THE NEGRO MUST BE TREATED WITH AN OBJECT.-We have the so-called "unsurmountable obstacle" to contend withthe Negro folk. The most hated, abused despised, by certain classes of whites, in these free United States of any country in the world. They were not found in the native African jungle as they are, but were made what they are today by the grace of God and the lash upon their bare backs in the hands of a self-styled, domineering aristocracy, and concomitant evils. It ought to now be the business of every conscientious white person to overlook the many faults of this despised people, and try to do them good by firm and persistent examples in the arts of justice as well as industry. In nine cases out of ten you will gain their confidence and best efforts in usefulness by pursuing this course. CHAPTER III THE "SMART NEGRO. HOW KNOWLEDGE SPREAD.-"I have no use for a smart nigger." This is a common phrase now often used by an irresponsible populace. Now, what may constitute a "smart nigger," if there is such a being for us to introduce in these pages? Is this term applied to all educated Afro-Americans, or to a certain class only? We shall soon see. First, he is supposed to be one who has come in contact with the outer world; one who has left his rural surroundings, the ancient traditions, the submission and obedience to the "old Massa in de big house on de plantation befo de wah." Secondly, it is the offspring of this old slave class now being educated and made mentally independent, and to a marked degree self-reliant. The process of awakening of the class above referred to has been long in progress. And in this connection it is well for us to remember that in case slavery had been prolonged to this day it would have been impossible, even under the most adverse conditions, to keep all the Negro people in ignorance and illiteracy. The history of slavery testifies to this fact. These people were the quickest of any barbarous race on earth to perceive the touch of the magic rod of civilization, not excepting the Japanese in their willingness to learn and rise. This characteristic was discovered by the great patriarchal planters long ere slavery was abolished in the South. THE OLD PLANTATION SLAVE SCHOOLS.-In Louisiana, for instance, they conceived a plan of educating their slaves for more efficient service, that was so wise and enlightened, and it is proved, so substantially beneficial, that it would be well to take it into consideration, at least in some particulars, in the study of the present race problem. Long before "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was written, and while yet great slave-holding magnates regarded slavery as an establishment beyond the reach of social agitation or political vicissitude, wise and kindly members of the ruling class had conceived and set in motion a system whereby slavery could be robbed of its most repulsive aspects, and be transformed into an agency of exaltation. These men were not doctrinaires, but they were humanitarians. They loved their slaves, who formed a large part of their active life and thought, and they felt it their duty to lift them out of the mire of degradation and subjection, if such a thing were possible. Thus it came about that schools were established on hundreds of planta tions; nothing like our modern schools, of course, but just the plainest and simplest agencies of experiment and observation. The main object and idea were to disclose the special latent gifts, proclivity or talent of the scholars, and to cultivate and mature them to their highest degree. Special gifts and tendencies were ascertained, developed, perfected. And so it followed that thousands of slaves became bricklayers, carpenters, blacksmiths, tailors, engineers, sugar bailers, artisans of every kind, including even musicians. In many parts of the country there may yet be found ancient buildings, entirely erected by skilled slave labor. They were permitted to pursue their vocations in freedom, merely paying to their masters a small percentage on the assessed value of the individual. In all respects they were at liberty. They lived where they pleased, could acquire their own homes if they wished, and accumulate their own property; and in all these respects were protected by law. It is said, and no doubt true, that the Negro who dwelt under this dispensation, seventy-five and more years ago enjoyed more actual freedom, and received more substantial and respectful conside-ation, than do his descendants today, who are excluded from many branches of industry by white labor. Long before the war there were a few schools for Negroes in Delaware, Virginia, and |