The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-04-07
EACH YEAR

while travelling the distance of 80 miles
that interviewed between Franklin and the
city of his destination.
On his arrival at the picket lines sur
rounding Nashville early Sunday morn
ing he was refused admission until he
could in some manner identify himself TO
the satisfaction of the higher military au-
thorities. When informed that Gen. Gran
ger was commander of the post at Nash
vile, he recalled that he had formed the
acquaintance of that officer during one of
the temporary occupations OF Franklin by
the Union troops some months previously.
Accordingly he sent his name TO Gen.
Granger, who promptly returned an order
to the officer in command Of the picket,
reading thus: Let Hardy and his Israel
ties pass into Canaan" Hardy and his
companions entered the city. where his
merits being well known he was at once
given the position in the hospital above
referred to. He performed all its duties
faithfully, and during the spare hours
which came to him worked industriousiy
at his trade. thereby adding to his little
stock of ready cash and preparing for the
unfolding future to which he looked for
ward with a good deal of interest and no
little trepidation.
CONSCIENTIOUS NEGRO.
He was very conscientious i'm every
thing. even doubling at times the entire
propriety of his conduct in stealing him
self land his wife from the clutches of his
hard-hearted master. He said, Il have
been taught by the Bible that a thief is
a criminal; and l have been taught from
my childhood by the whites that to steal
a negro was the worst form of thievery
here l have stolen two negroes from their
owner-myself and wife. How can | ac-
count for that great crime at the day of
Judgment"
An energetic and radical Northern min
lister, Chaplain of one Of the regiments,
hearing this proposition thus stated by the
conscientious negro. replied:
Stealing! Who's been stealing? Your
ancestors were stolen from Africa; you
have been stolen from every day of your
life since you have been big enough to
work; your master has stolen $500 year
from you for many years. Stop your
nonsense about stealing yourself from
him. You have stolen nothing You are
free man, and in the eyes Of the Lord
you always were. Danish your scruples
look out for yourself hereafter; and be
sure that on that score, at least, the day OF
judgment need hold no terrors for you. y
Whether this assurance was conclusive or
not. Uncle Hardy's" compunctons finally
died cut, or at least ceased to have EN-
phatic expression, and he no doubt uti
mately outgrew them.
He was modest and unObtrusiye, yet
firm and decided in all his opinions. He
was an intelligent. respectable, worthy
man. He could not read or write, yet
colld carry on good mental business calcu
lations and used very correct language in
ordinary conversation. He was vel
versed in all Scriptual points, quoting
many long passages with perfect accuracy
and. as a rule, applying them correctly.
Uncle Hardy" was well informed or
all matters concerning the agriculture
and resources of his region. Although
he, probably, had not worked for any
length of time as a field hand, he had By
observation and conversation, and by lis
tening to the discussions of others &C
quired very accurate general knowledge
as to the agriculture OF the country, thu
methods Of raising it's corn and cottor
crops, and yield per acre. cost of produc
| ton, profits, etc. He could discuss intelli
gently all the matters of local interes
commonly talked about by the better elias.
of the white men Of the country. He coulG
expatiate on the errors and evils Of sla
very from the standpoint, not so much o