Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-09-23
A MONUMENT TO SLAVES.
Tribute 20 Their Fidelity by Miss
Soinri, "a southern Woman.

Tribute tO Their Fidelity by Miss
SoIari, "a Southern Woman.
In the hearts Of the mighty fallen Is
deep rooted the feeling of inextin.
guishable gratitude to the loyal slaves
20 whose care the women and children
were intrustcd during the entire period
of the war between the states. II Is a
sentiment that still remains smoldcring
In the souls Of those who owned them.
To those slaves who watched the fire.
side. titled the soil. helped spin. weave
and make raimcnt for the master and
his son on the battlefield - to those
slaves who protected AMI provided for
the families ut home--is due monu-
ment that will tell the story to coming
generations that cannot be taught the
lesson of self sacrifice and devotion
OF the slave In any other way. II
time is ever ripe for noble deed. now
is that time. for the grand. courteous
southern slave owner Is fast passing
away. and to erect the monument
would be to hand down to posterity an
open book In which our southern chill
dren can learn that every negro is no
'black ficnd." The north would not
understand the sentiment or course
not.
Erecting this monument would infiu-
ence for good the present and coming
generations and prove that the people
OF the south who owned slaves valued
and respected their good qualities as
no one else ever did or will do. It
would bespeak the real conception Of
the affection OF the owner toward the
slave and refute the ISLANDERS and
falschoods published In "Uncle Toms
Cabin"
There did exist In the days OF trial
and hardship not only perfect under
standing. but the kindcst sympathy.
and In thousands of plantations and
homes where every white male on the
place able to bear arms would go to
the battlefield the helpless families of
women and children were left entirely
TO the care and protection OF the trust
ed slaves.
No one who was rocked to sleep by
the sweet lullaby OF the faithful black
uSttutu W htt Ntiu kuOHt
stories. nurscd ut her breast or played
about her cabin door would ever be
willing TO have these tender memories
die out. There IL the side of sentiment,
the side Of gratitude. that those who
have felt the touch can never give up
nor can they forget the debt due the
faithful 40 per cent OF slaves that re-
manned with their masters after free
dom"
Erect the monument. 1t will result
In much good. rs II will tell future
generations that the white men OF the
south We're the negroes best friends
then and that the men Of the south
are the negroes best friends today.
Instances portraying the fidelity OF
the slaves might be told to III endless
volumes and would rcclte the sweetest
stories OF heartfelt devotion. the most
unselfish acts. prompted by pure love:
self forgetting. they would sacrifice
comfort-yca. even go hungry-and
with n smile serve those to whom they
felt an undylng fealty. They could not
express all they felt. but for mammy's
''glrl" or boy" they could work and
suffer and teach blessed lesson OF
endurance and glorified fortitude. for.
as Miss Dromgoole so swectly ex-
presses IT,
Her face IL as black as ebon.
Wrinkled and scanned and old.
But her heart. ! know. Is AZ white as
snow
And true as the rarest gold.
Her brown hands. old and feeble
With the touch OF passing years.
Would Danish each trace OF care from my
face
And brush from my heart the tears.
Nanny and friend. ! loved her.
Humble and all unframed.
But love to trace In her love the face
That robber years have claimed.
Her face Is as black as ebon,
Her soul ms fair as the day.
And her prayers. know. wherever 80
Will follow me all the way.
Confederate Veteran.