Evening star., 1898-11-21

and thereby destroys the possibility of his
ultimate development The home, the
school, the church, the farm, the shop, the
factory, these are the primary factors OF
civilization. And 1t is here that the negro $
highest powers should be engaged. But,
says another, what is TO become of the coll
ored men now IN the colleges and universi-
10 Lney may not exercise their powers
In the political arena? The peculiar situa-
ton and needs of the race offer a field for
usefulness and service to educated colored
men and women such as is not offered to
The trained youth OF any other race.
have heard il fresh from the lips OF dis
tinguished Anglo-SaXon statesman and
scholar that If he had to select his place
in the history of the world he would choose
to be a coiored youth of the latter part OK
the nineteenth century. In view of this
great field, which is already white with har-
vest, must the educated negro whine and
pine away his time in supine inanIty be-
cause he is not consulted as to who is to be
the next Secretary of State or who shall
represent the dignity of this government
at the court of st. James?
Finally l argue that "self-effacement a 8
a controlling political factor" is necessary
for the best development of the negro him.
self. Just how this effacement can best
be brought about will depend upon circum-
stances. The situation of the race is so
complex that no single method of pro-
cedure would suit all conditions. In those
states where the great political parties are
in a state of unstable equilibrium no one
CdI say lIldl the GOlOTeu vote ls pTGJuulCldl
to the general welfare. In the great en-
pire state Of the north We have seen the
colored vote turn the tide in favor Of what
is generally considered sound governmental
administration and policy. IL was the ne
groes' bravery that made possible the mill
tary triumph of the brilliant beau ideal Of
American manhood, culture and character:
and ii was the negro ballot that launched
him upon the larger career of statesman
ship. In the national election Of 1895 negro
suffrage saved the day in many states, and
perhaps IN the nation at large, from what
many consider the vicious Vagaries of a
dangerous financial propagandisn. In COM
munities where the race is in the numerical
ascendency 1t should accept cheerfuly such
restrictions of the suffrage as will place
the control of affairs in the hands of men
of sense and substance, provided, Of course,
these such restrictions are honest in their
intendment and execution. In other in
stances the negro vote might be wisely di-
vided between existing political organiza-
uons: or be cast for the best men and meas
ures for their several localities. The negro
in Mississippi or Maryland should vote for
the interests of his locality rather than
those of Maine or Massachusetts. In no
case can it be shown that the existence OF
political organizations composed wholly or
mainly of colored men, threatening TO get
control of the governmental machinery, is
beneficial to either race.
The adoption of this policy would be
"self-effacement a controlling political
factor" indeed; but it would give the negro
much greater weight and influence with the
controlling powers, and would lead to 4
speedier recognition of his reasonable de-
mands than he can ever secure by eternal
ly threatening TO involve the southern states
In domestic turmoil.
These facts and conclusions appeal to me,
at least, with the force and sanction of self
evident truths. And rather than conceal
them i would write them across the sky
in letters so bold and pronounced that he
who runs may read; and, alas. fear, IL the
raa foil
IL will be compelled to run
KELLY. MILLER.
November IS, 1898.