The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-22
The Negro Question

The Negro Question
From a lengthy review of the negro
problem, by Kelly Miller, colored. pub
lished in the Washington Star on
Monday least, we make the following
extracts:
The candid and conservative editor
ial comment of The Star Upon the re-
cent race conflict in Wilmington, n.
c., must elicit the commentator of
thoughtful people of all shades of color
or political conviction.
The alarming outbreak of passion
developed by the late campaign, in a
state which had, hitherto, been con-
sidered notable for the kindly feeling
supposed to exist between the races,
is a striking illustration of the gravity
of the negro problem. Despite the
wonderful transformation of the past
! ~thirty-five years, this question is no
nearer satisfactory settlement than
When Lincoln issued the emancipation
proclamation. The remedies propos-
ed SO far have all failed to work out
the fulfllment which their PROFOUND
| ers prophesied. Emancipation, enfran-
| chisement and education have, sever
ally or conformity, been confidently pre-
dicted as adequate measures of relief;
and yet with each of these expert
ments, the problem, instead Of yielding
to the treatment, seems to take on
added difficulties. We have apparent
ly reached the limit of human wisdom.
This conviction was clearly expressed
| hr nv IIonrr Vyof4orror ~nroro1 ~ vo
ago., when he declared hat he had
stopped specializing and had gone to
praying. The North Carolina episode
illustrates more clearly, perhaps, than
any occurrence since the overthrow of
the reconstruction regime, the spirit
and determination of the dominant
rae, and The utter helplessness of the
weaker element in the contest. The
situation does not call for bitter abuse
or vile epithets, although, on first i'm
pulse, it is almost impossible to sup
press them. 1t is only a calm, dispas-
s~ionate, judicial consideration Of all
the facts and factors involved that can
be Of any avail. Much of the evil of
the situation inevitably grows out of
the ju~XtapOsitiOn Of w races widely
different from each other in physical
pecularities and cultivated faculties.
After exercising all possible prudence
and caution, there will still remain a
large residuum of difficulty. But un-
less both races put a check upon the
wild license of passion, the catas-
trophe will be too appalling for the
imagination to depict.
The elective franchise is destined
to be of inestimable benefit to the race
if it is used wisely and with discre-
ton. In a majority of the northern
and western states the political par
ties are SO evenly divided thai the
colored vote has decisive weight
Wherever possible this vote should be
utilized to effect just legislation and
wholesome public sentiment.
But to state the truth mildly, the
negro is not yet qualified to exercise
political control, in state, town Of
county, according to the standards OF
western civilization. A knowledge o.
this truth on the part of the coloreC
race is essential to its true development
along these substantial lines which
count for progress. Wherever the ne.
gro has attempted to control the po-
litical machinery the result has al
ways redounded to his detriment. Thu
reconstruction regime in the south
worked lasting injury to the colore6
race. The best talent of the popula'
ton vas diverted from productive an(
moral pursuits into the whirlpool O.
politics. The minds of the young wert
: vitiated by looking with admiration
upon corruption in high places. Ami
mosities were e~ngendered which viii
embarrass the progress of the race fol
generations to come. Nor can it b,
said that the professional negro poll
tician, from the days Of reconstruction
until now, has been of any lastin.
benefit to his race. The alleged quad
rennial trade in negro delegates to tn
nominating republican convention i
the standing disgrace of our nationa
politics.
In retiring from the active field o
politics and directing the energy which
was hitherto d~issipated over the politf
cal area into productive channels, ant
striving to build UP the people il
moral, mental and material directions
the negro will not only be MOVING
along the line of least resistance, bu
of the greatest usefulness also.
KELLY MILLER.
~avattnyi1Ia Observer Ipbp Davis