Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-11-21
THE RACE QUESTION.
A Striking View by a Representative Col
ored Southerner.

6CflK1ng view Dy h0pIoS6HtatlV6 OOl-
ored Southerner.
To the Editor of the World: On. W
While the situation at the South may
not be altogether such as we would
wish, there is nothing in it that could
possibly justify the retaliatory meas
ures advised by a gathering OF colored
preachers at Washington, D. c., on
Oct. 20.
There are three distinct causes of
irritation and disturbance at the south.
These are political, social and moral,
and the first is a greater source of evil
than all others combined. There can
be no satisfactory adjustment, no per-
manent peace between the two races at
the south, until the negro abandons
politics and bids farewell to political
glory in these states.
A persistent effort on the part of the
negro to attain that which he never can
attain will inevitably lead to conflict
the horrors of which are unimaginable.
1t is foregone conclusion that the
colored element can never become a
ruling class in any of these southern
states.
1t is unreasonable for the people of
the north to expect that Of the south
which they themselves do not accord
the negro. I say it is unreasonable for
any people to expect the wealth,
intelligence and refinement of COM
munity to yield passive obedience and
become submissive to the domination
of its ignorent and more illiterate class,
and so long as there is persistency in
this direction, encouraged by senprin-
cspled politicians for sinister motives, so
long will there be serious conflicts
between the two elements.
There is no prejudice here against
the negro in pursuing his own sub
stantial happiness in any legitimate
calling. There is no avenue of industry
shut against him in the south. There
is no desire on the part of the people to
keep him down, but they have rather,
in every instance, shown a sympathy
and feeling that ought to be COM
mended. Those fanatical leaders, pre-
tended preachers and politicians up
north who are trying to incite a con-
fiict between the races by advising
retaliatory measures are of all men the
greatest enemies of the colOred race.
For the few crumbs that fall from the
administration table they seem to be
willing to damn the whole negro race.
1t is one thing to sit up north and
howl for blood and attempt to incite
crime and murder, but it is quite
another thing to come down here and
inaug,lrate the proceedings they advise.
Whatever may be the disadvantages
under which the negroes labor in these
southern states they are brought about
by natural causes, and can never. no,
never, be remedied by force. These
disadvantages, so often spoken of, are
in fact more imaginary than real. 1
would venture to say that there are
fifty advantages in favor of the race
becoming prosperous and happy
where there is one to their detriment.
What disadvantages does the colored
man labor under in these states?
defy any man to show me single
unreasonable disadvantages he is
subjected to throughout the broad
extent of this southern land that any
other people would not be subjected to
who keep themselves poor and depend
ent upon more progressive and thrifty
race. Show me an honest, upright,
industrious cOlored man in any
southern community and I will show
you man who has no complaints to
make as to his treatment in that COM
munity. No colored man can say
truthfully that he is prevented and de-
barred from entering into any legiti-
mate business that white man may
engage in, on account of his race or
color. On the contrary, thousands are
assisted and encouraged in every honest
calling they have ever put their hands
to. The field is before them, and in
common they have the same chances
and opportunities, through frugality:
patient industry and economy, to be-
come prosperous and happy that their
white neighbors have.
In all the southern states there has
been every effort made for the colored
mans Improvement and advancement
to a higher plain of citizenship. Public
schools are open in every school district
in every county for his and his children 8
benefit, the expense of which is born
by another race without a murmer.
The whites freely give to all religious
and charitable undertakings; public
charity is never denied to any one
deserving 1t. No colored person is
| absolutely excluded from any place of
amusement if he or they desire to
attend and occupy places assigned
| them. On every street railway in
every southern city the colored man is
freely admitted without any objection.