Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-13
coLoRPHoBIA IN THE SOUTH.
From the Springfield Republican,

(trom the Springfield Repubhcan)
1t is a curious study to observe the
various shades of color prejudice in our
land. They are as numerous as the
shades Of complexion among the Afro
Americans, which vary according to the
degree of race mixture from the original
ebony, to the fair skin, showing only
the shadow of the Ethiopian.
Color prejudice is strong on some
points in Virginia, but there are sections
of the state where negroes hold office
without opposition, even with the ap-
proval Of their white compatriots. In
country district in Culpepper county, a
negro man has been postmaster for
some years. 1t CHANGED that the col
ored man, an Industrious and popular
citizen, had a little store at the cross
roads. The prominent white men Of the
neighborhood living on large farms, with
their houses quite after the Virginian
fashion, about the centre of the estate,
willingly signed the petition of the ne
gro storekeeper to be appointed post
master Every family in the district
was in the habit of sending negro boy
for the mail. They saw no objection to
one negro putting their letters and pa
pers into the hands of other negroes to
be delivered to the owners, if proper
care were taken in the distribution The
mail only came two or three times
week, and as the negro postmaster had
a general knowledge of the business af-
fairs of his constituents, II letters come
that he supposed would be important to
the owners, he often walked across the
fields to deliver them. One of the plant
ers of the vicinity spoke of this official
as a worthy citizen and a general fav-
orite."
The pretty little town of Culpeper has
population about equally divided as to
whites and blacks. Some of the best
families of the state are represented in
the community. At the last election,
one of the magistrates chosen was
colored man we'll known and generally
respected, who owns good deal of
property and is a thrifty and sensible
person. BY an agreement among the
officials, approved by the general senti-
ment law-breakers of the colored per-
suasion are brought before the negro
magistrate, and white Offenders are dis
ciplined by fair-complexioned officials.
Occasionally, when there is press of
business, this rule is broken, but no dis
turbance follows. From these exam
pies it will be seen that the appointment
of a negro to state or federal office does
not necessarily throw a community into
commissions and result in frightful
crimes that shock the civilized world.
What a cruel thing is race prejudice, 4
taking every form from the denial of
the ordinary rights and privileges Of
citizenship to the murder of the father
of family, and the innocent infant in
its mothers arms. 1t has been said
that prejudice is the roar of the multi
tude that can only be put down by a
long and faithful struggle"
Colorphobia is not only the fault Of
the SOUTH long isolated by devotion to a
single idea, provincial in its prejudices,
under constant strain by the occupa-
tion of two races within its borders. 1t
is the fault of the American people, who
are responsible for it as whole, just
as the country was declared by Mr..
Lincoln to be as a whole responsible for
slavery. In Boston a negro bishop,
learned, Travelled, polished in bearing,
eminent in his church, is excluded from
the hotels open to citizens of every other
race. In Washington colored people are
excluded from restaurants open to the
people of every other nation. The Amer
lean who goes abroad meets a black man
on equal terms at the table d'hote, in
public conveyances, in educational insti-
tutions, enjoying the same advantages
that other foreigners possess. Why can
he not consent to give his colored COM
patriot the same opportunities for im-
proYement that he claims for himself?
The north should set the example in
this line and the south as it energies
from its isolation and provincialism will
follow. The rich and prosperous north
can afford to lend helping hand to the
south, so lately desolated by the ravages
of civil war, the upheavaI of her social
fabric. The north can help to solve the
race problem, which is, after all, but
human problem, by reasonable treat
ment of the colored man, and by aiding
us to keep up orphan asylums, reforma-
tories and industrial schools. The north
established Hampton, now cheerfully
aided by the state Of Virginia. Hampton
educated Booker T. Washington-Boo
er Washington is sending light through
the darkest places of the south. Do not
denounce us for barbarism, but come
over and help u.s. oh brothers and sis
ters of the north, 1--WE be of one blood,
thou and wep Q. L.
Lynchburg, Va, March, 1S9S