The national leader., 1889-04-27

avenues of debate than during the
past and present year. Against him
have been marshalled the whole artil-
lery of science, philosophy. and history.
| We are not only confronted by open
foes. but we are assailed In the guise
of sympathy and friendship and pre-
sented as objects of pity.
The strong point made against the
negro and his cause is the statement
widely circulated and greatly relied
upon that no two people so different IN
race and color can live together in the
same country on level OF equal civil
and political rights and powers; that
nature herself has ordained that the
relations of TWO such races must be
that of domination and subjugation.
This old slave-holding Calhoun and
McDuffy doctrine. which we long ago
thought dead and buried, is revived in
unexpected quarters, and cOnfronts us
to-day as sternly as it did forty years
ago. Then it was employed as the
sure defence of slavery. Now it is
employed as a justification of the fraud
and violence by which colored men are
divested of their citizenship, and robbed
of their constitutional rights IN the
solid south.
To those who are hopefully assum-
ing that there Is no cause Of apprehen-
sion, that we are secure in the posses
sion of all that has been gained by the
war and by reconstruction l ask. What
means the universal and palpable con-
Germ manifested through all the
avenues of debate as to the future Of
the negro In this countryP For this
question meets us now at every turn.
Letters fairly pour upon me burdened
with this inquiry. Whence this
solicitude, or apparent sOlicitude? To
me the question has sinister meaning.
1t is prompted not so much by concern
for the welfare of the negro as by con.
slderatiOn of how his relation to the
American government may effect the
welfare and happiness of the American
people. The negro is now a member
of the body polite. This talk about
him implies that he is regarded as q
diseased member. 1t is wisely said by
physicians that any member of the
human body is in healthy condition
when it gives no occasion to think OF 1t.
The fact that the American people OF the
Caucasian race are continually think
ing of the negro, and never cease to
call attention to him, shows that his
relation to them Is felt to be abnormal
and unhealthy.
1 want the colored people of this
country to understand the true
character of the great race which rules,
and must rule and determine the des-
tiny of this republic. Justice and
magnanimity are elements Of American
character. They may do much for us.
But we are In no condition to depend
upon these qualities exclusively. De-
pend upon it. whenever the American
people shall become convinced that
they have gone too far In recognizing
the rights of the negro, they will find
some way to abridge those rights. The
negro is great, but the welfare of the
nation will be considered greater.
They will forget the negro's service in
the late war. They will forget his
loyalty to the republic. They will
forget the enmity Of the old slavehold-
ing class TO the government. They
will forget their solemn obligations of
friendship to the negro, and press to
their bosoms the white enemies of the
nation while they give the cold shoulder
to the black friends of the nation. Be
not deceived. History repeats itself.
The black man fought for American
independence. The negro's blood
mingled with the white mans blood
at Bunker Hill, and in State st, Boston.
But this sacrifice on his part won for
him only temporary applause. He was
returned to his former condition. He
fought bravely with Gen. Jackson at
New Orleans, but his reward was only
slavery and chains. These facts speak,
trumpet-tongued, Of the kind of peo-
pie with whom we have to deal, and
sterneSt.
POSSIBILITIES OF THE FUTURE.
have said that at no time has the
character of the negro been so gen.
orally and seriously discussed as now.
[ do not regard discussion as an evil in
itself. l regard it not as an enemy.
but as friend. 1t has served US we'll
at other times in our history, and |
hope it may serve US well at this time.
Controversy, whether of words or
blows, whether in the forum or on the
battle field, may help US. if we but
make the right use of it. We are not
TO be like dumb driven cattle in this
discussion, In this war of words and
conflicting theories. Our business Is to
answer back wisely, modestly, and yet
grandly.
While do not regard discussion as
an enemy cannot but deem 1t in this
instance as out of place and unfortu-
nate. 1t comes to US as surprise
and a bitter disappointment. 1t i'm
plies deplorable unrest and unsound-
ness in the public mind. 1t shows