Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-01-22
The Negro Problem.

AT the meeting of the National Edu-
cational Association at Madison last
summer, the negro and the negro pro-
blem formed no small part of the dis
cussion; and 1t is at least safe to say
that no topic presented, excited more
universal interest. What is to be the
future of the negro-what advancement
has he made-what is his capacity for
advanccment-what are the hindrances
to his progress? These were some of
the many questions ably discussed by
men in positions to know whereof they
spoke. 70 those who from personal
observation had not boon familiarized
with the work of the blacks in the
south since the war, and who had not
made this subject of special investiga-
ton, the reports were truly astonishing.
That race with hundreds of years of
barbarism and slavery back of them
and themselves not yet generation
out of slavery, should have made such
an advance in industry, morality and
education, having now over $4,000 of
its young men and women pursuing a
college course, ard hundreds of thous-
ands in its common and high
schools, was almost beyond belief
But with the change in the political
administration, the negro becomes
more than ever person of national in
terest and the new question arises.
How will this change of administration
affect the blacks? To the uneducated
and credulous negro of the south, the
defeat of the Republican party in the
last election, was the death knell of
freedom, the more SO, as the baser sort
OF whites at the south, in their Joy, did
not hesitate to use the strong language
aud insulting epithets of slavery times,
making the auction block a feature in
their parades and otherwise trying to
intimidate. The moro intelligent,
though regretting the defeat of the
party which has been their acknowl-
edged champion. predict no great
change in the condition of the negro
under the new administration. With
view to obtaining the ideas of the
colored people themselves on this ques-
ton, the African Nj. +. Church Review
of Philadelphia, sent to the leading re-
representatives. of that race in this coun-
try a. request that they write for pubhca-
ton statement of their views upon the
subject In recent number it pub
liShed the answers received, from few
of which we make extracts.
Frederick Douglass says:-"It would
be irrational to deny that the accession
of the Democratic party to power is
temporal calamity both to the country
and to the colored people. Cleveland
reform means to the baser sort Of
whites in the south, impunity for VIC
lence and oppression.
/. however, think this period of suffer
ing will not last long, am not without
hope even of the Democratic party.
Prof Scarborough speaks in the same
strain:.-'.As for my part the only ray
OF light can now discern, lies in the
supposed conservatism of Cleveland.
From Hon. H. 5. Pinchback, collector
of customs, New Orleans;--'T talk
about reinstatement is absurd and dis
paraging to the manhood and courage
of the colored men of the South. In a
country like ours. changes in the adj
ministration of the Government are
likely to occur at each recurring cleo.
ton. and sad indeed would be the con-
dition of The colored people il their.
freedom and citizenship depended upon
such n contingency The change will
soon be upon us, and, unlike many. of.
our people. expect from it q POLITICAL
inauguration of the race, and a steady
increase in the value of their franchise. I"
Rev. C. S. Smith, See'y of S. S.
Union of African M. E. church says
.srhe Democratic party may well be
distrusted; and it remains to be seen
whether it even fully trusts itself. |
may not trust it but am willing TO try
il. regard its coming into power with
some degree Of satisfaction. And whyp
Because, am anxious that the colored
people of this country shall speedily I'M
derstand the true basis of their citizen
ship.
1t is fact fully cognizan TO all who