St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-13
THE RACE PROBLEM

OlSCuSSeu Dy NOrCnern Euu-
Gator Now Living in the South.
There was no topic discussed during
tue late educational convention which
excited more general interest or called
forth a larger attendance then the
''Race Problem" TWAS regretted that
Senator Blair was not present, and it
was furthermore regretted that free
discussion was not arranged for to fol-
low the papers read by Judge Gunby
and Prot. Price. These two gentlemen
handled the question in a mastery
manner and treated the subject in a
purely judicial style. Viewing the
question from opposite standpoints, the
marvel is that they should have so
nearly reached the same conclusions.
The public were anxious, however, to
hear from others who had equal opportu-
mites to study this subject, in order to
ascertain whether or not there is a gen.
eral concurrence of opinion as to the
availability of our educational standard
as the proper solution of this problem,
and for that reason there was some dis
appointment that members Of both
colOrs were not allowed the privilege of
free discussion. Among those whom
the GLOBE interviewed on the subject,
we select the statement given by Mrs.
Fl. K. Ingram, principal of the Duv al
high school, Jacksonville, Fla, because
it is perhaps as impartial and I'M
prejudiced as it is possible to get, for
reasons that are set forth in the inter-
view.
When asked for her opinion by the
GLOBE Mrs. Ingram said:
Il have some right to hearing on
this subject, as was born, brought up,
and educated in New York state. For
wears my nearest neighbors were the
ultimate friends Of Gerritt Smith, de-
vout followers of William Lloyd Gar
rison, and active officials in that mys-
ferrous transit line-the underground
railway.
Invent to the South before the war Of
sections and saw the genuine old planta-
ton life. was in the South during the
war. l have lived in the South ever
since it's close. l have seen the negro
as slave, soldier and citizen. have
had abundant opportunity for observa-
ton, and have studied him closely in
each character.
In the slave of the olden time 1 failed
to see the oppressed, depressed look of
the European peaSant-the European
peasant, whose step is without spring,
whose thin lips never part in song or
Jest, who never thinks of giving his arm
to woman except during his wedding
march, who never has thought of en-
tertalning the companion who walks or
works by his side. His lifelong duel
with the soil and the elements abSOrbs
every faculty and leaves him few ideas
and no life to express them. | saw the
Southern slave go forth to his work with
Jest and song, initiating and rivaling
the hooking bird above him. He was
gallant and gay to Dinah beside him,
making love lightly and jesting in
stinctively as he went to his work, and
whiStling as he returned. His laughter
came easily from wide-open throat, and
rang out over the cotton field and
above the rustling corn.
| heard none of the plaintive melo-
dies, with their pathetic. heart-break-
lug regrets for the "Old Kentucky
Home.' "'WaY Down in Ole Virginia"
"'Way Down in Tennessee" 1.-The
was in 1.-The Cold, Cold Ground" These
mournful ditties were never conceived,
and were never sung by the slaves of
the South. They were written, words
and music, by Stephen R. Foster, of
Pennsylvania, who never lived south of
Cincinnati, and who knew more of
melody and the Northern fancy than he
did of the Southern slave. They were
heard on the stage, but never at the
cabin door.
The truth is. the negro slave was
picturesque feature of our country. He
naturally attracted certain interest
from two cIasses-those whose sympa-
thies were easily touched by far-Off
woes, and those who find pleasure in
pointing out faults in men and meas
ures-a far easier thing, we will all
agree, than to suggest remedies. Many
people belonged to both classes. Hence
the negro slave became favorite theme
for poets. romancers and song makers,
but the negro of the Northern fiction
writer was about as true to nature as
CoOper's noble red man of the forest is
to the crafty, cruel. filthy Indian of
reality.
saw the negro a Happy, carefree,
careless peasant slave in little but
name. What do l see him now as a
freedman? The best dressed man on
the street; the most persistent and con-
slant patron of the street cars and liv-
cry stables. Every avenue of trade is
open to him. Many of our friends in
this section have never seen 100 col0red
people in one town at one time. Many
Intelligent thinkers have the freedmen
classified as BARRIERS. porters, hotel wait
ers and whitewashers. My dear read
ers. come to Jacksonville next winter,
and walk with me along Bay street. We
will enter shoe store. A white man
and colored man stand side by side
behind the counter. and it is a mere
chance which will bend forward and
ask us what is our wish to-day, and
will defy you to decide which does it
with the more persuasive and fiattering
courtesy. Come to the. oldest and
wealthiest drug store on the street, the
proprietor of which raised regiment Oh
the Southern side twenty years ago,
and present your prescription. A young
fellow. whose nair kinks to the skin,
and whose ewes shine like stars in a