Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-08-23
TIM COMMON xncno.


Discussion That Throws Light ON the
Progress OF shc Afro-Amcricon.
Now York Sun.
Emmett ]. Scott. the young editor OF
the Texas Freeman uIouston). has an
article in the Monthly Review OF Boston
on 'rhc Common Negro" a suhjcot which
has been EenerRliy discussed IN Afro
American newspapers durirL tho mast
six months Tho distusslnn ORIGINATED In
abatement made by Mrs. Ida Wails-
Barnett that the better claaa OF neeroes
ARE lynohed IN tho Southern States. The
Issue was Joined upon this statement at
once, and the discussion has been hot and
furious. with proponderanee OF fact and
opinion against Mra. Barneti'n statement.
Nir- scott takes a broad Wow Of tho ques-
tlon. lie sayn;
There are many who object to a dis.
cussion Of the shortcomings OF tho race
IN the public prints, and there are others
equally M interested and aa equally per-
sistcnt In the contention that tife race
neets rrodding 20 That II can mend and
heal up the existing eycsores of evil.
There can really be no denial that we
nave ainonE us vicioua element that
LACKS faoo pride and II without the saving
grace OF ambition to rise TO either a
higher moral or intellectual altitude. II
u conceded fact that the odium cast
upon the race by all the other elements
OF our citizenship Ia due TO the continued
anu ineNuosablc conduct OF this element;
and yet II can hardly seom fair Tor Tho
more favored. intellectual and ambitious
element to leave these people to their
RATE They certainly do not merit our re-
spcct. but the duty we owe 10 our
selves ~ TO assist IN tho regeneration and
education OF these people They are OF
VI. and their conduct. whether good or
vvil, Affects us In the eyes OF other people.
Lot us begin a systcmatlc crushdc th.t
VIII tend 10 litt them up morally ana in
,ellrctually The Issue had nix wei he met
now ma later We alone have Inc tiutv Of
looking out for n class Of INV nooplo VINO
have no Interest In their own Neltnr,''
u is worth "A gren, deaf 10 have Thought.
ful Afro Americans recognize MAT incy
have a large vicious clcmont nmonp th,m
AMI that they are directly affected ia
their iolAtlona with the Nhltop by tine
laWlcas acts OF this clement. Thn f,ct has
not hCen generally acknowledged harsio-
fore, on the contrary. WHOM IA hlnel, man
has committed crime, aud been mnde
TO suffer FOR q. he has too often boon
exalted into u MARTYR hy thoan OF ma
race. who. by reason OF their ehafncisr
and position belong nn tho sldr OF inv
and order Instead uf rpvtr.lninp mo
whites, this has not only nyitou tlan tu
furthOr acts Of vengeance on; oauHou them
very generally to class an pcgroe. ns upoi
the Same Lowell OF morality.
Tho generation of ntEroes born since
the war are just beginning 10 "fpsl th,I
oats" a vast army Of them In mo soutb
arc without tho habits OF suatninnd in
duatry aud OF Holf--oetr,nn. pos..,aed l,v
their fathers educated in mo echeol III
slavery. They caro- uothinu for M, Ink,
aud tho officers OF the law. They are con
Rtantly In conflict with thefe and win ma
cxanpdrntod public opinion OF their ylrip
age They are enemies az soeirt, nud
In the intpreata nf noeiety iho,ild IA, nlac,1