Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-20
The Negroes Ultimatum.


The negro will be satisfied with nothing
less than what he regards as social equality.
To thl. be firmly believes be is entitled; OF
this he dreams both when he wakes ana
when he sleeps; for this be works day aud
night, in season and out OF season. Not all
negroes. Not many OF those OF "the old
isue,v but the leaders-the LANGsToSs, the
FRKD. DouGLAssEs, the DERRICKs, and all
those who belong to that class OF negroes
whose members form the public opinion OF
the inferior race.
We have recently published communica-
lions from some OF the foremost men In VIZ
ginia on this subject. They all, without ex-
ception, declare that the southern problem,
or negro problem, IS yet to be solved.
Nevertheless, there would seem TO be two
sides to the question. At any rate the Pc
tersburg Indsx.Appeal thinks 80, for 1t
makes fun OF the men who see trouble
abead, 70 grow out OF the presence OF MIL
lions Of negroes IN the southern States. We
have much respect for the opinions OF our
Petersburg contemporary. but we cannot
but fear that IL il mistaken In its estimate OF
the importance OF the negro problem, though
we would be ready to concur in that esti-
mate II we knew that the northern people
would leave It to the southern states to regu-
late their domestic seairs TO SUIT themselves.
1t is not tho negro Of the South that the
southern whites fear. II Is the negro OF the
South marching and voting and acting in
A. -
quote the Index-Appeal:
"Thcre Is an absurd, not TO say feisned,
terror in the minds OF some very worthy peo-
pie over the matter OF social equality be-
tween The races. There IL no foundation
whatever In reason for II. In fact there isno
such thing as social equality even among
members OF the white race. the gradations
~ TIE social scale being Us distinct and well
defined "a tbey ere IN the ranks Of the official
world A higher law than government can
impose rules these matters, and II the negro
were weak enough TO wish 20 invade the
charmed circle from which he is excluded
by custom. habit, or prejudice, he would be
repUlsed as promptly rs any white man
moving IN the humber orders OF society
would he expelled from the sristocrAtlc
sphere Of New York's 400, no matter bow
many laws Congress might pass. But the
negro has given no evidence OF a desire TOT
social equality, and the danger from this d.
rection is wholly imaginary and frivolous"
What our Petersburg neiThbor says is
true The social question which he has IN
mind will regulate itself. But be knows as
well 40 any body else that there Is science
OF sociology, which includes many things
besides the social circle. II Is not social
-, hat ha
whites fear. 1t is the social Generalization
that would result from putting negroes into
Official positions and public pisces where
they would acquire more or less influence
over men Of the superior race. Let us Illus
trate: Willis the Mahoneites were in power
in this State two negroes were appointed
trustees OF the public schools OF this city.
These two negroes in virtue OF their Office
had voice In electing the white teachers,
nale and female. and the right to sit In con-
AMBIGUOUS positions IN the Theatre to witness
the closing exercises OF the High School,
land Of course thoss OF all the other schooIs.)
Indeed, 1t was their duty to oversee the
white teachers and pupils OF both
sexes 1t was shameful, disgraceful
degradation OF the Office OF trustee,
and an objectionable outrage upon
the whites. II caused a consuming indigna-
ton IN this city and throughout the State
Thirteen white preachers voted at one pre-
einct In this city In 1888 against the men
who had been guilty Of this intolersble deed.
This is compulsory social equality. IL Ia
Good illnstra.ion Of the difference between
the kind Of social equality Of which the In
dex.Appeal writes, and the kind OF social
equality which 80 many southern people
dread. We could give numerous illustra.
tons OF a similar nature. But 1t is unne-
cessary. Surely our Petersburg contempo-
rary Is siraid Of this sort OF social equality.
AS certain 1t is a. that the sun Is shining to-
day that nothing less than this wall ever sat-
isfy the negro.