Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-05
INGALLS, ON THE SOUTH.
The Kansas Senator Discusses the Race DIFF,
fculties and Conflicts.

race question:
"What effect will the election have upon
the southern question:" was asked OF
him.
''The race question at the south remains
as it has always been. aud for the next
generation, at least, will continue to be the
most important and formidable in our pol
itics. The change from slavery 10 freedom,
from subordination to legal equality, has
complicated instead of simplified the stu
alton. So far from solving the fatal proc
lem, it has added new elements OF dlIn-
culties and danger"
SIS any immediate adjustment proba-
ble?"
Unless history is a false teacher, it is
not possible for two distinct races not
homogeneous-that is. connOt aSsimlIate
by intermarriage and the mlngIlng OF the
blood-to exist upon terms or practlcal
political equality under the same govern
meDt. One or the other must go TO the
wall.''
do you consider the two races homoge-
neous?"
Whether the Anglo-Saxon and the negro
races are homogeneous | do not pretend 10
say, but the evidence is clear that the mu-
lattoes are disappearing ia the south. Inc
blacks are growing blacker; the
whites are growing whittier. ms
shows that the connection be-
tween the races, while the blacks
were enslaved was not voluntary on their
part, and is ceasing with their freedom.
Neither is it disputed that the mixed races
came from the union OF black mothers
it'll white fathers, and not between white
mothers and black fathers. The ethno-
logical inference from this is irresistible.
The black race Is not only growing
"a "a Y
much more rapidly than the white race:
This is a fact of ominous significance, ana
adds TO the gravity OF the issue.
IN 0 Intelligent man pretends longer TO
deny that the blacks are not permitted to
vote in many states south OF the ONO
and Potomac, where they are in the ma
jOrlty, or if they vote, their ballots are
not counted 1t is admitted that, for some
reason or other, they would, as rule, vote
against the whites. if lett 10 their own inn
pulses. Whether this Is the race antagon-
Ism of which have spoken, or casual and
temporary, | do not know. | suspect,
however, that it is a permanent condition.
The preteXt upon which suffrage IS denied
to the blacks in the south Is that the race
is not capable of self government, and that
their supremacy would result in the degra-
dation and restitution of society and the
state. ! don't distrust the sincerity or
candor of the southern whites. They prob
ably believe what they affirm: but | have
no doubt that they have deliberately
to eliminate the negro from
their politics, and upon the ground, they
reason, Of their superior Intelligence.
wealth and morality the whites must re-
main supreme"
What is the feeling at the rorth?"
There is no maleyolence nor hatred to
ward the south among the northern people,
so far as [ have heard or know, on account
OF the war. If that sentiment ever existed
it has disappeared. On the contrary there
is much sympathy, and the feeling OF
amity IS strong. Many intelligent north
erners, even among the Republicans, ap-
preciate the motives which impel the sup
preston of the colored vote, and admit
that under similar circumstances they
would be strongly moved in the same
direction. 1t was on this account that the
sectional appeal lost its force in the north,
and the public ear apparently became dull
and deaf to them. As a rule, Also immOr-
cality in politics never becomes unpopular
till 1t becomes unprohtable; ana had the
north not become suddenly aroused to the
danger that threatened their civilization
and their industries by these spurious and
majorities in congress and
in the electoral college, the Democratic
party might have succeeded in November
what viii probably be the course of
President Harrison?"
81 have no information whatever about
the policy of the new administration
toward the south. | am rs radical and
aggressive as the average Republican
and have been the subject of
some picturesque criticism from our
southern friends for venturing to
protest against their methods, but /
should not favor any vindictive, intolerant
or prospective legislation. recognize the
burdens under which they labor, and the
terrible conflicts of their future. ] would
help them and cooperate with them if
they would make it possible to do SO, but
we must have fair play. They cannot sup
press the votes, and still retain the repre-
sentatiOn. They must relinquish the IN
crement and let each voter be an equal
unit of sovereignty. The proposition adj
vanced by some southern leaders to dis
franchise the negro, is untenabIe.
The reconstruction policy may have
been premature or unwlse, but It is too
late to discuss this now. Disfranchisement
wonld shock the conscience of mankind.
IL would be impossible Such revolutions
never go backward. No race has ever been
deprived of rights and prerogatives once
solemnly conferred. The experiment has
gone too far to be recalled. If the two
races are heterogeneous and can never be
come assimilated, then education. the ac-
iNtiSt1ACli VI PASE'Chtf anu lItill'tl
ment intensity, instead of diminish the
dangers. When you teach a man to
think, give him home and increase
his self respect, you render it impossible
to make him the unresisting victim of in
justice. Give him conscious power and he
will exert It, Ultimately, therefore, the
whites will be compelled to acquiesce or to
fight. the time will come when the ne
groes, aware of their strength and num-
bers, will insist upon theie equality under
the law, and then there viii be a crisis
which may become catastrophe.
There Is but one practical suggestion
that offers any present relief-that is,
national registration law, under which
every voter should he entered upon the
poll lists, and then have the elections held
under the control of supervisors appointed
Tor that purpose. This might not secure
fair elections. bnt 1t would afford the
means of ascertaining whether they
were Ialr or not. SO that congress
could act intelligently in decid-
ing whether contestants were entitled to
their seats in either house and in che
electoral college. The voluntary separa-
ton of the races is among the posslbIIi-
ties OF the near future / saw voluntary.
because the blacks have the same natural
and legal rights on this continent that the
whites have. They are natives and they are
cltlZeus. They have as much right to ask
the whites to retire, or TO segregate them
selves as the whites have TO request them
TO do SO. But the original environment
OF the African race WAS tropical and il
may be that on the southern shores OF tie
gulf. or the West India islands. or along
the lowlauds Of MeXico-regions friendly
TO the African biood-the enfranchised
millions under the protection Of the Uni
ted States, subjects OF its government and
full sharers in its citizenship. may vet ac-
their destiny and fulfill the
prophecy that Ethiopia shall stretch out
its hands to God and rejoice"