated, jutiant, because o' the
ir- honor put upon her. \ piece o.
ial money being quietly slipped INTO he'
es. hand as we retired, She said, with i;siot
Ir. and ioy, that the child should receive
er- the name OF the President. Firm II
he his anti,slavery views ard rejoicing u
", the emancipation OF the race, ana VIVA
err ID teen accomp,i.ked by tho tnInl
,ur army, Hayes was in no sense fan""e
ee, and felt that partisauship and fec,'o'
led a,ism had been pushed 10 extremes. A.
ca one Of the numerous and unrestrai;Ie
,od conversations we bad in tfave'ln
ess through the South, he said that, IN
red conference of the Ohio representative
in Congress, he had resisted the sue
the den and prodigai bestowment VI sh
ex. frage upon the negroes hc'ore 'hs
TO we're prepared for the high g''t' bt
c, Stevens, Butler, Sumner, and othe
oot had oyerridden all opposition u To;
tho measure. 1t ought to be recorded
~ his praise and honor that throughot
-. the whole of the discussion in iaT'
~, of national aid for the removal AZ
Tho prevention Of illiteIacy, he gave,
voice and pen, his support to tn
a'ef ncce essary and statcsinanlike lneasui
re- which our Congress lacked the Wise"
lore to adopt. d,
for. When the ex-Presldent died at !
home IN Fremont, Ohio, there ''as
'eie melancholy pleasure In paying u
ton tribute OF warm personal regard by
ons. tending his funeral. For a part o: t
OK. way l travelled, in his private c'
a.. with ex-Pres,dent Cleveland, aiwa
NV" scrupulously courteous and thought,
e q towards those who were Or had Le
the the Chief Executives, and also to
, no. competitor in presidential elec'if
;o,s On my return, I enjoyed the pieasa
companionship OF Secretary Aos'
l'S Postn aster General Nanatnaker, q
let that sturdy old Romau, General Eo
the OF the Department of agriculture.
the all my acquaintance with pubic M
II have never known mere 10
oo" friend, amore conscientious, uprl.
Wise gentleman, sincerer patriot II
ately Rutherford g. Hayes.