New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-02

IL not too much TO say that the mass OF our
population nave not at all advanced beyond the
savage code Of morals. and have in many cases
sunk below IL deficient morality is the CREST
blot Of modern civilization. and the greatest
hindrance TO true progress"
We need not go far nom the region which Mr..
Bruce has been studying 20 find evidence In sup
port OF this. The county OF Logan. in West Viz.
ginin, is the abiding place OF the Hatlelds and
McCoys, whose bloody vende,tas have for years
shocked the whole country. There is region
inhabited altogether by white men, and these
white men exhibit a lnek Of moral sense lar
beyond anything that can be seen In the worst
negro communities. There is no crime. however
stroeious, which these savage mountaincers have
not committed within the past ten years. lct
no one will contend that the inhabitants OF what
has been called "Murdcrand" are incapable Of
progress. Moreover tbecc white men have all
the sihftlessneSs, incidence, uncleanliness, lack
OF pride In themselves, and want OF AMBITION
which Mr. Bruce regards as demonstrating the
hopelessness OF civiliaing the negro. We might
10 further and show that not many centuries ago
the white races which are now most civilized
were A backward as the Southern negroes Of TO-
dsy In all essentials, and what is perhaps still
more significant that their condition has been
practically stationary for long periods. How
long have the negroes been in n
position 70 improve themselves, on the other hand
Less than twenty-five years have elapsed since
the close OF the Rebellion end the first decade Of
that time was period Of confusion and expert
ment What race has there ever been capable
in SO short time Of rising above the influence
of thousands Of years Of savagery, concluded by
two centuries of slaveryp
The truth is that it is far too soon 20 Judge
the negro race, and that no safe differences can
DO drawn from its present position and super.
fcial tendencies. History and ethnology show
that the prolific races always in the end prove
the progressive ones. Backward races which do
not possess the stamina necessary to survival,
perish under contact with advanced peoples. But
the negro holds his own and multiplcS, and that
is q vital fact in the situation. In physical
strength and endurance he is tho equal OF the
white man. He has industry, patience, good
temper He adspts himself 10 the environment
Nothing, then, indicates the decadent type IN
him. No doubt there is much room for amend
meut in his morals; but cannot the same be sald
OF the most civilized peoplep Let US quote from
Mr.. Wallace once more: Compared VIII our
wondrous progress In physical science and It's
practical applications, our system OF government
Of administering justice, OF National education, and
our whole social and moral organization, remain
in a state Of barbsrism.T And what is his con-
cluson? Why, that " until there is more gen
eral recognition Of this failure OF our civillha-
tion-resulting mainly from our neglect to train
and develop more thoroughly the Smpatheuc
e.l,nes and moral faculties of our nature. and 70
allow them larger share OF influence in our legis-
lntiou, our commerce. and our whole social organi-
Ill rIa ba M
munity, attain to any real or important superb
GRITTY over the better class OF savsges.'
II must not be forgotten that slavery paraly1ed
the growth OF moral feelings in the negro In de-
stroyins his self-respect and responsibility, and IN
treating him as mere animal. II prohibited the
establishment Of those family relations which are
the root Of civilization. Marriage under 1t was
neither n sacrament nor contract; IL was
temporary arrangement, which might be broken
AZ any time without the consent or voiuon oil
either OF the principals Sexual license was
fustered by that system, which also bhGhted
every tendency toward independence ambition
and procress The negro has not outgrown the
influence OF slavery in one generation. Evolution
does not proceed by leaps and bounds. We agree
with Mr. Bru:e that Lurely black communities are
10 be viewed pith distrust, inaSmuch as CONTACT
with the hi.hes civilization must be the Quickest
and suress means Of advance for the the negro.
I,ut we believe thnt external circumstances, IN
dustrisL com nercial, agricultural and POLITICAL,
will interfere to check this tendency 10 isolation
before It has produced dangerous consequences;
and when we compare the present state OF the
plantation negro with that OF other races In the
same or similar STAGE Of growth. and take into
account the special hindrances which until 10
recently affected him, We are encouraged TO be-
lieye that II only justice and fair play are pre-
served TO him, he will in due time demonstrate no
less capacity for development, no less power
OF learning and growing mentally and morally
than those white and dark races which In the past
beginning as humbly. rose 70 the highest level
human civilization has attained