The Freeman

THE EX-SLAVE PENSION FRAUD.

The Freeman has time and time again railed against that gigantic scheme that is slowly incubating in the South, which purports for its object the pensioning of the former slaves as some kind of remuneration for having served masters in the past, but seeming to no purpose. The fraud will not down, and the statement that the American people like to be humbugged, is not so much out of the way as is generally supposed. The statement applies more strictly to these people. But there enters into this belief, bordering on fanaticism, another element that is not generally recognized. Hereditary disposition plays a conspicuous part in the strange infatuation that is being worked up to such an alarming stage.

It is fair to assume that these people do not really hope to see their apparent expectation realized. It is an inherited principle of hope, the legacy of the dark days when the total fuel of the Negro's soul was hope, hope, hope. The North star, Canada and freedom were talismanic words, which to the great bulk of the race was synonymous with hope. It is true that thousands did more than hug delusions; they ran the gauntlet of blood hounds, the deadly rifle shot and every conceivable impediment until hope was realized.

Again, there were thousands who perished in the attempt, perhaps singing: "I can but perish if I try."

But the great bulk of the race simply hoped until it became a panacea for their ill fortunes. They nursed it, fanned it, hugged it and finally bequeathed it to the generations that followed. If we are to believe in hereditary dispositions, and it now is an established principle in psychology, it will not be difficult to see that this hoping, dependence is an inherited quality. The craving is vague, often visionary and airy, for which the soul gropes as a plant for the light. It is the result of the effect of mind over matter, as is evidenced in the reproduction of the race under favorable circumstances. We do not mean to be uncharitable when we say it is a mild form of lunacy or monomaniaism which really is more comforting and sustaining to the possessor than otherwise. It is that slow fuel to the soul that keeps it at a mild glow, which without it there would set in moral degeneracy from which the race is unusually free when circumstances are considered. By unusually free, it is meant that the tyrannical heel of oppression has not spurred the race to commit excessive depredations. The anarchistical torch has not been applied, the socialistic bomb has not been thrown, nor has the nihilistic plot been unearthed. Other nations who deal with their lowly are put to their wits ends to keep them in proper bounds. This inbred principle of hope is a formidable ailment of race sustenance. It is criminal to screw this credulity up to the pitch of real expectancy as it seems is being done in this case. It should brood along—a race of ruminants. It will be borne in mind that in the back districts of the far South there is a dense population of Negroes and dense ignorance yet prevails. It is these that are being played upon by the wily schemers. As we have said on other times, it is but a few years until the light penetrates the furthermost regions. It seems to us that the better advice would be to allow the fires of the hopes of those who yet suffer the contact of slavery, to burn low. The hope that was entertained of ultimate freedom was a sustaining fire and proper dream—an art preservative; but now there is no need of special consideration of wholesale relief for other than rights denied that the nation guarantees to every citizen. It is far wiser to allow the slumbering passion to die with the possessor.

The on coming race can not afford to be burdened with credulity, the bequeathment of dependency and the wardship idea. This country is not to be further inflamed by the result of that cruel period. "Let the dead past bury the dead."

The pension list with its teeming millions already chafes those of the lost cause. This new hobby if ridden to the front ranks of affairs will be the oriflamme of increased hates and outrages, and all without a compensatory consideration.

The coming race cannot afford to be burdened with credulity, the bequeathment of dependency and the wardship idea.