The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-14

CommissiOaer Penn Bel ieves the south l.
THO Place for the Negro.

THO Place for the Negro.
T. Garland Penn. commissioner for inc
oolorcd exhibit at the exposition. has
written a letter 20 Henry +. Sawyer
president OF the Toucaloo University. Civ
ing the reasons why the South is the best
place for the negro TO live and telling OF
the treatment the negro receives here
The letter was written I'm response "a
some questions sent out by Sawyer, and
was published I'm the Atlantic COnstitu-
ticn April eth, as follows
ut IFS the opinion Of soDle that there
is no announcement for a colored per-
son 10 try 10 make anything of himself
here in the South. They believe that, al-
though he may not be molestcd as long
as he is content TO be poor and ignorant
ho is sure TO be opposed and oppressed,
and liable 20 be run off or killed as soon
as ne begins 10 get an education. acquire
property and make himself and his family
respectable.
IF this belief is well founded the facts
on which il rests should be- known and
understood. If it is unfounded or exc
aggerated IL ought not 10 be allowed 20
prevail among the colored people dis
c0uraging all noble ambition In them. nor
to be- disseminated through the North 10
the discrcdit and injury OF the white peo-
pie in the South.
"L What encouragement and oppor-
tunities have cclOred people I'm the South
TO acquire property and education?
"2 What discouragement and oh
stacles are there in the way of their OBJ
tanning these things2
"3. Does the acquisition Of property,
education and good character by colored
people expose them TO greater danger and
TO The hostility OF the whites;
90. In your opinion IS general emigra-
ton the best policy for the colored peo-
ple?"
l. Garland Penn made the following
reply.
"lly Dear Sir: Your favor Of recent
date Us 10 hand. and / take pleasure in
answering. TO your question / answer
that the colored people have great en-
couragement 20 remain in the South and
acquire education and property. Why?
of. Work is open TO them generally
and more abundantly than anywhere else.
and living is cheaper
80 The negro can borrow money of
the white people generally and purchase
property with convenient time and OPP
portunty To meet his payments.
'3. Education of the masses OF ne
grOes, I'm consideration of past environ
ment, can bee more successfully accOmp-
leltl lI riIfdl dA' sN4tNhlrf NtNiA 80 'aNtN-
South. than iu mixed schools.
a. Because the South IS cXteading
liberal hand in public school education
and I'm establishing normal schools and
colleges, supported and maintained by
liberal appropriation.
%. The colored man with small earn
ings can purchase land in the South when
in the North scch a thing is scarcely TO
be thought Of from general standpoint.
"6. There is decided frown on the
part OF the aristOcrauc south against
continuance of outrages.
=. IL is not hard 10 see that the good
blood OF the South has abiding sympathy
for the former slave and his children.
ITO your second question l answer that
the negro has no obstacle but a discour-
agoment in the effort OF the lower class
of whites TO make living with him Ohe
negro uncomfortable by continued dis
turbances. II Is 20 the negro's interest
10 let that class alone and yet in a ma
iority OF cases the mass OF the negroes
seek the confidence and respect of that
class.
ITO your third. I say it positively does
not. / say now that the progress Of the
cOlOrod people cOmmends itself 10 the
whites OF the South, and that In proper
ton as they make progress are they res
pected l refer you 10 the editorials IN
The Atlanta Constitution OF January 10Th
and Anril Sd. respectively. The great
trouble has been that the mass OF south
ern white men has been permitted 20 see
more Of the bad side than the good side
OF the negro. Those who have seen the
good side are decidedly liberal and help
full TO fault. The negros opportunity
at the Atlanta exposition is his time TO
show up the good side in an unmistak-
able way. God grant that he will see It.
TO your fourth l am opposed TO Cmi-
grafton OF any sort With tie favorable
sentiment growing and tn opportunities
which are opening up 10 US 10 show what
we are I'm this life, / am content TO stay
In the South and work out our own saliva
ton. The granting OF the negroes for
the first time in their lives on southern
soil an opportunity TO show the progress
they have made In thirty years. and the
free grant OF building with no rent nor
entrance fee on exhibits. the giving OF
the contract for that building to black
men. all this, after the Worlds Fair ex-