The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-11-21
FEDERAL PENSION FOR OLD
SLAVE DARKEY.

SLAVE DRREE1.
In the hurried years since the
SIXTIES. while the north has con
oucred the empire Of the northwest
and while the south has spread It's
arms over the great southwest, while
the north has placed floating pal
aces upon itp rivers and whilst the
south has been struggling 10 restore
its lost fortunes, white the north
has gridironcd It's states with rail
ways and while the south has sought
factory enterprises, while the north
has constructed It's skyscraper8 and
the south has produced fortunes from
the cotton plant-during all this
peculiar class OF people-pecuiar IN
that there has never been any 9th
er class Ike It, This peculiar class
has moved along in its own way, it
has been OF little bother but of
great moment and this class is the
old ex-slayes OF he south. These pco-
pie were reared away from the
school, away from social intercourse
with the intelligent, born without
the privilege Of accumulating and
owning property, but being owned
themselves as lchattelg
With one stroke OF the pen of the
immortal Lincoln they were given
citizenship. American citizenship sue
ceedGl the chains Of chnttcI slavery.
They had rights thrust upon them
which they knew not how to use.
Half shouting, half doubling, they
gropcd out into the world TO earn
their living among those who had
been taught 70 believe they were
created for the purpose of slavery.
Without homes, without property.
without any training whatever ex.
copt 10 work under tho direction OF
tho negro oversccr, It might well
be imagined how they succeeded
True, there were fortunes placed
at the command OF the southern ne
gro to educate him by generous
people from the north, but this ed
ucational fund was OF no value to
the old slave darkey who had passed
the years when he could take the op.
portunlty to learn He had his chill
dren and wife, the old back nam
mic, who had worked her way into
the affections Of the people of the
south. by her devotion to duty
these ne had to care for and the
educational advantages never reach
ed him, While they have elevated
his race sill the old slave darkey
remains the peculiar class in the
south.
Today the old slave darkcy is fee
Bile, the cd NANNY is crippled with
and the men move slow.
ly about. az If true to their super
sdtion, they were awaiting the visit
of the angel whom they believe will
call 70 axe their spirits to heaven.
The south has suffered because
1t has been the impression of the
" orld that the southern slave owner
was inhuman. Many stories have
been told OF pconage In the south.
and while these things may be true
in part, such are not the sentiments
today OF the south toward the old
slave darkey. The o,d slave is known
today by his faltering step, by the
look upon his face. you
know him from his smile when he
meets the white folks and from the
tip OF his hat and his cheerful Good
morning, boss" He is the peculiar
class in American life that has been
overlooked until the vast majority
)f these have crossed over the river
There are few of them left TO hon
Or the race and 10 enjoy the affcc-
ion of the southern people The
iouth has suffered because the world
las chosen TO believe that It had
heart OF stone for the man with
he black skin.
The day of the old slave darkey
as almost reached the sunset of
lie. He hobbies about his cabin |
nd each day tries 10 earn his bread.
he old southern nanny stands