The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-23

We have always contended in spirit of
sincere good humor that human nature was
pretty much the same at the North as il is at
the South, and that in moral questions in
volving the characters of the people Of the
two sections Mason and Dixon's line was as
imaginary as line drawn around the face Of
the moon. Incidents are constantly occurring
in the Northern States which confirm the
correctness OF the Biblical account of the
common descent of all men, fact which inn
parts to them, independently of sectional
divisions similar passions and similar repug-
nances. Our Republican compatriots at the
North, while admitting that they derive their
origin from Adam just q, we DO, have been
disposed 10 assert that they are exempt from
certain failings Of humanity which they claim
distinguish us in a remarkable degree. They
have been particularly inclined TO charge US
with love of street brawis, with Indifference
to human life with too great lsxness in the
punishment of murderers. In all these in
stances their attitude has been invariably
that Of men who are constantly exolsiming
With the utmost sincerity 10 their neighboTs.
] nm holier than thou.
But the yohemence with which they enter
tain this phnriSaical feeling IS never 30 great
as when they reproach the Southern people
for their treatment Of the negro. holding up
the North as a model Of Justice and impair
TALLY towards the race, worthy Of Southern
imitation. Unfortunately. we have very good
reason to believe that the conduct Of the
- Ia 10 is
more generous and much more kind than
that OF our Northern brothers. Take an in
stance which is now Geitating the minds of
the Republican officials Of Chicago
OF the eeyenty- five FIRE companies Of that
city one is composed entirely Of colored men.
who II reports be correct, have been asactiye
and efficient as their white associates on the
same force. Would it not DO entirely proper
that this colorod company should DO COM
mandod by one OF their own race? In the
South there would not re the slightest obiec-
ton 70 50 natural an arrangement Under the
Republican administration of tie affairs of
Chicago, there has been a positive refusal 10
appo,nt any ono but white man TO tho posi-
ton. One Of the members OF the colored
company was selected to interview the two
leading Republican officials. Mayor Wash
burne and Superintendent Sweenie. in turn
declined to acccdo 10 his reasonable demands.
and he was forced 10 report to his company
that their request would never receive IN
affirmative answer.
The Inter-Ocean candidly admits that Mr..
Washburne, who is son Of the late Elihu
Washburne. a pronounced Abolitionist before
the war and Mr.. Sweenie are allowing mere
race prejudice to interfere i'll their re-
fusal to make tho appointment which Is
sought. Not only should the appointment
be made" remarks the Inter-Oc but IL
should be made with the same promptness as
il would have been if tie request had como
from Irish and German voters"
We commend this sentence tc the attention
Of all Of our Northern contemporaries who
sincerely believe that the North is lust and
the South unjust in their relations to the ne
gro. This Chicago instance goes 10 show that
tho most illiberal spirit towards the colored
people is to be found in the Northern States
and not in the Southern.