Black and White: Land, Labor, and Politics in the SouthFortune, Timothy Thomas
History
Black and White: Land, Labor, and Politics in the South
Fortune, Timothy Thomas
African Americans -- Southern States; Southern States -- Economic conditions; United States -- Race relations
others. He commits not all, but many, of the sins, crimes,
and misdemeanors, and indulges many of the vices of polished
humanity--cultured Caucasian humanity. They have had but
moderate experience in the sole management of their own
affairs.
Again (p. 66):
The Negro is neither a beggar, nor a pauper, nor a tramp;
and if honestly dealt with, he can make his own way. Where
they are idle and profligate, execute the law vigorously
against them, and they will approve and aid in the work. We
can lift them up, or cast them down. For one, I think we owe
them a debt of gratitude and impartial justice for their
faithful conduct during the war; and when disposed to
criticise and reproach them for not coming in all things up
to your sentimental notions, just put yourself in their
place. Then you will, if your scales are true and your
weights just, settle the question with little difficulty. I
cannot serve my readers better, perhaps, than by quoting the
words of the Rev. Dr. Callaway, lately Professor in Emory
College, Oxford, Ga., and new President of Paine Institute,
Augusta, Ga., a native of that State, and to the manor born.
In a late address, he says: "We have spoken of the Negro as
related to the conduct of the war, but it remains to be said
that, in his relation to us as a friend during that period,
and to our wives and children as guardian, the testimony of
his fidelity is on the lips of every surviving soldier. It
is easy to conjecture how, with a race less loyal to home
and patron, the testimony in the case might have been a
narrative of lawlessness and license. What he refrained
from, therefore, is to his credit. But in the four years of
darkness and demoralization, when, besides those of military
age, every boy whose muscles were equal to the support of a
musket, and every old man with vigor enough to mark time,
was called to the front, the Negro, commanding as a
patriarch and reverent as a priest, kept sacred vigil at our
homes. Besides this, with a foresight not developed for
himself or his family, but evoked by virtue of his office,
and the piteous destitution of our loved ones, he provided
for their wants. 'They were a-hungered, and he fed them.'
What he did is to his honor. What we refrain from in our
place of power as the superior race, shall be to our credit;
what we do in return shall be in proof of our appreciation.
The conduct of the Negro during the war proves him kindly,
temperate, trustworthy; his conduct since the war reveals in
him considerateness, purpose, capacity, an order of growing
good qualities. During the war his inferior courage, it may
be assumed, inured to his superior serviceableness, his
fears giving counsel to his courtesy and care. So set it
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account