St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-04-11
The Race Problem.
Philadelphia RecoTd.

Philadelphia Record.
The adjustment of the relations of the
white and colored races in this country
has made very little progress since the
war. Education has been upheld as the
preliminary panacea, while assimilation
has been discussed as the ultimate
means. From England, where all Afri-
can is a comparative rarity, there comes
an abundance Of advice upon the sub
iect; but all these suggestions take no
heed of the practical difficulties that
stand in the way.
1t does not require any further per-
suasiOn than a common interest to IN
duce the white men and the colored
men of the South to cooperate on pub
lie questions, the merits of which may
be compassed by an average lntelll-
gence. Freedom of action has done
something toward bringing the races to
a political level. But the social separa-
ton is, if anything, more strongly de-
fined than ever.
The white men Of the South assert
that the white woman is the highest
embodiment OF our modern civilization.
They assert that this product is the re-
suit of centuries of effort, and that the
race problem in the South cannot be
solved until the colored people shall
have gone through a similar refining
process, and brought forth equally sat
isfactoIy results.
1t may possibly be doubted whether
there is not an initial difference between
a Caucasian and an African savage as
great as the final difference may be when
education and civilization shall have
done their utmost for both. The prob
lem, however, is an interesting one,
particularly for the people of the
United States.
Shreveport Caucasian.
The race problem will settle itself
Had it not been for the intolerant and
malevolent influence of tile jackals of
the New England states, the negro
would have been spared much dlscOm-
fort which he experienced after being
invested with the rights and privileges
of American citizenship.
The negyO's best friend is the South
ern white man, WHO is familiar with the
trailties and Inconsistencies OF his na
ture.
The negro in the South is receiving
all the advantages conferred by educa
ton, supplied through the taxable prop
erty of the Caucasian race, and contrib
utes very little to the support OF the
government. He is a dependent crea-
tule, and without the elevating effect
and impression of contact with the
whites whom he attempts to initiate,
he would soon lapse into African bar
barism.
The comparative rarity of the negro
in New England, coupled with the sec
tional teachings and writings of Puri-
tan demagogues have been detrimental
to the progress of the race. But with
all their doctrines of Brothelly Love
and Equality, the Negroes opportunity
in New England is not as good as it is
in the South, and never shall be.
1t matters not by what refining pro-
cess the negro may be improved, he can
never be equal to the Caucasian. For
centuries he has been a negro and will
remain negro until the end OF the
world.
In the South the negro enjoys privi-
leges unknown to him in the North.
In sickness and distress he is always as
sured the sympathy and assistance of
his white friends, but neither ednca-
ton, moral or social influences can ever
elevate the African to the level of the
Caucasian race. By the laws of nature
the Caucasian is the superior, and shall
ever rule, socially, morally and politi-
callY.