St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-08
The Southern Problem.

South has to deal at present and
the .Southerners, while they fully
realize the gravity of the situation,
do not seem to understand clearly
how to manage it. Americans as
class-North, South, East and West
are too apt to look upon leglsla-
ton as panacea for all the ills OF
life, and too often let fine sentiment
outweigh good common sense. The
people of the North waste great
deal of this fine sentiment on the
black man Of the South. TO be
sure they are very slow to admit
him into full and free social fellow
ship in their own homes, and should
he enter into general business COM
petition with the whites he would
undoubtly meet with a cool recep.
ton in every Northern State and
town. In fact there are so few col
ored people in the North that there
is no possibility of their croWding
the caucasians, and the latter can.
not appreciate the feelings of their
Southern brothers who are strug-
Cling to maintain their ground
against constantly increasing
danger of negro domination. We
doubt much if the Northern people,
should they be put to the test
would deal more patiently or wisely
with the problem of race supremacy
than have the men of the South,
but this is not saying that the latter
have been taultless. The South
erners saw, soon after the close OF
hostilities in 1865, that the rayages
made by war had so thinned their
ranks that it would be necessary
for them to stand by each other to
the bitter end in order to protect
themselves from being overpowered
by the recently liberated and en-
franchised slaves, who, having been
kept for generation after generation
in Ignorance and servitude, were
lily prepared to exercise their newly
acquired rights. Unfortunately,
however, the Southern people, in
stead of treating the matter as a
question of race, made it question
of politics. They looked upon all
Northerners as negro lovers and
enormously Judging that every per
sou who came from the North would
become an ally of the black man,
they frowned upon the Importation
Of Northern people and Northern
capital, and they often made it ex-
tremely uncomfortable, not to say
dangerous, for the immigrants who
sought a home in their midst. Thus
for wears the doors of the South
were practically closed to the peo-
pIe Of the North and the evil which
the Southerners sought to avert
grew stronger instead Of weaker.
The colored race increased nu.
mercially and advanced intellec-
tually, while the ranks OF the whites
were depleted by the desertion of
active young men who went forth
to seek their fortunes in the great
West, until in some of the States
the negroes have an actual ma
jority,
At last, however, the South has
begun to recognize the true state
Of affairs and it now gives a hearty
welcome to Northern men, North
ern enterprise and Northern capital.
There are left a few fanatics who
cry out against Yankee immigration
because some of the newcomers
may be Republicans, but the men
Of cool, common sence have learned
that it is not political question
with which they have to deal, but a
great social problem, and that
Northerners. no matter what may
be their political affiliations, are
still i'm favor of a white mans gov.
eminent. It is not in white human
nature to submit to the domination
Of any other color, and SO long as
this race problem exists the white
men of the South will be practically
solid as against the supremacy OF
the black man. They will grant him
the rights of life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness just SO long as
he keeps ont Of politics, but when
he attempts to grasp the relns OF
government there is sure to be
trouble. Whether this is right or
lust is not subject to be discussed
here. 1t is enough to know that
such is the existing state OF affairs
and that white men, whether they
are Southern born or Northern im-
migrants, will join forces on the
issue.
The hope of the South to-day is
in white immigration. There is no
better, brighter, Or more beautiful
spot on this green earth than is
presented by our Southern States.
Climate, soil, everything is in their
favor. Health, wealth and happi-
ness there awaits the Immigrant. |
Northern capital is needed to deve- |
lone the resources of the South, and /
it always finds safe and profitable
investment. Northern enterprise is /
needed to open new avenues OF
wealth, and it is sure to reap a
golden harvestin return. Northern /
Drawn and brain are wanted to as
sist Southern Drawn and brain in /
pushing that section Of our nation
to the front, and when the two come
TO understand each other they will |
work In unison for the common
good. The Southern problem is not
yet solved, but in tho tide of immi-
.srrafinn WHICH Is now setting from l