The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-07
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 7. 1890.


Senator Bruce is q brightmulstto'
.u;,h hair a. straight as Caucasian 9
il reunited to be man Of ability ana
o,or,cter and ia only classed with inc
,.orse. through a small infusion OF
Afr,can blood. AS far as is known he
ba. ALWAYS borne himself with pro
nrietv and dignity. and his political
cours, has BEEN marked by exceptional
moderation when we consider his race
afinities.
In b.srecent interview with the Pres
idept he is said to have suggested the
education Of the negro as the true solu-
ton Of tho race problem, and the latter
!. represented aslisteDing with interest
but maintaining the reticence OF hi'
somewhat infertile mind.
The opinion Of one who Is probably
the highest type Of his race IN this
country. is entitled to confederation
but we regard his panscea ssutterly IN
aSaouate TO the cure Of the ills to be
reached. Nor do we think that the
4 ficulty ia to be found in the lingering
nreindices Of old Shareholders, or the
ipcurable arrogance. 40 we'll described
bv Dir. Ingalls,. Of the Anglo.S Saxon
when brought in contact with inferior
races. whether represented by the
African. by tho ryot on the Gsnge''
or the yellow Chinaman from the
banks OF the Hoang Ito.
Il is true that no subimated views oil
the equality OF all men, whether social
or political, can break down the bar
riers of this prejudice, and human laws
only aggravats it when they attempt to
enforce an equality which is repugnant
70 the ineradicable instincts Of nature
it,elf. aud il is this very attempt which
is plscing such gulf between the two
racs, that their blood no longer inter
1ningles.
These relations, however, have not
TINS far interfered with the education
Of the Negro. and it is we'll for US to
know and TO remember what education
has accomplished for him. Lockos
image Of sheet Of white paper on
which education could write every
thing at will. probably applies to no
race. and certainly not to the African.
The brain capacity of different races dii-
ers as widely as their physics peculari-
ties and when the pure negro has master
cd the simple elements Of reading. writ
ing and arithmetic, and completely OF
thought is required for further ad-
vance. with very few exceptions, he
b,lks ike an overloaded horse at the
foot of hill. If this is not true, why
IA il that he has accomplished nothing
an the field Of thought: nothing in ait
but the rudest drawings, and nothing
in war but the achievements Of bar
barian. and how then 10 his education
to lit him up to the level Of the Anglo
Saxon. and thus solve the race pro-
blem?
His education. such as it is. has i'm
posed severe burden on the prop
ertv-holders Of Virginia, and his
small modicum of that danger
ous thing, little learning, has
been won at fearful cost to others
than himself. The school-house has in
no way taken from him firm belief in
ghosts and necromancy. lie often goes
1, his death with the conviction that he
has been tricked. and is some times
saved when at tho last gasp, by the
trick doctor, who relieves him of copju-
ration.
The dream OF sentimentalisls OF
higher culture for this man and
brother would seem to be q baseless
fabric. and when it ia added that with
a school house in every neighborhood,
his decline from virtue, morality and
u'efulnees has been steady and unim-
peded since the transition OF his race
from slavery, despair Inay well be en-
t,r,ained as TO whether any benefcent
results Will flow from bis education.