The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-18
THE ABSORBING QUESTION.
EXHAUSTIVE DISCUSSION OF
The NEGRO PROBLEM.
The subject stated Diverse Opinions Of
Slavery Establishment OF the 'nssito'
zion In virginis--Respcnsibili OF the
Slave Trade.
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Not directly, but by successive approx
nations, do mankind reach correct conclu-
sions; and those who iirss think in the right
direction, loose as may be their reasonings,
and wide Of the mark as their differences
may be, yield indispensable aid by framing
provisional conceptions and giving a bent
70 enQuiry.--Herbert Spencer.
write in the interest Of the white race.
II the negro OF white man must 90 TO the |
wall, let 1t he the negro. For this Is the |
white mans land; he discovered IL, and has |
nut in operation forces which make it the |
wonder OF the civilized world.
The march VI civilization should DO on |
ward 10 the goal predicted for the AryaD
races by Sir. Spencer, who says that the |
Aryan races OF America will, from biolOgi- |
cal truths, develop the highest type Of man
and the granoest civilization ever known
The negro must not be permitted TO mar
40 great contamination. Ii ia plain that
the politicians are not COMPETENT TO deal
with the question, ;ney appear neither 10
be scquainte Win The history Of slavery In
the United states nor with the negro char
scter. Probably same criticism may be
made OF my ATTEMPT, but my object will
have been attained II can cause inyestiga-
ton by men OF science. men OF knowledge,
who above sectional prejudice, will advise
for the good ef our common country.
VARIOUS OPINIONS.
The uuestiOr must be discussed ethnologi-
csIIy as well as historically, and the admit
ted principles OF biology brought 10 bear for
Its proper solution. Opinions appear 10 be
divided into four classes.
l. Tnere are those who regard the negro
as a 'sbrOther man." the only difference
between the two races being the color OF the
skin. That each n alike capable OF develop
ment TO the same level OF morality and In
telligence, That the present inferiority Of
the negro IL due to his recent condition OF
slavery. That by education and training
no will within few generations measure
up with the white stocks. That prejudice
IL the only bar 10 iDtermsrriage. That mis-
cegenstion should be encouraged. because
thereby the negro will he sooner elevated
while the infusion Of the blood OF the Afr
can into the European stock will give
greater stamina. That the resultant will
be higher type Of man.
.. Conversely, the opinion Ia held that the
negro 10 an inferior stock Of mankind thai
be cannot, by any amount Of training, be
brought TO the level Of the white stocks !;
that II allowed TO remain in the country
miscegenati0n Will take place, which, from
biological laws. will fesuft in degradation
q the white race, as witnessed in all cases
where the whites have intermixed with in
fsri0r races; that the negro is not our br, tn
er man, which implies equality in race al
tributes, likeness and hOmogepiousness Of
character and principles that, therefore. the
negrOs should be dePOrted.
3. The third class recognize the
lnferiority Of the negra aud main
tam that the white stocks Will never
misceginste with the African race;
that il IL the duty Of the white race TO aid
abe negroes so as gradually to elevate them
that the white race Of the South owe this as
debt because they have enslayed and de-
graded them. and because OF their faithful
service during the war between the states
that the two races can develop side bY
side, there being ample room and other con-
dtions in the country 10 enable both a.
work out their respective destinies.
4. A fourth class look for war of races,
aud the survival OF the strongest, Of course,
there are various shades Of opinion.
DIVISIONS OFTHK sUBJsCr.
In discussing this subject. l will, first,
eive sketch of the introduction Of slavery
into Virginia, and attempt 10 show that
England is responsible for its introduction
into our State. and that the n rth, more Is.
pecially Massachusetts, aided 10 fasten
slavery upon us in spite Of our earnest ef
forts and protest.
2. will adduce the condition OF Hayti re
an example Of free-negrodom.
3. Condition OF the South after the Close OF
the war between the States.
1. Slavery in Virginia before the war Do
tween the States.
8. Conduct OF the negroes during the
war.
Q. Conduct ofthe negroes after the close o.
the war.
7. Present state Of the negro as a freeman
In the South.
4. Contrast between the negroes In the
wids OF Africa and In the South a. slaves
between the negroes in Africa, who for two
hundred years have been brought under the
influence of European commercial nations
and negroes in a state Of slavery in The
South.
o. The question considered from an ethno
logical view,
/ address myself rather 10 the Nertherr
than TO the Southern people because they
constitute the great majority who will de-
eide this question for the veal or wOc
of the country, and because wish to cor
rect the opinion widely entertained that
thew are not interested, as the negroes are q
mere handful in their land and will mel
into the white population without injury tt
them. Setting aside this view for the rres
ent, | will state that the laws OF correlation
Are as true Vi OuT Ilolllltdi va oui
organism and, therefore, that an injury Il
any part Of our bOdy-pOlitic Will be felt by
the whole country AS surely az disease OF
any part OF the body human will derangt
the entire organism.
Let there be fair and honest discussion Of
this subject; let there be controversy II you
choose. but let the good side OF controversy
prevail, that which stimulates the wits
tends 10 clear the mind, and helps those en-
gagged in ii TO get a better grasp of their sub,
ject than they had BEFORE" This kind OF
controversy will lead the public 10 take an
interest in the great question.
The more il is Investigated the more light
will be shed upon it, and let the solution be
that which Will rebound 10 one good oil the
American people.
THE CHIEF OBSTACLE.
The chief obstacle TO solution OF the
problem IL ignOranc of the history o
slavery In she United States, and OF the
negro as one of the stock of the human
race, OF his Intellect and morality at the
present time. and of his capacity OF develop
Inent In these respects. Ii is complicated
by the political status Of the African
among us.
Bet let him once he regarded as injurious
90 the white race, an obstacle TO his higher
development or TO his welfare, aud zoe
American people will devise way to solve
the vexed question. Could he be eliminated
as factor in politics, the question would
be more tispassionately considered and the
best course adopted for the good OF bosa
races.
Itis also complicated by class known
rs sentimen;alists, but my knowledge OF
American nature permits me 10 believe
that sentiment will not stand Is barrier II
interest weighs in the opposite scale OF the
balance.
would just here invoke the patience OF
our Northern brethren, should II b. neces-
cary 10 state disagTeeable faces, lest the bad
side OF controversy exhibit itself and dis
cussion degenerate into an exchange OF sar-
casm, Of elimination and recrimination.
Let us bear in mind Oliver CiomwelFs re-
ply 10 the Presbyterians when they desired
10 enlist him ~ persuade or force the people
ofGreat Britain 10 adopt their religious te-
nets.
al pray y0u brethren, in the bowels OF
Christ, 10 think Il possible that you may be
mistaken
believe IL the part takes 10y the different