The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1875-11-30
Caste; the sourceof Trouble In the
south.
BY A SOUTHERN RESIDENT.

The real cause of all the trouble here,
is, that the South has taken n position
on the race question, or more definitely,
on the negro question, that is entirely
incompatible with the nature and work
ings, and the whole spirit of Christian
institutions. The enlightened Christian
sentiment, not only of the North, but of
all Christendom, in accordance with the
emphatic teachings of Christ, condemns
the exclusion of the colored race from
the fullest and freest enjoyment of all
the privileges of the Christian sanctu-
airy. To shut the door of the church
and Sabbath-school, where the whites
worship, against "The least of my
brethren" even though he OF she be
black, is so manifestly shutting that
same door against Christ himself, that
the enlightened conscience of Christen-
dom revolts at il. Now the position of
the South on this specific subject or
rather upon the principle which it in
wolves, is one of unreasoning, passion
ate and contemptuous hostility. The
Christian world needs not to be told at
this day, that caste is utterly repugnant
to the whole spirit and nature and design
disturbing element in the Southern body
polite. Caste is unreasoning, proud,
contemptuous, and murderous. In obe-
dience to its behests, the press of the
South demanded the exclusion Of all the
white friends of negro suffrage, &c,
from all courtcsies and even the common
humanities of life. Don't speak to
those on the streets, don't give them n
cup of water when sick, don't give them
Christian burial when dead, " said q lead
ing journal, and nearly all others re-
sponded-amen and many a life has
been victim to this horrid spirit.
There has been great improvement since
that day, in the tone and manners Of the
press, but the change has not reached
the radical evil.
In n word, the conflict in the South, is
with the principles and government of
Him who extends all the blessings of
his salvation including its earthly Incl
dents and privileges, alike TO rich and
poor, exalted and humble, white and
colored.
This abnormal relation of the two
races here, as above described, is not
only Obstructive of all the true amenities
and dreciprocities of Christian intercourse,
but il is at war with all the conditions Of
common prosperity and thrift II pre-
vents efficient cooperation between the
races, and doubles the ordinary expenses
of all public institutions and means of
accommodation, when the people are
scarcely able TO provide for one set.
The old and profoundly true motto, 'In
union there is strength" for all enter
prises, here finds all the conditions for
its practical workings entirely disregard
ed or abolished. The people of the
South imagine vain thing, when they
set themselves against the decrees Of
Jehovah Jesus, who has especially made
our treatment OF the least of his redeem
ed children the test of our fidelity TO
Him and his government. And is not
his government the most real of all
things?
Shall we ever have peace in the South
and cordial intercourse with the Chris
tians Of the North, 80 long as the re-
quirements of this spirit Of caste are
thrust forward in the intercourse and
Christian labors of the two sections? II
seems to me very important that Chris
tians North should distinguish the real
source of our troubles here and should
place themselves squarely on the right
side of the question involved. / Ameri-
can Missionary.