The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-02
THE NORTH AND THE NEGRO.

We quoted yesterday from very can
did article in the New York Evening Post
on the negro question. and expressed our
surprise that a Northern newspaper could
deal with the subject so fairly and frank
ly.
The Evening Posts article was based
on the assassination Of the negro post
master In South Carolina. and we find an
article in the Hartford Courant on the
same subject, which in a different way.
is quite as candid as the Posts article
and interests US no little. We quote the
following extract:
There is a feeling I'm Carolina and per-
haps throughout the South kerry gen
cral feeling we think-that Northern
newspapers are on the eager lookout for
crimes Of this sort. delishting to ex@
plot them and mOralize on them In the
interest of an unctuous. seif-righteous
solf-comp AGENCY. TO this The Courant
for one. pleads not guilty. Far be any
such folly and vain Boosting from US.
within the twelvemonth crimes have
been committed in quiet rural communi-
ties here In New England quite as black
In their way as this Lake city one. our
murder record here in Connecticut Is ap-
palling. We are in no case TO preach
10 South Carolina--wc Yankees who have
such need 10 pray for deIVcrance from
our own blOod-g outlines. In this matter
Of the negro all parts Of the country. the
whole great American family have sim
ned together and have common respon-
sibillty. That was true in the slavery
times and 4; Is true In these times. Up
here we do not lynch him nowadays;
lynching is not the custom of the re-
eion. We have not heard of any attempt
10 burn negro babies hercabouts since
the New York draft riots. But tho
Northerner who in cold blood Injuries his
negro neighbor. puts obstacles In his way.
shuts him out OF honest employments.
corrupts him with money and whiskey
in the political campaign. buys his vote
on election day pollutes his citizenship
and kills his self-respect-this Northern
or. we say. should think twice before eX-
claiming in horror al his hOt-blooded
kinsman. a few parallels nearer the equa-
tor, who expresses his disapproval OF
The negro's color with the shotgun or the
rope
May the twentieth century bring better
conditions. nobler politics a deeper rever-
ence for human life and for the law a
clearer vision Of the duty Of the strong
toward the weak. a more Christian social
temper and social organization, 10 South
and North alike.
This is the first time that we have seen
in a New England newspaper a confession
that the North was in any way respon-
sible for slavery although it is a fact
that the South purchased its slaves from
New England.
II is rarely, too that a New England
new spaper has confessed that the whites
Of that section had any but the most
aneotionate regard for the black man. or
that he was ever treated amiss in any
part Of the country. save and alone the
South.
II IS an encouraging sign OF the times
that the Northern press is al last begin
ming 10 see the negro problem from the
South's standpoint and to deal with it
fairly and philosophica!ly. We are en-
couraged by this to believe that the time
is not distant when the North will cease
altogether to NEEDLE with the negro prob
lem, and when that time come the prob
lem will soon solve Itself