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0987

(8)
 
accomplished by encouraging them to be frugal and temperate, to take care of the fruits of their labor and buy for themselves homes and to induce them to remain peaceable and quiet and not leave their labor, to mix in the bustling excited turmoil of men. As to granting them the right to vote and to be witnesses, I would do both, if I did not firmly believe, it would prove an injury to them and do no good to any one else unless it be to the demagogue and low politician. I am clearly in favor of doing all that can properly be done to improve and elevate the negro but I think he ought first to be educated and properly trained before the attempt is made to elevate him or he will surely fall. We had better make haste slowly and do the work well as it progresses, than to rush wildly in and let the half finished fabric tumbled down. I trust you will pardon me for troubling you with this long letter. I should not have ventured to write to you but for the fact of the position you occupy and my great anxiety to do all I can to aid and assist you and all others in ameliorating and improving the condition of the colored race and quieting as far as possible the excited feelings of their fellow man upon this and other subjects. You may be assured that in