Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-22
THE NEGRO'S FUTURE.
Senator Sherman Explains Some OF the
Int1icaoies Of the Problem.

! WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator Sherman
was this evening serenaded at his home IN
| Franklin square by the recently organized
John Sherman Republican League(coioredJ
of the District Of Columbia. An address
on behalf of the league was read and pre-
scented by the president, thanking the SEN
ator for his great and unremitting services
on behalf of the colored people. They pro-
tested against the recognition of protec-
ton Democrats in the south by their ele-
walton to high offices under the incoming
administration and called upon the Amer
lean people to protect their brothers in GER
tain section in the south in the exercise of
their constitutional rights as free men.
Senator Sherman, in response, said:
THE problem of securing to you
the peaceful enjoyment of equal
rights and privileges Is the most
difficult one in American politics.
| have taken part in all the measures that
have brought about the great change IN
your condition, the most remarkable IN
modern history. ! have no regrets for
anything have done to emanclpate YOU,
educate You and to clothe you with all the
/ legal rights of American citizens SO far
as the constitution and laws of our coun-
try can do it. you now stand before me in
vested with every right of freemen. In all
the northern states, IN some of the south
ern states, they are freely conceded and
openly enjoyed by you. If, in some of the
southern states, these rights are denied to
you. you must remember and make allow
ances for the opinions and prejudiceS of
ages and for your enforced ignorance, the
necessary result of slavery. But
il Is now certain that these
prejudices will disappear as you acquire
education and property, and that you can
win by your moderation and good conduct
the respect and confidence of those who
held you or your ancestors as slaves. II
you suffer injustice under the shadow of
the past, remember that never before in
human history did an emancipated race or
class make such progress in SO short
time as you have done"
Senator Sherman expressed the hope
and belief that the next congress would
pass a uniform election law to secure to
every man his right to vote and have that
vote counted, but he warned them that
congress could not interfere in local cleo
TONS \ state, or part OF the people OF
state, may do injustice to us as citizens,
but this does not authorize congress to in
terpoSe military force. Ii injustice is done
you must not resort to mob violence or
crime, but appeal to the law and
public opinion. In any resort to
force, the advantage is fearfully against
you. Your hope is in the moral convic-
ton, growing stronger day by day, that
injustice To you reacts on your oppreSsors.
1t was for them, the speaker said, to show
the untruth of the charge that they were
not fitted for the duties of citizenship, and
in these states where they were numerous,
they would establish negro rule and en-
danger civilization. In conclusion, he
said their labor was the most valuable
commodity of the south, and would IN
time demand for them comfort. home, in
dependence and civil and political rights