The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-07
THE COMNON NEGRO.
A Discussion That Throws Light on inc
Propress of the Afro American.

Emmet J. Scott. the young editor OF 'he
Texas Freeman. has an article In inc
Monthly Review Of Boston on the 'oin-
mon Negro a subject which has been
very generally discussed in Afro-Amerlcah
newspapers during the past six monlnS
The discussion originated In Stationery
made by Mrs. Ida Nelis-Barnett that m
better class OF negroes are iynched IN tne
southern States. The issue was )olhth
upon this statement at once. and the as
cussion has been hot and furious, WIN
a prepOnderance Of fact and OPINION
against Mrs Barnetts statement. Ml'
Scott takes a broad view OF the question
There are many who object TO dis
cusson of shortcomings OF the race III
the public prints. and there are others
equally as interested and as equally per
sistent in the contention that the race
needs prodding so that 10 can mend anu
heal NJ the existing eyesores OF evil
There can really be no denial tnat we
have among us vicious element that
lacks race pride and Is without the saw
ing grace Of ambition 10 rise either 10
higher moral or intellectual altitude. IL
is a conceded fact that the cdlim cast
upon the race by all the other elements
OF our citizenship is due to the continued
and ineXcusable conduct OF this elcment'
and yet II can hardly seen fair for ne
more favored. intellectual and ambitious
element to leave the people 10 their rate.
They certainly do no. merit our respect
but the duty we owe 10 ourselves is 10
assist IN the regeneration and education or
these people. They are OF as, and thelr
CONDUCT whether good or evil, aifects us
in the eyes of other people. Let us De
gin a systematic crusade that VIII tend
TO lift them up morally and intellectually.
The issue had as well be met now as
later We alone have the duty OF look
ing out for class OF our people VINO
have no interest in their own welfare.
IL is worth great deal 10 nave
thoughtful AfroAmericans recognize mat
they have a large vicious element among
them, and that they are directly anected
in their relations with the vhites by the
lawless acts of this element. Inc lact
has not been generally acknowledged
heretofore; on the contrary when DlacK
man has committed a crime and been
made to suffer for 1t. he has too often
been exalted into martyr by those OF
his race, who, by reason OF their ehaI-
acter and position. belong on the side or
law and order Instead OF restraining the
whites, this has not only melted them
to further acts of vengeance, but caused
them very generally 10 class all negroes
upon the same level OF morality.
The generation of negroes born since
the war are Just beginning 10 'feel
their oats" A vast army OF them IN the
South are without the habits OF sus-
tanned Industry and or selI-reslIdiHe
posse ssed by their fathers, educated III
the SClOOl OF Slavery NY '"AN
ing for the law and the officers OF tne
law. They are constantly In conflict win
these and with exasperated public opln-
ion Of their vicinage Ihey are enemies
OF society, and IN the interests OF So
cicty should be placed where they can
do the least harm.
An orderly administration OF the laws
everywhere is the best safeguard thaI
society can have. but our Afro-Am erican
fellow citizens damage their cause Wheh
they persistently place themselves on the
race, in defiance of law and public opinion.
To recognize the existence OF this crimi-
nal element and labor 10 lift them up
morally and intellectually" as Mr. Scott
suggests woud be a far more wise ana
judicous course 10 pursue. IL is never
safe 10 Justify the existence OF abuses OF
whatever sort; a manly recognition OF
them and an honest effort 10 correct
them will always command respect OF
those whose respect is worth having.
THE common negro IS a natural pro-
duct of slavery and the reaction rom
slavery He is in evidence In every
southern community and In few OF the
northern and western ones. He comph-
Gates the race problem. He makes diii-
cult the pathway OF the honest, respecta-
BILE and ambitious members OF his race.
He is too often. 1t - true. made the
standard by which his whole race Il
Judged but, under the circums tances,
this is Unavoidable. An honest admis-
sion that he exists and that he is to be
dealt with just as the criminal members
Of other races Of the population are VIII
be of incalculable advantage TO AFRO
Americans and TO society generally
New York Sun.