Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-10-29

The first installment Of the notes ap-
pearing under this heading was pub
lished in our issue of November IA,
1913. The notes are being prepared by
the editor as time and opportunity per-
NIT. Their purpose is to bring into
review the events Of the past for the
pleasure and satisfaction Of the older
people and for the entertainment and
instruction Of the present generation.
164TH INSTALLMENT. =.
Thursday Morning, Sept. s, 1S67)
Negro Education.
The indifference Of the white people
of the sorth to the sentiments OF the
negroes is really surprising. Little If
any desire Is shown to acquire an
influence over the minds or to teach
them that the interests Of both races
are not conflicting. When 1t Is re-
membered that the political power OF
this state is to be welded by an ef-
fective majority Of black voters this
indifference becomes unwise, not to
say criminal 1t Is indeed strange that
men Of intelligence are willing to sit
calmly down and witness the clothing
of an ignorant race without an effort
to instruct. them as to their duties or
to secure the power for their benefit
of right principles and proper OBJ
jects.
AS things are now, the negroes
without the slightest conception Of the
purpose for which the ballot system
is intended, see in it only a means by
which they imagine they can get prop
erty. Nor are they much to be blamed
for holding such opinions, for they
know nothing at all about the nature
Of government and the idea Of voting
themselves rich has been held out to
them as a bait by parties hostile to
the southern white race. This idea
having been seized by their minds. how
can they expect to believe 1t false un-
less those who know better undeceive
them? If southern men scornfully
hold themselves aloof, refuse to explain
kindly and patiently such errors and
stupidity let things rip" while north
ern Radicals send out energetic
emissaries who use every effort to win
the confidence Of the negroes, the re-
suit can be easily foretold. There is
yet time for the restoration Of the old
confidence between the races, If 1t is
only attempted. But so long as one
party cajoles while the other studi-
ously neglects the negro vote, it is not
in human nature for them. to form and
take sides with the latter. Whatever
may be said to the contrary, negroes
are human beings and subject to the
are easily won by kindness and SYM
pathy or repelled by contempt or in
difference. The only means by which
the Radical party has gained converts
among them are to boast (falsely)
of what they have done for them and
to show an interest sometimes pre-
tended and sometimes sincere) in their
welfare And wherever southern men
have used the same means their in
huence is fully equal to that Of the
Radical missionaries and generally
greater, for it is strengthened by the
additional power Of old association
Wherever southerner has undertake
en- the task Of teaching a negro school
he has been rewarded by their unlim-
tied confidence and affection, seldom
equaled by white scholars and this is
so because they appreciate the advan-
tages of an education more highly
than those who have always enjoyed
these advantages.
1t ought to be a matter Of regret
that the instances by which the last
assertion is to be proved are so few.
But we are convinced from one case
which came under our immediate OBJ
servation that any one who engages
faithfully in the honorable work Of
preparing this hitherto untaught race
for usefulness as citizens will have no
cause to regret his labors. And is it
not more properly the work Of our own
people than Of strangers?
We are certainly more vitally inter-
csted in their becoming intelligent,
society than all the world beside.
They have been thrown upon our hands
in the new capacity Of political equals,
their votes count for as much as ours
and they are as eligible for office and
having the advantage of numbers,
they are likely to be the makers and
unmakers Of law.
Under the circumstances, prudence
dictates that we should use every ef-
fort to fit them for their responsible
ties. We are not responsible for the
crime Of giving the ballot to them
while unfit for it but we are compelled
TO bear the consequences. Our only
chance for good government is to
confer intelligence upon them. And
for this reason if for no other, negro
schools ought to be encouraged and
sustained. The occupation of a ne
gro teacher may be looked upon as
low by some persons but there Is
none which is more honorable or use
full. The southern man who under
takes the charge of a negro school
now is doing a favor and service to
his country, he is in a position Of
great influence and if he uses that in
fluence right he is entitled to the
gratitude Of both whites and blacks.
The Kings Mountain Railroad.
We omitted to chronicle in our last
issue the completion Of the track Of
the Kings Mountain railroad. The
rails were laid to the depot on Tuesday
Of last week. and trains run daily to
Chester straight from this place.
One Of the locomotives-the Kings
Mountain-has been completely over
hauled and re-fitted in Columbia, and
is now performing admirably on this
road.
A meeting Of the stockholders was
held here last Monday at which it was
determined to postpone the regular
meeting until Wednesday, 18th inst.
a L.