The Future of the Blacks [pp. 419-423]

FUTURE OF THE BLACKS.
not influence their conduct, but they should consult their present and
future interests, and unite with their present friends. Friendship
does not consist in bestowing upon them suffrage; because that, in
the end, may prove ruinous. Whether it will be beneficial, may
depend upon the manner in which they use it. Those who will aid
them in their industrial pursuits are far more friendly to them than
those who are willing for them to vote merely that they may assist
in putting certain men into office. The writer of this article, in the
early part of this year, published an address to the freedmen of
Lowndes county, Miss., in which he used the following remarks,
which are applicable to freedmen every where:
"In the first place, I say beware of becoming politicians. Mingling in
politics, and spending so much of your time in attending public meetings
can do you no good, and may do you much injury. Such a course will neither provide you food nor clothing. Most of you have made contracts for the
present year; a faithful compliance with which will enable you to make
something for yourselves and families, and also to give your children the
benefit of education, to some extent. Remember that your freedom is secure, no person proposes to interfere with it, and you have now to support
yourselves and families by honest labor. Those who tell you otherwise are
creating delusive hopes which never will be realized. If you neglect your
contracts for this year, and are led astray by political delusions, you will be
destitute of the means of living, and next year will be almost in a state of
starvation, with none to help you. Whilst the white men who own the lands
would be seriously injured by your failure to comply with your contracts,
you would be the greatest sufferers, because they have more means of support than you have. Your interests and theirs are the same. Whatever
injures one will injure the other.
There are men now ready to import foreign laborers to take your places,
and to put you out of employment. This is your real danger. It may be
avoided. Show yourselves faithful to your contracts this year, and the white
men whom you have long known, and who are your real friends, (no matter
what designing men, whether white or black, may tell you) will give you
the preference in all contracts, and will stand by you and protect you in all
difficulties. Your object should be, by honest labor, to acquire the necessaries and comforts of life, and to accumulate property. The less you have
to do with politics the better it will be for you. Attend to your own business, and let those of your race who are neglecting their legitimate pursuits
to meddle with political affairs, see that you are too wise to follow their example. At the proper time, exercise the right of voting conferred upon you
by Congress as you think best.
If you wish information or advice consult with those who are disposed to
deal most fairly with you in your business transactions, and be not misled
by mere professions of attachment which are often made by those who care
least for your real interests. Those are your best friends who foar not to tell
you plain truths which may be unpalatable to you, but which are for your
good.
Mingling in politics never did any man much good, and may prove your
ruin.
You need the benefit of capital and credit to aid you in your onward and
upward progress. These can and will be supplied by the white men among
whom you live, and who are disposed to deal justly and liberally with you
and to afford you all the means in their power for you intellectual and material improvement.
If any evil disposed persons, white or black, attempt to sow the seeds of
bitterness and hostility between you and the white people of the South,
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