Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1897-07-16
FRIDAY. JULY 1s.

Thom.
Much OF the eccentricity Of the
Negroes social attitude and bad
conduct are strained They are
neither natural nor genial to him.
He desires the friendship and good
will Of all men and to live friendly
and socially with all IN return,
and when lie can not enjoy the
reciprocation OF this normal social
order he is greatly grieved, him
dred and confused. For centuries
past the social ostracism which he
received at the hands Of his fellow
brother, or man, Of other race
varieties, retarded his life's pro-
gress, and added more materially
to his temporal hell than any
other element OF his environ ments.
The Negro always wanted to
think. and know now that all other
men are just as good by
nature as lie is, but no better, and
it is his desire to have it so,
he does not only know and desire
this, but wherever an opportunity
is afforded him lie acts in accord
ance with the same.
In the duty Of :'socisl conser-
vation," the Negroes acts in the
most part proves that he desires
the continued existence of all men,
and at no time during the long and
most trying period OF his existence
in this country has he showed the
sliehtest disposition to extinguish
even those who has treated him
most cruelty, but to the contrary.
When in the cos all the women
aud helpless children Of the south
were left by the men at his mercy
he did not only spare their lives
but he, BY his own will worked
faithfully for their support: and
today he stands ready and will
ing to make the first step toward
closing forever the social casm
which his caucasian brother las
made between them, not be-
cause he has nothing to sacrifice
as some would say, for he has per.
sonal pride and fine feelings Just
as other human beings, but he con.
siders the good will and friendship
Of his fellow man to be OF para.
mount Importance to his selfish
pride and feelings, and is willing
therefore to sacrifice the less for
the greater.
THE DUTY OF DEFENDING NAN.
The Negro feels it to be his
duty to warn men against any
course OF conduct which he sees
will result in the destruction Of
life. To rescue them If possible
in peril, and to deft nd them to the
extent of his ability against all
improper assaults made upon
them. Yet he is not \ total alb
stainer from taking human life.
Some Negroes despite Of the races
highest regard for human life, they
20 SO far as to commi. murder,
but it is a depression in which he
does not pride himself. Respec Ct
ing personal liberty no man has a
greater desire to see every man
fully and unrestrictedly use his
powers and possessions to the
great end of their mission than the
Negro.
PERTAINING TO PROPERTY.
1t will be a long time before the
American Negro becomes to be =
true socialist in the absolute sense
because he: believes strongly in
the individual right Of ownership
Of property:'ye yet he is not free
from having thieves and covetous
ones. Some of them take little
things and covet other mems pos
sessions.
IN SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT.
Standing in the light Of chris
tianity and viewing men in practi>
cal lite, the Negro sees plainly that
the social side Of the lite of the
majority of them are abnormal|y
developed; state or a condition
OF things the continuation Of which
he began to feel that he is respon-
sible, and be is now putting forth
some effort, both by precept and
example for the improvement Of
the powers Of his fellow men that