The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-30

Justice. Will the Puritan now discover
some religious theory to justify his denial
to the negro OF those rights so essential to
his happiness and necessary TO his ad-
vancement? The social prescription OF
the negro in Massachusetts, in tho face OF |
the gushing sentimentality proiessed Tor |
him. is worse than civil death 1t is per- !
petual torture to him. What consolation |
can he find in the fact that he can become
a minister of the gospel, ii no white con-
gregation will give him call, and II no
white preacher would dare TO atlront his
congregation by exchanging pulpits with
him, however eloquent divine he might
be? What encouragement is 1t to him
TO be told that he can become a
doctor when he knows that he
could not get beyond the kitchen
in n gentleman's house, however emf
ment his professional attainments That
he can become a lawyer, when the highest
distinction would not entitle him to the
slightest social rccognitionY That he can
become statesman, when no public ser
vice, however valuable to his country,
would open q single door TO himp From
the pulpit TO the skating rink, this social
ostracism pursucs him with a relentless
rgor, and drives him, like hunted beast,
into the lowest depths OF social degrade
ton, TO lead an almost purely animal lille,
without hope of any ameliorating change,
and with every noble aspiration Tor social
usefulness, social enjoyment, and social
dignity rudely suppressed by the con-
tempiuous arrogance OF those who preach
the doc ne OF equality.
One who had only specifically studied
the agitation Of the negro question In Mas
sachusctls, might be led Ia believe that
there was no prejudice against him in that
State. lie might expect to find that the
negro is there treated like any other mem
Der Of society; free 10 indulge in social in
tcrcourse; free 20 inlcrmaTy and free TO
associate in private and in public with the
white people Ii there is equality between
the two races, these Suggestions should not
shock society in Massachusetts,. The poo
pie Of France have never Extensively adj
ycriised their sympathy with the negro,
and have never lcciurcd o.hcr nations
about their unfair and unjust treatment oi
HIM. Yet even on the question OF inter
marriage, white society there has never
Disseminated against the negro. II he be
a gentleman, the negro from the French
islands OF the West Indies has always been
received in the fashionable salons Of tho
Faubourg 81. GERMAN in Paris, where
dwell the descendants OF the ancient no.
blcssc of France, n circle certainly ~ cx-
elusive and ~ aristotrnlic M ANY sbciety
in Boston. This negro from the French
West Indies. thus socially entertained, Is
the same kind Oi negro that We have IN
this country, for they were both plously
transported by Boston ship-owners FROM
the same country In Africa,
We have said enough to justify The
claim on the part Of the Southern people
for some consideration, some charity,
some indulgence from the political and
clerical ncgrophilists OF Massachusetts,.
They have wide field Of reform at home
When they shall have set the example Of
praclicing the Justice and Christian
brotherhood which they preach then We
may consent 90 listen 10 their denuncia-
tons OF those who refuse 10 initiate their
superior virtues.
The n,ro,s h VI on, an opp)rt unity
10 solve this race question. In 1891 tile
French National Convention passed the
memorable decree giving 20 the free pco-
pie Of color IN liayti the unlimited enjoy
mcnt oi all tho rights possessed by the
French citizens. immediately there was
an instruction OF the slaves.
The French Government, seeing what n
mcsa they had made Of this rnoc question,
| repealed tho decree, and thernupou the
ncgrus In lIayu proceeded 60 solve what
was To them white problem. in contrast
o. what u 10 us a negro problem. They
may,acrrd every man, woman and child
on the island Who did not succeed in TAX
ing refuge on tho ships then in the har-
Dor. They established their own govern.
mcnt, and today, according o. the law Of
lha black republic, not white man can
hold an Office or own q foot Of land. This
solution does not commend itself for is
humanity, hut Il shows that the negroes
firmly beloved In the doctrine that Ia ease
OF conflict one ot the two FACES must ALSO.
lately dominate.
Unfortunately Tor the two races, the re-.
construction policy sowcd seeds OF race
discofd aud nice amnesty which HAYS
borne lhoir legitimate fruit. That foul
bird ot prey, tho carpct-haggcr. for the
purpotc " robbing the southern people oi
tho remnant ol property left tn them by
tho most dcsolaiing war known ma history,
encouraged the dclulod negro TO believe
that the federal government intended that
hc should govern the white racc in the
south. The psult was that negro govern.
munts, which would have been disgrace
to third.raio mud village ON the bank,
ol the Nile, were established by political
frauds anl military force. Tho southern
white people determined that III,
torches OF Caucasian civilization should
not be cNtinguishcd. They over
throw thcsc scandalous government
in the Interest Of both races, iol
they represented nothing but political de
pfayily, personal tuupitudc aud public i'm
morality. II was an arduous aud brave
contest, Ia which the southern people OK
hibiicd civic virtues that ccliIscd thciI
military proves during the war. Til,
negro today has ovcry reason 10 know tina
under no circumstances will the whit,
people submit 10 his government and hii
domination. Tho negro can live, car
prosper aud can be- happy under n whit,
mans government, but white man ear
never and will never 10 either under no
gro government
This problem Is still far from bcin,
solved Our plain duty should be not /,
make lis solution moro difficult. We In
sisi that Il Is timo for tho northern
people 10 acknowledge that, mas
much NJ this mco question dircll,
Affects the interests tho civilization
AMI the destiny Of the southern people, 4
thom alone should be connlcd the tasl
aud responsibility Of solving H. To thcu
, II sa domestic aud home rule question
surprising In ~ importance and grayit
{ every national question. Tho southern
people never concern themselves abou
matters which ap of purely municipal cog
i niIance IN the north. Their political oil
ucation has taught them 20 rrapcct IN