Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-27
The Future OF the Negroes.

The future OF the negro is problem
that is exercising the brains Of good many
men, particularly northern men who
Know little OF the negro and practically
care less. II is a very good theme over
| which to grow sentimental and upon
which 10 build up pretty theories. More
crocodile tears have been she'd over the
man and the brother than over anything
else under the sun, and it is reasonable TO
suppose that the w,llspring Of these tears
will not be exhausted as long as the
South-hater lives. About election times
the organs dote upon champIoning
the rights OF the negro and upon
showing how he has been maltreated and
ground down, and their readers are con.
stantly treated TO pictures OF what the
negro might have been but for the I" de-
grading influence Of slavery" Well, every
body in the South is heartily glad that the
"degrading influence Of slavery" exists
no longer. Yet the fact remains that but
for slavery the negro would have neither
present nor future worth speaking OF. The
course" Of slavery we hear so much
about was curse TO the white peo-
pie OF the South but blessing
TO the negro. While the Abolition
lists, trancendentalists, and theorists
Of the North were weeping over the
cOlored race the southern sayedriyers"
were outstanding it. This is recognized
by impartial thinkers ali over the world
until it has come TO be accepted as q scieD-
tific truth that the negro owes everything
TO the fostering care OF the whites OF the
South. and that slavery constitutes the only
appreciate factor III the history Of his adj
yancement. Separate him from the white
man that understands him, and in the opn.
ion OF most southern men his condition is
practically hopeless. We know the negro
thoroughly, and we have given great deal
OF study TO the problem of his future. In
this instance, however, let us produce tes-
timeny that even the most preiudiced OF
our northern friends cannot call bilsed.
A late number OF Nature contains review
by A. II. KRANE Of Sir SPENsER ST. JoHy's
Hsyt; or. The Black Republic" from
which we take the following:
And what is the outcome OF fully three
generations OF political autonomy under
these exceptionally advantageous cOndi-
tionss Practically q reversion to, or, more
correctly speaking, an almost unrner-
ruy,ed pcrpetuatiOn OF. the African tribal
organization in IFS very worst aspects.
Such is the general conclusion conveyed
ly careful study OF Sir 5. st. Johns
work. which may be briefly described rs a
formidable Indictment against the negro
race as such, and q crushing reply to those
sentimental, philantr0pists who 20 about
preaching the doctrine OF the inherent
equality OF all mankind. In few we'll
digested chapters he deals Complementary
with the history, government, trade, in.
dustries. and social institutions OF the
Black Republic and on all these branches
Of the question his verdict is in the highest
degree adverse. Il could not but regret
he writes, that the greater may expert
ence the less l thought Of the capacity Of
| the negro 10 hold an independent position.
As long MS he Is influenced by contact with
The white man, as in the southern portion
Of the United States, he gets on very well.
But place him free from all such influence.
as In Hayti, and he shows no sign OF i'm
pIoNcntut. Ou tue contrary, Ht N TttTO-
grading TO the African tribal customs, and
without exterior pressure will fall into the
state OF the inhabitants OF the Congo. l
now sgree with those who deny tina, the
neg TO could ever originate aciyilizatiou. and
that with the best Of education he remains an
inferior type Of man. He has as yet shown
himself totally untitled for seli.goyern.
ment and incapable as a people Of making
any prOQress whatever To iudCe the ne
groes fairly one must live considerable
time In their midst, and not be led away
by the theory that all races are capable Of
equal advance in civilization lpp. 49,
1897"
II Is hsrdly necessary to say that Mr..
kEASr, who fully endorses Sir SPESsER ST.
JOINS views, has given as much time to
the study Of ethnology and anthropologyas
any man Of this age. AS thinker and In.
vestigator be stands In the front rank Of
leading authorities on these subjects.