The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-26


late to the race problem. and when they
are considered that problem will be the
subject of a great debate Both northern
and southern congressman are preparing
for it, and it is likely to occur at any time
after the holiday recess. A correspondent
of the Baltimore Sun interviewed sevaral
senators and number of prominent colorei
men in Washington day or two ago on the
race problem. The northern senators de-
clined to talk freely, saying that
they intended TO express their views
upon the floor of the Senate, and,
therefore, preferred not to di scuss the mat
ter in an interview. Democratic senat lrs
from the south, however, show no hesita-
tion in answering the questions asked them.
Senator Butler of South Carolina said
that for ten years or more he had been try
ing to find solution of the race problem,
and had finally come to tae conclusion that
in no way could il be solved so we'll as by
distributing large number of the blacks
among the northern and western states and
territories. If the south could get rid of a
part of her black population she would i'm
prove, he said, much more rapidly socially,
morally, and industrially, aud the blacks
themselves would be benefited, because those
who remained would have better chance
to get an education and good wages, and
those who emigrated would be thrown upon
their own resources, and would therefore
develop qualities necessary for them to have
IN order to be good citizens. There ara not
sufficient transportation facilities. he said,
to take them away fast enough to jeopar-
dizs the industrial interests of the south.
As fast as they emigrated their places would
be taken by white people, and the south,
therefore, would never feel the loss of them.
Senator Butler does not propose that the
blacks shall be forced to emigrate, but that
,ney shall be assisted in doing so, and that
the benefits that would accrue to them shall
be pointed out to them. Senator Hampton
agreed with Senator Butler. Indeed, both
senators said that they were in favor of any
plan that promised to afford the south the
relief that she needed. Senator Morgan
thought that the blacks would be far better
off in The free state of Congo than they are
here, and he introduced resolution into
the Senate recently looking TO the opening
of way for very considerable percentage
of them to get there. 1t is healthy coun-
try, possessing vast possibilities, and there
they could have every advantage that the
people OF any country have.
Ex-senator Bruce, colored man, ex-
pressed the opinion that two things would
settle the race problem, viz, education and
emigration. The general government, he
thought, should provide the means for both.
The south, in his opinion, is doing all she
can for the education of the blacks, and be-
fore more can be done the nation must lend
a helping hand. The ex-senator is satisfied
that there are O great many more blacks
in the south than are needed, and that for
the good Of the whites, AS we'll as the blacks,
the surplus should be got rid Of The
blacks are needed in the northern aud
western states, and there the surplus of
them should go. He declared emphatically
that he does not believe that there is any
danger of a race war, as the blacks know
they would come out second best in such a
contest, and, besides, they have no hatred
of the whites that would lead them to adopt
policy of violence.
Other prominent colored mon took pretty
much the same view OF the subject as that
expressed by ex-senator Bruce. They
would like to see movement of the sur
plus black population toward the north and
west. They would not like to see any of
the blacks sent out of the country against
their will, but they would like to see them
more evenly distributed over the entire
country.
There is no other question now pending
that is so important to the people of this
country as that relating to the races, and
even republican leaders will have to admit
that there isn't. They are beginning to I'M
derstand that settlement of the political
status of the blacks would not be
settlement of the race question. The two
races must always remain distinct One
cannot assimilate the other. Is it possible
for two races, utterly dissimilar, both free
and nearly equal in numbers, to occupy the
same territory without clashings Did any
section of country ever enjoy great and
continued prosperity under such conditions