or in the presence of
Democracy the negro has learned to keep silence. But in search of
the truth let him go to the file of over 3,000 letters in the
Governor's office from negroes in the South, and read in them the
homely but truthful tales of suffering, oppression, and wrongs.
Let him note how real is their complaint, but how modest the boon
they seek; for in different words, sometimes in quaint and often
in awkward phrases, the questions are always the same: Can we be
free? Can we have work, and can we have our rights in Kansas? Let
him go next to the barracks and watch the tired, ragged, hungry,
scared-looking negroes as they come by the dozens on every train.
If he is not prompted by shame, then from caution necessary to
the success of his errand, let him here conceal the fact that he
is a Democrat, for these half-famished and terrified negroes have
been fleeing from Democrats in the South, and in their ignorance
they may not be able to comprehend the nice distinction between a
Northern and Southern Democrat. If he will be content simply to
listen as they talk among themselves, he will soon learn much
that the laborious cross-examination of witnesses has failed to
teach him. He may take note of the fact that fleeing from
robbery, oppression, and murder, they come only with the plea for
work and justice while they work. He may see reason to criticise
what generally has been deemed by Southern Democrats at least,
the unreasonable folly in a negro which prompts husband and wife
to go only where they can go together, but he will find nothing
to cause him to doubt the sincerity and good faith with which the
negro grapples with the problem of his new life here. If he would
learn more of this strength of resolution and the patience which
they have brought to the search for a home in a free land, let
him inquire concerning the lives of these refugees in Kansas. It
may seem of significance and worthy of approving note to him,
that as laborers they have been faithful and industrious; that in
no single case have they come back asking aid of the relief
association nor become burdens in any way upon corporate or
public charities; that as citizens they are sober and law-abiding
to such a degree that he would hardly be able to discover a
single case of c