The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 29, July 1925 - April, 1926 Page: 66

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

THE BRYAN-HAYES CORRESPONDENCE
EDITED BY E. W. WINKLER
XVI
BRYAN TO HAYES
Independence, Washington Co.,
Nov. 26th, 1882.
Dear Rud:
I have your letter of the 9th inst. It remained some days in
Galveston before I reached there. I was too much engaged while
there to answer. I came here to my brother Austin's with whose
family are my daughter Laura and my little boy Guy. I brought
my older daughter from Hollins Inst., Va., last Sept. I left
Guy here when I left for Va. My sister-in-law Mrs. Austin
Bryan is an admirable woman and I want Laura to be with her
for the benefit of her instruction. Hally is still at Hollins and
will I expect remain there until June '84. Willie is on a farm
in Wharton County. I have not yet settled down owing to pecu-
niary embarrassments, being unable to get out of debt because
I cannot sell land.
I read your address and I was gratified to see your views on
the subject of Slavery, etc. The education the negro most needs
is his moral education, to fit him for intellectual development
and to make him a good citizen. The negro's platform of morals
and intelligence is as far apart from that of the white man, as
that of the Indian. And as long as he is treated as standing
on the white man's platform so long will there be failure in efforts
to improve him. He must first be elevated morally, and every
effort for his development should be made in that direction. I
could say much more on this subject but it would be out of place
in this letter. In looking over some old Kenyon papers the other
day I came across the enclosed composition. Believing that it
would interest you, I enclose it. I am not sure that the Demo-
crats will succeed in election of next President. Should they,
I am disposed to think he will be a new man. The people are
evidently dissatisfied with "Bosses" and Arthur, in N. Y., and
I think that that dissatisfaction seems to be growing elsewhere.