The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-04-09

NO REFORMATION FOR NEGROES.
That the negro is not yet free seems
to be more patent every day. A few
weeks ago bishop of one of the south
ern churches was refused admission to
the leading hotels in one of the cities
of the north for no better reason than
that he was cOlOred man. There was
absolutely nothing that could be said
against his appearance. His manner
and bearing were faultless. No objec-
ton was made to his religious convic-
tions. But since his skin was the color
his Creator intended it to be, and that
color did not harmonize with that of
the other guests of the house, he was
refused admission. This, however, al
though an insult of the grOssest char
acter, could have no worse effect than
to bring contempt and disdain on the
heads of those who were SO unreasona-
bly, prejudiced as to commit this act of
uncharitableness. But facts have now
come to light which show that the race
distinction is being carried to an extent
which threatens the future welfare of
the country. 1t is stated on good au
thority that there are three hundred
negro children, under sixteen years of
age, in the penitentiaries of one of the
southern states and nearly all of them
for petty larceny. They are kept in
close contact with old and hardened
criminals and leave the institution
more confirmed criminals than when
they entered it. In view of these facts
it is extraordinary that the legislature
should have refused to pass bill for a
reformatory. The only reason offered
for rejecting the measure was that
it was useless to try to reform negro
, boys.
This is a state Of affairs that is dis
grace, not only to the particular part
: of the country that has taken this step,
t but to the United States as whole.
, With the results that have been OBJ
! tained along the line of the reforma-
: tion of the younger class offenders as
| prominent as they are, it is shocking
: to think of the possibility of being re-
claimed being denied to anyone on
: almost any grounds. But to place
= these children in the midst of surround
: ings that cannot but be to their retro.
l gradation on no other plea than that
f it is impossible to reform a man be.
cause his skin is black is Wickedly non
Q sensical. The real results in other re-
y formatories show that the colored man
g is just as susceptible to good influences
: as is his lighter skinned fellow crimi
t nal. The actual records of this insti
S tuition show that some of the very bes
f that have ever been made by any in
d mate have been made by colOred men
l. 1t is true that as a general rule tht
f colored man is lacking in moral stami
ma, but he is not responsible for this
n The long years that were spent in bond
y age. that gave him very little ascend
e ancy over the beasts of the field, mus
e be answerable for his weakness. HI
y was held as slave by the white NAL
d until his whole nature was SO debase'
3 that it will yet require many genera
le tions to place him on ne footing h
# otherwise would oocuI. The state
al ment that it is a useless task to try t
v reform negro boy is as false as it ca
possibly be and is made by those VIII
=. are either criminally ignorant of tn
real state of affairs or are criminal
. blind from selfish motives. Any ply
40 sician who would pronounce judgmen
on the case of man whom he ha
y never seen and the nature of who's
!, complaint he knew nothing abou
u would be condemned in the most I'll
40 measured terms. Or if he willfull
~ made the statement that the case Wa
- hopeless knowing that such was not
', fact then would his condemnation
' all the more sweeping and deserve
- - And yet the cases are analogous. II
w juvenile colored offender can and hs
:! been reformed and there is nothir
ha that can justify the refusal to graz
he him the same opportunities and adva
tages that are extended to other your