Then he ate with his fingers from the hominy pot, in the fire-place; now he must have plates, knives and forks, with a table on which to spread them.
Whitelaw Reid
The Public Record
Whitelaw Reid was an American politician, diplomat and newspaper editor, as well as the author of Ohio in the War, a popular work of history.
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Now, as it was in the West Indies, emancipation has enlarged the negro’s wants, and, instead of producing solely to export, he now produces also to consume.
It is the common testimony, on those islands where white men have bought the plantations, and employed the negroes as laborers, that the old task, which the slave worked at from sunrise to sunset, is now readily performed by the freedman…
Withal, they work less, and have more time for self-improvement, or for society, than when slaves.
It is more important to observe that they exhibit the industry which deserves prosperity, and, in most cases, the thrift which insures its continuance.
They have stocked their plantations, paying the highest prices, and often bidding against white men, at the auction sales of condemned Government property.
They have erected their own cabins, secured whatever cheap furniture they contain, and clothed, themselves far better than their masters ever clothed them.
Helena, and wherever else they have had the opportunity, the negroes have bought the titles to their little farms—or “plantations,” as they still ambitiously style them.
The question about the slaves being self-supporting, is a question no longer.
They have tasted too long of freedom to submit to be driven.
He seemed rather, in bearing and attitude, to say, “I’m a man, and just as good before the law as you are; but I respect you, because you are all friends of ours, and because you know more than I do.” These people can never be made slaves…
I’d give all I’m worth, or ever hope to be worth, in the world, to be loved by as many people as love him.