The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-17
DOUGLAS IN THE SOUTH.
THE coLoRED LEADER SPEAKS OF
HIS COURTEOUS RECEPTION.
Satisfied with the Progress OF His Race
He Doesn't Believe Negroes Should
Be Appointed to once on Account of
Color

Fred Douglas, the colored leader, is in
Georgia. lie was interviewed at Thomas
yillo by correspondent Of the Atlanta
Constitution. Concerning his reception In
the South he said:
"My reception has been almost court
eous. | am no stranger TO the Southern
people, and have no trouble in getting on
with the better element of the whites. To
illustrate. When Phillips was 80 cruelty
murdered in Arkansas for trying to inves-
tigate election frauds, my business took
me to Little Rock On my arrival met
rebuff by being refused meal at depot
restaurant But little later In the day |
was received with great courtesy in the
Senate chamber, and voted the privilege OF
the floor. naturally forgot the slight OF
the small restaurant keeper"
care you satisfied with the progress OF
your race since the WARP
Perfectly. am amazed that II should
| be 80 great. The truth Is no people were
| ever emancipated under more uniavorable
circumstances than the colored people OF
tho South. The lsraeites were told 10
|
| borrow and have made good borrowers
ever since. When 20,0O0000 Russian
| seris were emancipated they were given
three acres each and supplies, but
my people were simply turned loose; not
omancipaied and set up 10 live like free
men, but turned loose 10 starye miserably.
They were not freed In times Of peace and
good feeling, and by regular course OF law,
but their shacklcs were burst from them
violently by war, and they were SGT adrilt
TO shift as they could among their former
masters, who were naturally sore over de-
feat The wonder TO me Is that they
managed to live at all. But they have
lived and thrived, multiplied and pro-
crossed, in all things which 80 10 make
up substantial greatness. My heart ~
warmed with gratitude when / travel
among them and see them 30 prosperous
and happy"
"what about the Southern policy and
the race problem2"
81 don't like either expression" replied
Douglas. "Thcre should be no Southern
policy or Western policy or Northern pol
icy, and there is no race problem. All
that Is necessary 10 be done is 10 live up 10
the Constitution. That will settle all ques-
tons II remains 10 DO seen II American
civilization and manhood are equal TO tho
task of living up 10 what tho people, by
their chosen representatives have sworn
TO do. | believe the people Of America
arc true enough and great enough TO prove
faithful TO this great trust IL Is not n
question Of social rights. | have nothing
10 do with that. III civil rights arc secured
all minor questions will settle themselves. /"
"What about building up Republican
party among the whites in the South2"
"1he best way TO do that is for the Re
publican party TO do its duty, see that the
law Is impartially administered, and put
! good men into the public Offices according
to fitness. la distributing the public pat
ronagc let Mr.. Harrison have but one OBJ
| jcct in view, and that is fitness for tho
| place, regardless OF politics or race"
"Do YOU think the sectional feeling Is
| dying out North and South2'
| Eyes, rapidly. In "A few moro years II
| will be almost like the war Of the roscs In
England. We will not care which side
our ancestors were on. 10 are Americans.
expect TO lecture tonight and must spare
myself"
''You talk WE'LL" replied the reporter,
"and most people who talk we'll love TO
talk"
"well." continued Mr.. Douglas, my
belief eau be put up in one word-uni.
iication. / believe In one race, one policy
and one Nation. All things are tending 10
oneness. Consolidation In Nations and
business Il the order OF the day. Mr.,
Calhoun was logical and Mr. Webster wa,
right They started from different prom
iscs, but tho great principle OF consolida
ton at work In the world settled the qucs
1 ton, and now we are a great Nation. Th'
States Of Germany and Italy have CONSOLE
, dated. Once there were free cities an,
, many smaller principalitios and govern
/ menis. No man IL wise enough 10 se
that this principle Of consolidation Is car
4 rying the world"