UncleTom

The Recent Past FROM A SOUTHERN STANDPOINT. Reminiscences of a Grandfather. “FORSAN ET HÆC OLIM MEMINISSE JUVABIT.” BY RICHARD H. WILMER, BISHOP OF ALABAMA. ____________________________________________ NEW YORK: THOMAS WHITTAKER, 2 AND 3 BIBLE HOUSE. 1887.
“ UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” Page 41. THERE was a book, written by Mrs. Stowe,— a sister of the celebrated Henry Ward Beecher,— which had an immense circulation, and exerted a powerful influence. It was a work of fiction, entitled “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” It was written with considerable ability, and was, in some respects, a most attractive and thrilling narrative. It collected together many incidents illustrative of the cruelty with which slaves were said to be treated in the South. They may have been true, or not true. You can find similar incidents in all the relations of life, in all ages, and among all people. Yet— strange to say— the book, if carefully analyzed, speaks volumes in favor of that which it was written to condemn. It was, essentially, a specimen of feminine logic. But let me explain. Shortly after the war I was in New York, and met with an old acquaintance. The conversation turned upon domestic slavery. I asked him how it was that the Northern mind had become so thoroughly abolitionized; telling him, that when I was a youth, pursuing my studies at old Yale, the abolitionists were few in number, and not of much social standing. 42 REMINISCENCES OF A GRANDFATHER. He replied, that, in his judgment, “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin ”— the book above referred to— had as much to do with the growth of a bitter feeling against slavery as any other agency, and asked me if I had ever read the book. “Of course I have,” said I : “ we all read it, and in some respects admire it— chiefly, its power as a work of fiction. If it pretends to describe slavery as it generally existed, it is pretty much a work of falsehood.” “ But yet,” I continued to say, “ very few have ever pondered that book, and extracted its truest and deepest meaning.”— “As how? ” said he. “ In this way,” I answered. “ Tell me who was the most striking character in that book for honesty, fidelity, and piety? ”— “ Why, ‘ Uncle Tom,’ of course,” he said,— “one of the finest characters I ever read of ! ”— “ Yes,” I said, “ he was; but who was Uncle Tom? Was he not a slave? and does not the book go to show, that, if you want to find the best specimen of honesty and piety among servants, you must seek him among the slaves? Africa did not produce him, does not now produce him. We think that domestic slavery tended to the production of just such a character; fostering the instinct of obedience, from which spring reverence and faith. Be this as it may, I can say this much without contradiction,— that, according to Mrs. Stowe’s book, slavery is not incompatible with the highest development of honesty and piety in the slave.” “UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” 43 He pondered my remark for a moment, and said, “Of course, I must admit that much: it is so written in the book.”— “ Well, again,” said I, “ who was the most attractive character in the book? ”— “ Eva,” he said, “ one of the most lovely of her sex, gentle and refined,— a beautiful character indeed.”— “ Who was Eva? was she not a slaveholder? ”— “ Yes, she was.”— “ Then,” I replied, “ in so far forth as that book is concerned, if you want to find a specimen of a peculiarly gentle and refined young woman” (Eva was the young lady of the house in which Uncle Tom served), “ you must seek for her among slaveholders. We have an idea that the relation between those two parties— the young mistress and the old servant— tended naturally to the production of the qualities described in them both. At any rate, you must admit, that, according to Mrs. Stowe, refinement in the woman is not incompatible with the position of ownership in slaves.”— “ Yes,” he said, “ I cannot but admit that much: it is so set down in Mrs. Stowe’s book.”— “ And now, once more,” I continued, “ who was the worst character in the book? ”— “ Why, Legree,” he answered,— “ a vile and cruel man.”— “ Who was Legree? was he not a Northern man who came South, trafficked in slaves, and maltreated them? ”— “ That is all so,” he answered. 44 REMINISCENCES OF A GRANDFATHER. I then wound up the conversation by saying to my friend, “ Then, the gist of the book is this: if you want a good, honest, and religious servant, seek him among the slaves— find an Uncle Tom; if you want to see a glorious specimen of womanly loveliness, seek her among the slaveholders— find an Eva: and keep every Down-Easter from having any power over the poor creatures. Mrs. Stowe’s book must be held responsible for this conclusion.” A profound silence ensued, and a profound silence should reign for a while among the chatterers on this subject. For all that was beautiful in that condition of society has passed away. And there was something beautiful in the relation between the parties— especially in the care taken of the young and the old. Beautiful and just and benignant was the patriarchal condition of slavery in the “Old Dominion.” All gone, or going— the honest and loving-hearted Uncle Tom, the lovable Eva; fast going— the faithful old mammy, the decent and comely maid-servant, reverence, obedience, faithful service, and Uncle Tom piety— all vanishing into space; and what have we instead? Conflicts of races, animosity and distrust, jealousy of capital, suffrage without sense, religion without morals, service without reverence— Gog and Magog— the old war between oppressive capital and discontented labor— he that runs may read! “UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” 45 I say this, without fear of just contradiction, that slavery, as it existed in my time, in the State of Virginia,— I say Virginia, for I was born and reared in that State,— presented the justest and fairest condition of society that I have ever seen or read of. The same was true, I doubt not, in other Southern States. Compare the condition of the slave laborer with that of any class of people in similar employment in other lands. Read of the condition of the manufacturing and laboring classes anywhere. The condition of the slave in the Old Dominion showed a larger remuneration for labor, and a kinder treatment, with a comfortable provision for old age. Alas! poor old black man now! I think I can say, with entire truth, that the large majority of slaves at Christmas Eve were well housed, well fed, well clothed, with something extra in the pocket. There were exceptions, of course, but inappreciable in a large view. Where is the parallel, in any country, among white laborers of same condition? But when the issues of the war emancipated the black, and Republicanism clothed him with the rights of American citizenship, including that of suffrage, the South handed over to the country millions of people of African descent, prepared, in the judgment of a majority of the people of this country, to exercise the duties and enjoy the privileges of said citizenship. 46 REMINISCENCES OF A GRANDFATHER. These were the “down-trodden slaves,” so-called! What Christian mission has ever accomplished the same result on the coast of Africa? How is it with the Indians? If there be any truth in the coming histories of this country, such facts as these will not long be silent, but will speak in tones most eloquent of the benignant and civilizing power of domestic slavery. My heart warms even now as I recall the past, and there come up before me the memories of my childhood and early manhood; of the dear old mammy who took me into her arms, and made me sit in her lap, and eat of the buttermilk and the ash cake with apples in it, which with loving hands she had made ready for her “ young master” when he came back from college. You, my children, who shall spend your lives in the Southern States, and shall take part in the effort to adjust the social and domestic life to this new order of things, will some day, I fear, be forced to appreciate what I have said of the past, and anticipate for the future. As yet, while I write these lines, we have some few of the old folks left. They have all of our love and respect. These have not yet learned to look distrustfully upon the friends of their childhood. Fond memories still bind them to their white friends. “UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” 47 As to the young fry, who are not taught reverence and subordination, what is their destiny? I shudder to think of it. I hope that I may be mistaken. God knows that I am doing all in my power to avert the impending danger. But what can you hope for in the large, from a people, who, by their own confession, know little of the virtues of chastity and honesty? Would they come under the influence of a religion which makes “ things which are true,” “ things which are honest,” “ things which are just,” the foundation of their religious character, then we might hope to see a superstructure of “ those things which are lovely and of good report.” But, alas! thrown off to themselves,— especially in our rural districts, where they outnumber the whites,— their religion oft becomes a caricature, not far short of the Fetichism of their native Africa. The Church could help them, and is now putting forth more energy on their behalf; but alas! they cling to their own devices, and will have none of her ways. We read and hear— usque ad nauseam— of the brutalizing and debasing effect of slavery upon the character of this people. All their degradation is referred to this relationship. 48 REMINISCENCES OF A GRANDFATHER. Orators and pamphleteers expatiate upon the theme, until some people actually begin to believe there is something in it. But whence, and when, and through what period of time, came their present comparative advancement? It was not in Africa, nor from Africa, that the influence came which elevated him from the savage state. The white man goes to Africa, and has to write out a language for the natives. As a people, they have little inventive power. They seem to make slow, if any, advancement in their native land. Even under civilizing influences in their own country, they develop slowly and doubtfully. Yet, under the auspices of servitude in the Southern States, millions have been raised to American citizenship, which is denied to the ever-free Indian. If they were not fitted for it, what a shame to have given them power to dominate the white race, as they did in some localities! If they were so fitted, what a tribute to the elevating influences of Southern slavery! And their citizenship was accomplished by a vote of a majority of the people of the United States! I say nothing in vindication of slavery in its origin. It was a foul wrong, shared alike by North and South, and to be repented of by both sections with works meet for repentance. “UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” 49 It was a foul wrong, to sell Joseph into Egypt, and afterwards to enslave his descendants there. Yet out of this wrong the wonder-working providence of God wrought good unto Israel. So may it be in the case of Africa in America! I say nothing regretfully of the fact— not the manner— of the negro’s emancipation. I am doing, as I have always done, all in my power to help him in every manner. I am alike a debtor to the bond and the free. But I do maintain, and that without fear of reasonable contradiction, that the negro’s present civilized condition and capability is due to this cause,— that he was brought closely into relations with the white men— and the best white men in his state of servitude. The closer the relation,— as in the family,— the more marked the advancement! Here is a fact which should be deeply pondered by those who love and seek the truth; viz., that the slaveholding population of the Southern States were, for the most part, men of standing and culture, imbued oftentimes with a chivalry of spirit which forbade unkindness to the slave who lived under his roof, who ate of his bread, and hearkened unto his voice. A true Southern man will not be unjust to his dog. Reminiscences of a Grandfather: Previous Chapters, *RECONSTRUCTION. Book Library: Excellent ! scanned Book copy.* The Unionist— John C. Calhoun. Rails West. At A Georgia Camp Meeting At The Cotton Picker’s Ball “If the South had only wanted to protect slavery . . .” “Southern States were not interested in returning and paying unfair tariffs . . . .” TaxJudas.com Proposed 13th Amendment Marching Through Georgia!

The Recent Past
FROM A SOUTHERN STANDPOINT.
Reminiscences of a Grandfather.

“FORSAN ET HÆC OLIM MEMINISSE JUVABIT.”

BY RICHARD H. WILMER, BISHOP OF ALABAMA.

____________________________________________

NEW YORK: THOMAS WHITTAKER,
2 AND 3 BIBLE HOUSE. 1887.

“ UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” Page 41.
THERE was a book, written by Mrs. Stowe,— a  sister of the celebrated Henry Ward Beecher,— which had an immense circulation, and exerted a powerful influence. It was a work of fiction, entitled “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” It was written with considerable ability, and was, in some respects, a most attractive and thrilling narrative. It collected together many incidents illustrative of the cruelty with which slaves were said to be treated in the South. They may have been true, or not true. You can find similar incidents in  all the relations of life, in all ages, and among all people. Yet— strange to say— the book, if  carefully analyzed, speaks volumes in favor of that which it was written to condemn. It was, essentially, a specimen of feminine logic. But let me explain. Shortly after the war I was in  New York, and met with an old acquaintance. The conversation turned upon domestic slavery. I asked him how it was that the Northern mind had become so thoroughly abolitionized; telling him, that when I was a  youth, pursuing my studies at old Yale, the abolitionists were few in number, and not of much social standing.

42 REMINISCENCES OF A GRANDFATHER.
He replied, that, in his judgment, “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin ”— the book above referred to— had as much to do with the growth of a bitter feeling against slavery as any other agency, and asked me if I had ever read the book. “Of  course I have,” said I : “ we all read it, and in some respects admire it— chiefly, its power as a work of fiction. If it pretends to describe slavery as it generally existed, it is pretty much a work of falsehood.”   “ But yet,” I continued to say, “ very few have ever pondered that book, and extracted its truest and deepest meaning.”— “As how? ” said he. “ In this way,” I answered. “ Tell me who was the most striking character in that book for honesty, fidelity, and piety? ”— “ Why, ‘ Uncle Tom,’ of  course,” he said,— “one of the finest characters I ever read of ! ”— “ Yes,”  I said, “ he was; but who was Uncle Tom? Was he not a slave? and does not the book go to show, that, if you want to find the best specimen of honesty and piety among servants, you must seek him among the slaves? Africa did not produce him, does not now produce him. We think that domestic slavery tended to the production of just such a character; fostering the instinct of obedience, from which spring reverence and faith. Be this as it may, I can say this much without contradiction,— that, according to Mrs. Stowe’s book, slavery is not incompatible with the highest development of honesty and piety in  the slave.”

“UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” 43
He pondered my remark for a moment, and said, “Of  course, I must admit that much: it is so written in  the book.”— “ Well, again,” said  I, “ who was the most attractive character in the book? ”— “ Eva,” he said, “ one of the most lovely of her sex, gentle and refined,— a beautiful character indeed.”— “ Who was Eva? was she not a slaveholder? ”— “ Yes, she was.”— “ Then,” I replied, “ in so far forth as that book is concerned, if you want to find a specimen of a peculiarly gentle and refined young woman” (Eva was the young lady of the house in which Uncle Tom served), “ you must seek for her among slaveholders. We have an idea that the relation between those two parties— the young mistress and the old servant— tended naturally to the production of the qualities described in them  both. At any rate, you must admit, that, according to Mrs. Stowe, refinement in the woman is not incompatible with the position of ownership in  slaves.”— “ Yes,” he said, “ I cannot but admit that much: it is so set down in Mrs. Stowe’s book.”— “ And  now, once more,” I  continued, “ who was the worst character in the book? ”— “ Why, Legree,” he answered,— “ a vile and cruel man.”— “ Who was Legree? was he not a Northern man who came South, trafficked in slaves, and maltreated them? ”— “ That is all so,” he answered.

44 REMINISCENCES OF A GRANDFATHER.
I then wound up the conversation by saying to my friend, “ Then, the gist of the book is this: if you want a good, honest, and religious servant, seek him among the slaves— find an Uncle Tom; if you want to see a glorious specimen of womanly loveliness, seek her among the slaveholders— find an Eva: and keep every Down-Easter from having any power over the poor creatures. Mrs. Stowe’s book must be held responsible for this conclusion.” A profound silence ensued, and a profound silence should reign for a while among the chatterers on this subject. For all that was beautiful in that condition of society has passed away. And there was something beautiful in the relation between the parties— especially in the care taken of the young and the old. Beautiful and just and benignant was the patriarchal condition of slavery in the “Old Dominion.” All gone, or going— the honest and loving-hearted Uncle Tom, the lovable Eva; fast going— the faithful old mammy, the decent and comely maid-servant, reverence, obedience, faithful service, and Uncle Tom piety— all vanishing into space; and what have we instead? Conflicts of races, animosity and distrust, jealousy of capital, suffrage without sense, religion without morals, service without reverence— Gog and Magog— the old war between oppressive capital and discontented labor— he  that runs may read!

“UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” 45
I say this, without fear of just contradiction, that slavery, as it existed in my time, in the State of Virginia,— I say Virginia, for I was born and reared in that State,— presented the justest and fairest condition of society that I have ever seen or read  of. The same was true, I doubt not, in other Southern States. Compare the condition of the slave laborer with that of any class of people in similar employment in other lands. Read of the condition of the manufacturing and laboring classes anywhere. The condition of the slave in the Old Dominion showed a larger remuneration for labor, and a kinder treatment, with a comfortable provision for old age. Alas! poor old   black man  now! I  think I  can say, with entire truth, that the large majority of slaves at Christmas Eve were well housed, well fed, well clothed, with something extra in the pocket. There were exceptions, of course, but inappreciable in  a large view. Where is the parallel, in any country, among white laborers of  same condition?
But when the issues of the war emancipated the black, and Republicanism clothed him with the rights of American citizenship, including that of suffrage, the South handed over to the country millions of people of African descent, prepared, in the judgment of a majority of   the people of this country, to exercise the duties and enjoy the privileges of said citizenship.

46 REMINISCENCES OF A GRANDFATHER.
These were the “down-trodden slaves,” so-called! What Christian mission has ever accomplished the same result on the coast of Africa? How is it with the Indians? If  there be any truth in the coming histories of this country, such facts as these will not long be silent, but will speak in tones most eloquent of the benignant and civilizing power of domestic slavery. My heart warms even now as I recall the past, and there come up before me the memories of my childhood and early manhood; of the dear old mammy who took me into her arms, and made me sit in her lap, and eat of the buttermilk and the ash cake with apples in it, which with loving hands she had made ready for her “ young master” when he came back from college. You, my children, who shall spend your lives in the Southern States, and shall take part in the effort to adjust the social and domestic life to this new order of things, will some day, I fear, be forced to appreciate what I  have said of  the past, and anticipate for the future. As  yet, while I write these lines, we have some few of the old folks left. They have all of our love and respect. These have not yet learned to look distrustfully upon the friends of their childhood. Fond memories still bind them to their white friends.

“UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” 47
As to the young fry, who are not taught reverence and subordination, what is their destiny? I shudder to think of it. I hope that I may be mistaken. God knows that I am doing all in my power to avert the impending danger. But what can you hope for in the large, from a people, who, by their own confession, know little of the virtues of chastity and honesty? Would they come under the influence of   a religion which makes “ things which are true,”   “ things which are honest,”   “ things which are just,” the foundation of   their religious character, then we might hope to see a superstructure of “ those things which are lovely and of   good report.”
But, alas! thrown off to themselves,— especially in our rural districts, where they outnumber the whites,— their religion oft becomes a caricature, not far short of the Fetichism of   their native Africa.
The Church could help them, and is now putting forth more energy on their behalf; but alas! they cling to  their own devices, and will have none of her ways.
We read and hear— usque ad nauseam— of the brutalizing and debasing effect of slavery upon the character of this people. All their degradation is referred to this relationship.

48 REMINISCENCES OF A GRANDFATHER.
Orators and pamphleteers expatiate upon the theme, until some people actually begin to believe there is something in it. But whence, and when, and through what period of time, came their present comparative advancement? It was not in Africa, nor from Africa, that the influence came which elevated him from the savage state. The white man goes to Africa, and has to  write out a language for the natives. As  a people, they have little inventive power. They seem to make slow, if  any, advancement in their native land. Even under civilizing influences in their own country, they develop slowly and doubtfully. Yet, under the auspices of servitude in the Southern States, millions have been raised to American citizenship, which is denied to the ever-free Indian. If  they were not fitted for it, what a shame to have given them power to dominate the white race, as they did in some localities! If they were so fitted, what a tribute to the elevating influences of Southern slavery!
And their citizenship was accomplished by a vote of a majority of the people of the United States!
I say nothing in vindication of slavery in its origin. It was a foul wrong, shared alike by North and South, and to be repented of by both sections with works meet for repentance.

“UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” 49
It was a foul wrong, to sell Joseph into Egypt, and afterwards to enslave his descendants there. Yet out of this wrong the wonder-working providence of  God wrought good unto Israel. So may it be in the case of Africa in America! I say nothing regretfully of the fact— not the manner— of the negro’s emancipation. I  am doing, as I have always done, all in my power to help him in every manner. I am alike a debtor to the bond and the free. But I do maintain, and that without fear of reasonable contradiction, that the negro’s present civilized condition and capability is due to this cause,— that he was brought closely into relations with the white men— and the best white men in his state of servitude. The closer the relation,— as in the family,— the more marked the advancement! Here is a fact which should be deeply pondered by those who love and seek the truth; viz., that the slaveholding population of the Southern States were, for the most part, men of standing and culture, imbued oftentimes with a chivalry of spirit which forbade unkindness to the slave who lived under his roof, who ate of his bread, and hearkened unto his voice. A true Southern man will not be unjust   to his dog.

Reminiscences of a Grandfather:
Previous Chapters, RECONSTRUCTION.
Book Library: Excellent ! scanned Book copy.

The Unionist— John C. Calhoun. Rails West.

At A Georgia Camp Meeting
At The Cotton Picker’s Ball

“If the South had only wanted to protect slavery . . .”
“Southern States were not interested in returning and paying unfair tariffs . . . .”
TaxJudas.com

Proposed 13th Amendment

Marching Through Georgia!