The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1889-12-06
THE RACE QUESTION.
AZ Striking View BY a Representative
COIOred SOutherner.


John I. Shuften, of Florida, a lie.
gro who, by his own efforts, has ac-
quired an education and a profes-
sion which does him credit. The
text for his letter Is based on the
action of some negro preachers
who assembled at Washington in
October last and proposed the
doctrine of retaliation for The ne
gro, and he repudIateS entirely, by
intelligent argument, a single caGse
for such a proceeding, asserting
that the situation down here is no
problem and needs no solution.
The sentiments expressed by the
writer are, in our judgment, about
as sensible and fair as any yet ad-
vanced on this mooted subject, and
his advice is sound and practical.
The negro will do well 10 heed it.
The World editorially commends
the letter in the highest terms,
mentioaing the fact of the writer
being a college graduate, IA lawyer
and man who is able 10 think for
himself and his race, and regards
it as a remarkable paper on the
race question.
Following is The letter referred
10, which we hope will he read by
our readers, and especially by our
colnred friends
To the Edl or of the World:
While the situation at The South
may not be altogether such as we
would wish, there is nothing in il
that could possibly justify The re-
talialOry measures advised by a
gathering of cOlored preachers al
Washington, ID. c., on October
Goth. There are always two SIDES
to question. and until The rOlOred
race learns by hard and sad eXpe
rience where their true interests
lie, there will ever be unnecessary
troubles and disturbances in the
Southern States between the Two
races, and no power under the sun
can by force prevent it.
The situation down here needs
no solution for 1t is not a problem.
There is nothing wrapped up in
mystery, nor is there an unknown
something to he found in order TO
solve the question of our present
surroundings. The most ignorant,
us we'll as The most intelligent, un-
derstand the situation perfectly,
and each element seems to be de-
termined to pursue its own line OF
policy as the surest means of keep
ing up a disturbed condition of al
fairs in these States.
There are three distinct causes
of irritation and disturbance at lhe
South. These are political, social
and moral, and he fiISl is a greater
source of evil than all the others
combined. There can be no salts
factory adjustment, no permanent
peace between The Two races nj the |
South, until the negro abandohs
politics aid bids farewell TO pOlIt- !
ical glory IN these States.
A persistent effur on the part of |
the negro TO attain that which he |
never can attain will inevitably !
lead TO a conflict, the horrors OF |
which are rnlmaginable. 1t is a
fOregune conclusion that the color
ed element can never become "A
ruling class in any of these South
ern States, no matter how much |
they may predominaie IN numbers |
in white communities. Every pO-
!itical leader of The race knows
this TO be an undeniable fact Ii
is this relentless persisiency on the |
part of the one race 10 be, and the |
relentless persistency on the part |
of the other TO prevent it from be-
ing-and prevent il they will at all
cosl-lhat causes all the trouble.
1t is no use Ia deny these facts ;
1t would rather be wise if we would |
recognize them in time TO avert |
The evils that must follow every |
futile attempt IN that direction.
II is unreasonable for the people |
of the North TO expect that Of the |
people of The South which they !
themselves do not accord The me-
gro. / say il is unreasonable for
any people 10 expect the wealth,
intelligence and refinement, of a |
community to yield passive Obedi
ence aud become Submissive 10 The
domination of its ignorant aud 1
more Illiierate class, aud so long as 4
there Is a persistency in lhls direc.
tiOn, encouraged by unprincipled
politicians I, T sinister motives, so
long will there be serious conflicts
between the Two elements. / re
peat again as my honest convic-
tons that the negro must abandon
politics for time and strip him
self OF all delusive aud visionary
ideas OF political honor aud prefer
ment in these Stsles and turn his /
attention 10 those industrial pur-
suits that mark the prosperity and ]
prOgressiveness Of every other |
race aruund him.
There is no prejudice here against /
the negro IN pursuing his own sub /
stantial happiness in any legiI- J