Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-19

their race is bulldozed, imposed on and
generally oppressed by the malignant
minority" in the South. 1t seems,
however, that these self-sppointed col
ored leaders received but cold comfort
from Mr.. Garfield He told them, in
very plain language, that it was folly for
them to aspire to the control of the
Southern white population, or even to
compete with them for power,
until they had qualified them
selves by culture and intelligence.
The education of your race" he
says, '1ies at the base of the final solu-
ton of your great question, and that
cannot be altogether in the hands of
State or National Government The
government ought to do all it properly
can, but the native hungering and thirst
ing for knowledge, that the Creator
planted in every child, must be cultivated
by the parents of these children to the
last possible degree Of its ability, so that
the hands of the people shall reach out
and grasp in the darkness the hands of
the government extended to help, and
by that union of effort the two will bring
what mere legislation alone cannot i'm
mediately bring. l rejoice that you
have expressed so strongly and earnestly
your views in regard to the necessity of
your education. have felt for years
that that was the final solution"
Evidently this colored delegation felt
that Mr.. Garfleld's remarks to them, as
quoted above. were good enough as far
as they went, but that they were far
from satifying. So one "Mister" Elliott,
then introduced one Bishop" Hurd as
the bearer of an address from the Board
of Missions of the African NJ E. Zion
Church, which conveyed to Mr. Garfield
the congratulations of the church on his
election, expressed confidence in his in
tention to do whatever he could to
redress the wrongs of the colored race,
and promised him the continued prayers
of the church for his successful admin
istration of the government To this
the President elect responded very brief
ly. simply thanking the Bishops for
their kind expressions and suggestions,
and dismissed his visitors rather sum
msrily with the remark, "After what
l have already said. no further responses
will be necessary"
The only inference to be drawn from
this entire proceeding is. that Mr.. Gar
field and the whole North are growing
weary of these constant setting forth
Of imaginary grievances by certain
colored men of the South, who seem to
think that they are literally the wards
of the nation, land that it is the duty of
the government not only TO feed, clothe
and educate them, but to maintain them
in power and position, at the point of
the bayonet if necessary. The country,
too, is beginning at last to understand
that these oft reiterated complaints do
not proceed from the masses of thee d.
ored people Of the South or even from
their representatives, but that they ema-
nate from certain clique of negroes,
who, having received a smattering of
education, take upon themselves to be
leaders Of their race, in the hope that
they may be able to monopolize the
fat Federal offices in the patronage of
the administration. The sentiment is
evidently gaining ground that the Gen
eral Government, having freed and made
a full fledged American citizen of the
negro, has done its full duty by him,
and is now disposed to ensure him as
far as possible fair opportunities with
other citizens, but at the same time to
teach him that he must henceforward
do as other citizens have to do-rely on
himself
Mr. Garfeld's advice to these Mentor
pilgrims was certainly good, and they
will be wise if they profit thereby. They
ought to know that it is simply matter
of impossibility for them to become either
the social equals or political superiors of
the whites. The experience of recon
struction proved this conclusively. Then
they were upheld in place by the strength
of the Federal army, while the Federal
Legislature seemed never to weary of en-
deavoring by law to force social equality
Of the races, Yet all failed, and if the
General Government could not elevate
them at that time, when the South was
all chaos and confusion. and when the
bulk of the Southern whites were dis
franchised and bowed to the earth with
defeat and poverty, it is folly to presume
that either force or law can do so in the
future.
The best course, therefore, for the
Mentor pilgrims, and all others of the
aspiring blacks to pursue is to do as
General Garfield said-educate them
selves; endeavor by culture and refine
ment to make themselves worthy of
position, and not be continually whining
SO absurdly for the General Govern
ment to interpose its arm to save them
from a powerful and determined
minority" They may rest assured
that the South will be foremost in
guaranteeing them their political rights,
and if there is any virtue or merit in
them, they will have ample opportunity
for its display and to secure its recogni-
ton. Let them give up their insane de-
sire for social equality and their mania
for oficeseeking, and become good citi-
zens. This course alone will ensure
them prosperity, and command respect.
Ex-Confederate Generals are many of |
them achieving fame and fortune in
roster paths than of old Major |
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