Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-04-18
Pred Douglass on The Race and Bee
ttcnal Qukationa.

Recently the once fugitive slave has
been In the South. While at Thomas
vile, Georgia, he was interviewed by a
newspaper reporter. Being asked II he
was satisfied with the progress Of his
race since the war, Mr.. Douglass replied +:
l. Perfectly, I am amazed that it should be
20 great The truth is, no Deopl. we're ever
.n zncipate.i under more unfzvorsble cir
cumstAnces than the colored people Of the
South. When z0,G00,GO0 Russian serfs
we're eus cipated they wers given three
acres sseb ard supplied Bat my people
we're simply turned loose, not emsneipared
and sst up to live like free men. bat turned
loose to stsrve miserzbiy. They were not
freed 10 time Of peace AID good feeling and
by regular course Of Las, but their shaeklss
we're burst from them violently by Law, and
they we're set adrift to shift a. they could
among their former masters, who we're
natarally sore over defeat. The wonder to
me is that they managed 70 live at all, but
they have lived, multiplied and progressed
In all things to make up substantial great
ness. Ny heart is warmed into gratitude
when I travel among them and see them
20 PROSPEROUS and happy Mr.. Douglass
rev animated when .peakiDs of the trials
II hi. people since freedom.
What abont the Southern policy and the
race proolemy" vas asked.
Il don't ike either expression" replied
Mr. Douglas. There should be no South
ern policy or Western or Northern policy
and there is no race problem All that 10
necessary 10 be done is q live up to the con
.iitution. That will settle all questions. IL
remains 10 be seen il American civilization
and manhood are equal TO the task Of living
up to hat the people, by their chosen repre-
e. ntatives. have sworn TO do. | believe the
people Of America are true EFF ough and great
enough To prove faithful to This great trust
II i- not a question Of social rights. | have
nothing to do ~ith that. The civil rights are
secured. All minor questions will settle
the mselves."
"Do you think the sectional feeling is dy
ing out North and Southt"
Yes, rapidly. In few more years il will
be almost like the War Of the Roses in Eng
land. We will not care which side our an
&c tors were on, so that We are Americans
NV belief can be put up in one word-unit
cation. | believe in one race. one policy
and one nation. Nj things are tending to one
ness Consolidation in nations and business
il the order Of the day. Mr.. Calhoun vas
logical, and Mr. Webster was right. They
| started from d fferent premises, but the great
principle of consolidation at work in the
world settled the question. and now We are
ore great nation The States of Germany
and Italy have consolidated. No man is wise
enough to where this principle of conso.
idaiion is carrying the world.
Like Horace Greeley ami Daniel Webster
Mr. Duuvln-s may NOT always be A corre,I
judge Of public men and has sometimes
UNIV isely given his confidence, but he /.
a good reader of history and knows how
to interpret events and central facts. Hi
views of the race and sectional issues ii
this country may be rather more hopeful
than the present condition of things seen
TO warrant. bat they are interesting ant
valuable.