Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-03-01
TIE NEGRO PROBLEM.

THE NEGRO PROBLEM
The American Republic has passed
through various crises since its establish
ment and some OF them during its juvenile
state. Scarcely had Washington entered
upon his first term in the Presidential chair
before he had to exercise the painful duty
of dismissing M. Genet, the French Minis
ter, for efforts to induce American citizens
to assist France in its war with England.
President Madison sent home British
Minister for similar misconduct This pre-
rogative was repeated during the Admins
tration of President Fillmore. So that the
recent discharge OF Lord Sackvile was only
necessary repetition of diplomatic history
In 1874 Washington subdued by force of
arms what was called the "Whskey Re-
belion" in Western Pennsylvania. South
Carolina menaccd Jackson's Administra-
ton with notification, as did the Hartford
Convention in the East, that of Madison in
1874. The civil War in 1860 is yet familiar
to many, but the power Of the government
was equal to every emergency, and the Re.
public remains in tact as a monument of
power before the civilized world.
But now the free citizens of this country
are threatened with what is called the
NEGRO Problem" This is not mere fancy
problem, but veritable issue before whole
people, of all parties, and of all interests.
Manumission did not settle this vexed ques
ton, but followed as 1t was by the en-
dowment to vote without an educational
or property qualification, was only the
budding of harvest Of bitter fruits To fol
low.
The North as well as the South, Demo
Gratis and Republicans will he compelled to
look this hldeous prospect squarey in the
lace. Grave Senator's North of the Poto
mac, need not go South to supervise the
elective franchise. They may find as much
work at home, in the factories of the East,
and in the deep mines Of Pennsylvania and
the West, as they can well manage. AS "a
matter of fact the blacks are not now and
never were oppressed and controlled as
those mining lords and factory masters
tread down, rule and vote their laborers in
their employ. But tho negro will now de-
mand what he believes to be his rights.
The clamor of their leaders, as indicated by
the Occupations to the Presidenteect, show
that subordinate official positions will no
longer meet their full expectations. Equali-
ty-social civil, political and religious-is
what they aim for.
Now the question arises, must ethnology,
physiology, color and all the physical distinc
tons made by nature and natures God be
set at naught for the purpose of holding q
piebald government which would be con.
, tinually embarrassed by chickering's, violence
and war? The sentiment of the late Stephen
A. Douglas, that "this is white mans gov
ernment" is doubtless the sentiment of the
whites universally, but II is not the senti-
ment of the colored race. They aspire to
recognition not only for subordinate places,
but in the Presidential chair, in the Supreme
Court, in both halls of Congress, at state
dinners, and public and social receptions.
And it must be conceded that the elective
franchise, inconsidcrately given them, with
ont any restraining qualifications, entities
them TO all these possibilities. But can they
hive all these? They must to some extent
be officially recognized, but can this govern.
ment ever be officially an equal admixturc
of white and black Is il not as plain as the
MONDAY sunlight that one race or the other
must rule. and who doubts that the whites
must predominant.
Coull this country afford to have col.
ored President? Would the officers of the
Could ncgress be the first lady of the
White House. would the wives Of cabinet
officials meet her on terms OF social equality
Unless the Anglo Americans have lost their
manhood this could never be!
Then let the politicians of all sections
pause and study the outlook. Give to the
negro all the rights and privileges which
he can use and enjoy without endangering
the integrity of the Republic. and If he is
not satisfied with this rich boon let him
60 where he can have Il government exclu
sively of and for his race.
The startling fact that very large in
crease Of the colored population Is tn be
found ia the Northern and Western States,
ought 10 wake up Northern politicians.
They will find an elephant at their doors
in the near future. The South would be
willing 20 be rid of this disturbing element
at any time. In word the NEGRO Prob
,.,n,,, 10 a ,,rs,hlor, for all sactions and M. m
statesmen will discern the evil and legislate
Ia avoid IT,
Since the above was written the subjoined
extract from speech Of Gov. Fitzhugh Lee
made in New York on Friday night last
has come under our notice. Emanating from
so distinguished u source, and not alto.
gether foreign to the channel in which we
have been writing, we gladly append it:
"rhe New York southern society had its
third annual dinner last night at the Hotel
Brunswick The toast, The South since
The Revolution, was responded TO by Gen.
Fiizhugh Lee, who said the South had
right to secede. The matter was, however,
settled by the sword But the settlement
OF the question left another. In my own
State, said the Governor, there exists no
OtucI tuDuyQt tudn tuhb hLc oildil COutiuuc
IA member OF the American union of States
and enjoy the same equality as the States
of Massachusetts and Ohio II remained
with the North 10 decide whether the ma
tioLal Improvement and prosperity can best
be promoted by union OF American white
governed States or white American through
African sections in the great whole. The
whole thing depended upon the South be.
ing recognized Us white governed portion,
aud that there shall exist no African sover-
eighty. We do not care to take the toma-
hawk from the red man and give it to the
negro. We have provided for the negro,
bulit homes and schools tor him, and given
him all his condition requires, but when it
hecomes question whether those States are
Ia be governed by blacks or whites l say,
the governor exclaimed, we want white
government