Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-22
THE NEW NEGRO.
An Interesting Debate by the Bethel
Literary Association.

An Interesting Debate by the Bethel
Literary Association.
The Bethel Literary Association enjoyed
last evening a spirited discussion Of the
New Negro" There was a large attend
ance and the interest shown in the phases
of argument in regard to the future of the
negro race was at all times earnest and in
tense. The leading address Of the evening
was by Rev. DR.. John M. Henderson, pastor
of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal
Church of New York city. Mr.. Henderson
Is a careful student and distinctly effect
i've pulpit orator. His address started with
the chronological view of leading scientists of
the day, that the human race began in the
Himalayan mountains, and in the three race
variations-the rudy, the brown and the
black-diverged over the face Of the earth,
the black or negro race trending southwark
to Africa, the brown eastward over Asia in
to America, and the rudy or Caucasian
westward through Europe and ultimately
to America. The variations in the negro
race were dwelt on and many race charac-
teristics described. In its conclusions the
address furnished abundant opportunity for
arguments in opposition. Mr.. Henderson
claimed for the African equality in the So
cial system, and ultimately complete ANAL
gamati with the other races of the earth.
who knows" said the speaker in his
closing argument, what lines of beauty,
what new wave of the hair he will impart to
the future race, what pleasing shade his
dark skin may give to the complexion of the
ultimate American, what thickness and
symmetry of the thigh or the leg, what
strength and vigor Of the frame may come
from him?"
Dr. Alexander Crummell, speaking from
his recollections of life in Africa, where he
was born, and where for twenty years after
his education at Oxford he lived, made a
most pointed, vigorous and eloquent argu-
G
propC sitions. He made an earnest plea for
the integrity Of the race, declared that race
persistence was Gods ordinance, and that
the negro was a fool to think of social equal
ity with the white race. For himself he
must say he would die before he would run
after the other race asking social recogni-
ton; Bishop Turner, Prof. Miller, Prof
others participated in the discussion, giving
in three-minute speeches pro and con their
views on the subject of debate.
Some of the views expressed were exceed
ingly bright, and in many cases amazingly
frank.
Lock over this audience" said one speak
er, land tell us what you infer from all these
sistence.''
To another speaker the scientific ethno-
logical aspect Of the subject was especially
suggestive.
Prof. Miller Of Howard University was in
terrupted with the question, why shouldn't
we have our civil rights, and don't we have
them" To this the response came quick as
flash, Go down to the Arlington Hotel and
ask a nights lodging"
Another speaker urged that race impulse
was the great underlying law that, unalter-
able as the law of gravitation, was moving
the colored race on to its destiny of disap-
pearance by amalgamation.
IF can make dollar or gain q point by
bowling to white man, I'll do it," said a
very black debater. IF I can get social
equality, and want it, I'll get it. If white
man wants to marry black woman, that
his own matter-and why shouldn't he?
And If want to marry a white woman, why
shouldn't L? Mr.. Douglass struck power
full blow for our race when he married a
white wife"
1.-THE new negro is something I don't I'M
derstand," said one very practical man.
1.-The negro CT today is a problem. You take
thousand vigorous, able-bodied colored
men, give them twelve months supplies and
place them on the praires of the west in ia
vorable surroundings, and in six months
they will all be dead or gone. But look at
Mr.. Booker T. Washington's work for our
race. Take his young men educated at Tus-
kegee. They can support themselves You
could place a thousand Of them with six
months supplies on the western prairies,
and in eighteen months you would find them
all there busy building up prosperous,
peaceful, law-abiding and promising town
Now, that's the kind of new negro 1 want
to think Of and hear about"