Evening journal., 1889-04-13
uNIFIcArIoN TAg wA1oHwoRD.
Mr. Frederick Douglass Talks of Hi.
Southern Trip.


Southern Trip.
The correspondent Qf the New York
Herald at ThomasvilIe, Ga, writes as
follows: Frederick K Douglass arrived
here from Florida to fiji an engagement
to lecture on self Made Men. / found
Mr.. Douglass in very pleasant mood
and ready to express himself upon what
he had seen on his trip South.
How have you been received in the
South by the wbitesY" | asked.
nAly reception has been almost always
courteous. / 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 so cruelty murdered in Arkansas for
! irving to investigate election frauds my
business took me to Little Rock. On my
arrival met a rebuff by being refused a
meal at the depot restaurant, but little
| later in the day | was received with great
courtesy ia the Senate Chamber and was
voted the privilege of the floor l natur-
ally forgot the slight of the small restau-
rant keeper.
PROGRESS OF THE COLoRED RACE.
"Are you satisfied with the progress of
your race since the war;"
Perfectly, | am amazed that it should
be so great. The truth is no people were
ever emancipated under more favorable
circumstances than the colored people of
the South When twenty million Russian
serfs were emancipated they were given
three acres each and supplied. But my
people were simply turned loose-not
emancipated and set up like freeman
but turned loose to starve miserably.
They were not freed in times of peace
and good feelings and by regular course
of law, but their shackles were burst
from them violently by war, and they
were set adrift to shift as they could
among their former masters, who were
naturally sore over defeat The wonder
to me is that they managed to live at all
but they have lived, multiplied and pro
gressed in all things which go to mak'
up substantial greatness. My heart is
warmed into gratitude when | trave
among them and see them so prosperous
and happy. .
Mr. Douglass grew animated whei
speaking of the trials Of his people sine
freedom.
THE SOUTHERN PROBLEM.
What about the Southern policy an,
the race problemY | inquired.
Il don't like either expression re
piled Mr.. Douglass. "There should b
no Southern policy or Western policy 0
; Northern policy, and there is no rae
problem All that is necessary to b
done is to live up to the Constitution
That win settle all questions. 1t re
! mains TO be seen if American civilization
! and manhood are equal to the task o
/ living up to what the people by thei
chosen representatives have sworn to dc
) | believe the people of America are tru
t enough and great enough to prove faith
/ full TO this great trust. 1t is not a ques
tion of social rights | have nothing to d
with that The civil rights are secured
, All minor questions will settle then
selves.
What about building up Republica
party among the whites in the South2'
4 The best way to do that is, for til
Republican party to do its duty so ths
law is impartially administered, and pr
/ good men in the public offices accordin
, to fitness. In distributing the publ
patronage, let Mr.. Harrison have but OF
object in view, and that Is fitness for IL
! place, regardless Of politics or race.
3 sEcTIoNALIsM DYING OUT.
do you think the sectionalism feelir
Q is dying out North and South?"
"Yes. rapidly In a few more years
t will be almost like the War of the Ros,
( in England. We viii not care which sit
our ancestors were on, so that we Al
: Americans. My belief can be put up /
+ one word-unifcation / believe in OF
t race, one policy and one nation. A
r things are tending in oneness. Consol
dation in nations and business is I'll
order of the day. Mr.. Calhoun was log
cal and Mr.. Webster was right. The
started from different premises, but Il
great principle of consolidation at wol
in the world settled the question, al
! now we are one great nation. The stat
of Germany and Italy have consolidate
No man is wise enough to see where tn
{ principle of consolidation is carrying Il
world.