The independent., 1903-07-09

Ing since the WdT has Uetu kuliy dS
wise as white voting was before the
war. The colored people of the south,
after becoming citizens, did not seek
revenge nor mischief. They intended
well. 1t was not their fault that
many of the results were evil. 1t
was bad enough for white citizens to
see their late slaves led by foreign
influence. 1t might be political nee
essity-it was not any the less thing
grievous to be borne by their white
fellow citizens
But where the emancipated were
largely in excess of the white voters,
it amounted in fact to the subsection
of the white people to the legislation
of the colored. And in those states
where legislatures were in the powe
of the late slaves, and.where northern
men, not always the wisest, led them
| on to foolish and wasteful legislation,
increasing taxation and squandering
the results of it, plunging the state
deeply into debt by an unmerciful is
sue of bonds, it is not to be Won
dered that something like revolution
ary methods were adopted, and that
| self-defense led men to violent resist
ance.
III. When, at a little later period,
| history no longer under the inf1u-
ence of violent and heated passions,
shall sit in impartial Judgment upon
this whole movement Of the past
| quarter of a century, two results will
stand out prominently.
% The admirable conduct of the
slave population during the war, in
dustrious, orderly, humane, an!
| peaceful; their great bravery when
the north made them part of the
army; their general good conduct at
| ter peace was established, and their
thirst for education as the indispens-
able condition Of good citizenship
Their future may not be what theoc-
lists predict, but it will be auspicious.
(2) The remarkable conduct of the
white population of the south. Hurlei
from political power, defeated in war,
| wasted in all resources, wounded il
every household, in the loss of hus-
| band, son or father; all industries
=subyerted and to be refounded ON a
new basis-and, worse than ALL to
see their late slaves changing plac-,
reins of legislation under foreign
leadership-is it wonderful that at
such a revolution convulsion rather,
southern citizens often mistook the
way of duty, that some rude rem
edies of violence were practiced, that
some counter methods of violence
were attempted?
These things are not to be justified.
But is It not now a matter Of tran
scendent wonder that the evils were
so few, and that the patience and self
control of southern people SO soon re-
adjusted the whole industrial and civil
economy? | glory in history which,
with all its infirmities and blemishes
yet presents to the world the most
notable instance of the force of self.
government which has ever occurred
in history!
~. Passing from city to city, and
the prey of reporters, who report
from memory, am grateful to them
that SO few misconceptions of my Ian
guage creep into their statements. On
one or two points allow me to be ex-
plicit.
O | do not think it wise that the
whites and blacks should mix blood.
Yet it is their right and liberty to do
SO, if they choose. But 1t is to be dis
couraged, on grounds Of humanity.
But if it must be, it should not be
illicit, but under the sanctions of mar.
riage.
t2l The slaves are free. They must
come under a universal law as to
their social position. No legislation
can put ignorance and knowledge on
level; Incidence and industry, vir.
tue and vice, rudeness and refine
ment. The household is to be fire,
to choose or refuse it's company. NJ
obstruction should be put in the path
OF education. All opportunities for
development should be sacredly kept
open TO every class; every encour.
agement given to industry, wealth
refinement, and good citizenship. Af-
ter that society must be free, so far as
legislation is concerned, to choose It.,
own partnerships.
(3) The Atlanta Constitution makes
me point out Mississippi as the great
central state; l said Missouri, not
Mississippi.
V. was born in New England. but
from my childhood / breathed the air
of the whole continent T was From,