The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1890-06-05
1Hn RACE PROBLEM.

What is the race problem as dis
cusSel Ivy the press Of the country
Is it the political differences that
exist be ween the whites and
blacks in the Southern States, Oh
is it question Of social equality ?
ii il is the first, and we believe
it is the political position held by
the negro as voter, which makes
him II bone OF contention, and a
danger TO white supremacy is what
constitutes The problem, more than
all else; and Judge FeEner is cor
rect when lie says:
There is platform upon which
the whites aud blacks of the South
can meet and live together in peace
and friendship. AS | am an hon
est man, | believe there is but one.
Here it IS: "G0vcrnment for the
Naturalization for the Black ;"
Which means that the mass Of
the bIa cks must give mp vOlun
tarily their right Of suffrage, and
rely upon their white friends for
protection in the pursuit of life and
properly, and let time work out
the trace problem" by fitting them
by education and bettered condi-
tons for the higher plain-the TAX
ing part in governmental affairs.
In Judge Fennrl's words:
Let the negro step boldly and
frankly Oh to This platform. Let
him ALLURE not the tight, bnt the
fact of suffrage. Let him say to
the whites Of the South: "YOn
say You are our friends; we wish 10
be yours. You say you demand
the right to govern This country;
we cannot deny your power TO so.
1ou say our voting menaceS yOnr
supremacy and makes you our enc
mics; We will stop voting. Take
the government. All we ask in
return is that our rights shall be
protected by equal laws, admins
tered by judges, and supported
and enforced by the resistless pow
er of public opinion"
The voluntary acceptance OF this
situation by the blacks, would be
far better for the peace and quiet
Of the whole country than forced
acceptance of it, but if they will
not voluntarily rrlinquish cir
rights they must be forced to do so
by The pass "a 6 6 ola law quail
flying suffrage which will Il is
the negro almost to
man, and such a law is advocated
by the very papers that refuse to
accept Judge Fenner's solution.
We say this problem is IA pO'iti-
al one, i'll it's present stage, rather
han q social or economical one, for
he reason that its social and eco
lomic aspect cannot be c0Olly and
lispaSsiOnarely considered, as long
rs he remains SO potent a factor in
,ur politics.
As a social question, we can only
zee its solution by two methods
absorption, or emigration; the first
We believe will be the only soIu>
ion. Sixty million Of Whites can
md will extinguiSh ten millions of
blacks, though this is the solution
ye most dislike of all, and haze to
contemplate. The second, emigra-
ion--nOt to the Northern or West
IN states but to another country,
o another continent, wOnld be the
'est, but we believe its impractical
lie.
The question for the statesmen
# the country, state and national
o consider, is how best
o remove the political stf4ns of
he negro. If lie could be iiiddced
o follow Judge Fenner's theory
md voluntarily abandon it, it would :
le best, ii he viii not, then devise
he best way by which he can be !
emOved from politics as a factor !
D the most quiet manner. but ,
emoge him from the political chess i,
'oaTd, and when he is removed the :
roblem will be more than half set i,
led, and the other half can be con- :
idered i'll a judicious manner. !