Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-14
FLOR tho Dlspatch-l
The Race Problem.


This question forces itself upon the prompt,
calm. and earnest consideration OF the white
people-not alone OF the south. but OF the
whole country. 1t powerfully appeals, too,
TO the dis passionate reasoning OF the negroes
themselves. With the people OF the North
this whole subject is q mere matter OK theory,
but with VA OF the South-Doth whites aud
blacks-it Is unfortunately condition.
II negro slavery was an evil which we do
not consider northern whites are more re-
sponsible for its existence in the United
States than the people Of the South. Slave.
ships were fitted out In northern ports, car
goes Of human freight were secured on the
coast OF Africa God only knows how-and
sold without qualm OF conscience TO
southern planters. II is not 10 be doubted
that The good ship Msyfower, after landing
the Puritans at Plymouth Rock. was sent oy
her owners on "Pilgrim's Progress" to
the coast OF Guinea TO bring cargo OF slaves
10 James river. These reverend fathers OF
Puritan stock bad gum-elastic conscieDces
which permitted them 10 steal a negro IN the
"odor OF sanctIty (" and TO burn a witch in
the service OF God. They had a peculiar
knack Of serving God with the left ba1d and
the devil with the right-Vice versa, OF
course, when they were left-banded.
Well, the human traffic went on supported
tail the wear 1889. when the convention met
TO rstiiy and adopt the Constitution OF the
United States. The southern delegates In
that convention urgently demanded that q
,-jause should be inserted prohibiting the
further importation OF negroes, but there
was still "milk in the cocOanut,' aud the
northern members proposed and carried an
amendment iegdlizing tie traffic TIL 1908. SO
long as there was money in II, AVID as long as
they were permitted by law to import ne
groes and sell them In southern markets,
ibey promoted aud encouraged the irstitu'
ton OF slavery. But when this was no longer
possible they faced about and entered upon
an nti.slavery crusade that never ended till
they had, m ct arms, emancipated the ne
groes from the servitude In which they had
placed them. What damning depth OF in
iamy and shame Is this. First kidnapping
the moor negro on the shores OF Aires, SELL
ing BIN to the southern planter, and then
robbing him OF the article sold
But IL Is far from the intention OF the writer
10 complain OF the Liberation OF tae negroes
from a servitude that was less irksome to
them than 10 their owners. But our ciyilizs.
tiou, our social and political wellbeiug, aud
even our sef-preservatiou, are all seriously
menaced by the iI-adyised and untimely
enfrauchisement Of the negroes. This mea.
sure was conceived In iniquity and consum>
mated at time when passion and excite
mept had usurped the place OF reason. But
the dragons teeth have been sown and the
question presses upon us, "What shall the
harvest be?"
The white people OF the South bear no Ill
will towards the negroes. On the contrary
they have shown their good will by their
works. They have done everything In their
power TO advance their late slaves to 9
seif-reliant. useful, and independent exist
ence. We make the same provision for the
education OF bis children that we do for our
own. We have built and maintained at
heavy expense almshouses for tbeir helpless
poor and ssyums for their insane. But this
does not satisfy them. They aim al social
supremacy and political domination. Their
inyestiiure with the rights Of citizenship has
made them bold, presumptuous. and defiant.
Feai, not reverence, keeps their murderous
fingers from the white mans throat. Had
they the ability they would bring upon the
whole race OF southern whites a destruction
rs complete a. that which fell upon the host
OF Sennacherib.
This feeling Of intense hostility, instead OF
being softened by the efforts we are making
10 improve their condition. grows stronger
year by year. The relations between the
races are becoming strained and the time 10
not far distant when they will be intolera-
bic.
Sooner or later something will have 10 be
done 10 relieve the pressure. What shall
tha, something bei Two plans have sug-
gested themselves 10 nv mind, either OF
which think can be shown 10 be sminently
lust, humane, and practical But a. / koow
your space Is limited. will reserve for
future issue acontinuance Of this article.
McGRRGoR.