The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-08
SATURDAY, MARCH, s, 1890.


pAcF QUESTION CONVENTIONS.
Many months ago. before the questions IN
VOWED in the general subject Of negro emil
grafton had been fully discussed IN the
United states senate, in connection Win
,heh;l introduced by Mr. Butler, Of south
Carolina. THE rlAEs suggested that con-
vcntion Of delegates from all the Congress
sional districts n Virginia, North ana SCUM
Carolina. Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama
Mississippi. Arkansas, Louisiana ana lex
,s should assemble, 10 deliberate on the re-
lations Of our black population 70 the inter
,.sts Of these COmmonwealths, the evils
springine from the presence Of this popuia-
iion, the probability Of these evils beng
largely increased in the future ana
deemed iudicious 70 do so 70 recommend 70
the national government the ACCESSIBILITY Of
taking such steps as would lead 70 a us
tribution Of the negroes through those sec
tions Of the Union in which they are now
only found in very small numbers.
While no such convention has as yet
been held. nevertheless the principal pur-
nose which this convention, II II had met
would have accomplished, was practically
covered by the well-known bill OF Senator
Butler. under the terms Of which II was
proyided that Sj.0O0OoO should be appro-
priated out Of the national treasury TO
assist all negroes who wished 10 emigraie'
10 do 30 free Of every form Of expense 10
themselves. This bill has not, so far, be-
come a law, but it is only question OF
time before either this measure, or some
measure similar TO il, VIII be passed by
Congress in accordance with that senti-
ment. which such a convention as that
suggested would have done much TO formu-
late.
1t is now proposed TO call a convention Of
Northern men who have come 20 reside III
the South. and who have cast in their lot
permanently with its fortunes, with view
to obtaining the results Of their observation
and experiencc,as TO the wisest course that
can be pursued in settling the vered ques-
lions connected with the negro Of the South.
An expression Of opinion on their part as 10
the real attitude Of the Southern people 20
wards the cOlored race, and, in addition, as
70 the true character and condition Of that
race, would probably have considerable in
fuence in moulding the popular sentiment
Of the North on this subject.
II is not at all unlikely, however, that il
a convention Of this personal composition
were 10 come together and its proceedings
were 10 be entirely controlled by its mem
bers, all Of whom were men Of Northern an
tecedents, it would be found TO be far les'
temperate and conservative in word anC
act.than If il were entirely made up Of del
egates Of Southern birth. training and sen
timents. The most violent speeches anC
addresses i'm condemnation of the negro tina
have been delivered in the South have
come from men who have removed thither
after serving in the Federal army from The
beginning to the end Of the war, and afte
entertaining opinions Of the most heate'
partizanship in favor Of the colored PEG
ple inbabiting the Southern states. 1t il
a fact admitting of little dispute
that it is Just such men as these, whose origl
nallv unbiased feeling cannot be denied
who are most intolerant in their views O
our negro population, and most unjust AM
unforbearing in their general conduct 70
wards the individuals Of that population
and this, not from any unusual harshnes
in their own natures, but rather from tina
Impotence and hastiness in forming judg
ments 40 20 the negro, which are Away
observed in those whose good will toward
him is not fostered by early and prolonge
associations.
II would be clearly recognized at th
South az least, that the conclusions Of
convention Of delegates Of Northern antect
dents called together for the purpose named
would not be entitled intrinsically TO tn
same consideration as the conclusions tina
would be reached by similar convention
composed Of the very best representative
Of the white people Of the Southern states
But. nevertheless. there is little doubt tina
the conclusions of the former would carr
far more weight at the North, and for tina
reason. which is the only one which woul
Justify convention assembling az all,
would accomplish far more good
The Southern people are PRACTICAL
unanimous in their views on the yariou
details Of the race question. II the bill q
Senator Butler were dependent for its pas
sage exclusively on the votes Of represents
tives from the South, il would uudoubted
become a law. As il is, the lack Of enhghi
eminent on the part Of the great majority g
the Northern members OF Congress vii
cause il 10 be thrown out. The same ignC
rance that was displayed in the discussion
by the Senators from the North is shared B.
the Northern people as mass; and ther
seems 70 be every probability that they vii
remain In the same ignorance with referenc
10 the negro for q practically indefinite time
in spite Of The work Of the most disiuteresi
ed conventions, and, it may be added, il
spite Of the object lesson which will be fuI
nished ere long by the condition OF affair
in the.new communities Of Oklahoma terri
tory.