The Portland daily press., 1889-04-12
WONDERS THAT THEY LIVED AT ALL.
Fred Douglass on the Condition OF
the EnfranchIsed Negroes.
Considering the unfavorabIe Cir
cumstances OF Emancipation,
Ne Is Amazed at the Progress Which
They Have Made.

THoMAsv1LLE, Ca. April 1I.-Mr. Fred
Douglass arrived here from Florida yes
tsrday and was interviewed by q reporter.
Being asked II he was satisfied with the
progress Of his race since the war. Mr..
Douglass replied: Perfectly, am amazed
that 1t should be so great. Ths truth Is. no
people were ever emancipated under more IA
yorable circumstances than the colored peo-
pie Of the South. When 100000 Russian
serfs were emancipated they were given
three acres each and supplied. but my peo-
pie were simply turned loose, not emanei-
pated and set up TO live like free men. but
turned loose to starve miserably. They
were not freed In times Of peace and good
feeling and by regular course Of law, but
their shackles were bust from them violent
ly 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 20 TO make up
substantial greatness. My heart Is warmed
into gratitude when travel among them and
see them so prosperous and happy" Mr.
Douglass grew animated when speaking OF
the trials Of his people since freedom.
what about the Southern policy and the
race problem ?" was asked.
II don't like either expression" replied
Mr.. Douglass. There should be no South
ern policy or Western or Northern policy,
and there Is no race problem. All that Is
necessary 10 be done Is to live up to the Con-
stitution. That will settle all questions. IL
remains to be seen II American civilization
and manhood are equal TO the task OF living
up TO what the people. by their chosen rep
resentatiyes, have sworn to do. / believe
the people Of America are true enough and
great enough to prove faithful 10 this trust.
1t Is not question OF social rights. 10 has
ara secured. All minor questions will settle
themselves"
What about building up a Republican
party among the whites In the South?"
The best way TO do that Is for the Re
Pablican party 70 DO Its duty 50
and put good men IN the public
Offices according TO fitness. In distributing
the public patronage, lest Mr.. Harrison have
but one object In view, and that Is fitness for
the place. regardless OF politics or race"
do you think the sectional feeling Is dy-
ing out North and South?"
"Yes, rapidly. In a few more years Il will
be almost Ike the War Of the Roses In Eng
land. We win not care which side our anees-
tors were on, so that we are Americans. My
belief can be put up in one word unifca-
tion. believe In one race, one policy and
one nation. All things are tending 10 one
ness. Consolidation In nations and business
Is the order Of the day. Mr.. Calhoun was
logical, and Mr.. Webster was right. They
started from different premises, but the
great principle of consolidation at work In
the world settled the question, and now we
are one great nation. The States Of Germa-
ny and Italy are consolidated. No man Is
wise enough TO see where this principle OF
consolidation Is carrying the world"