The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-12-09
SCRANTON MISSISSIPPI FRIDAY. DECEMBER g.

success and the glory Of our common
country. 1t is believed that the black
mans most dangerous enemy is the
political sharper" who seeks 10 ar
ray him against his white neighbor in
politics. He who would draw and
maintain the "color line" in local or
national politics is the enemy OF his
country.
The negro has progressed, and is
progressing. His condition and char.
acter as a citizen have wonderfully
improved. II we may judge Of his
future by his past, lie will In time not
only enjoy life, liberty and the pur-
suit Of happiness, but his rights will
be respected, because he will be worthy
OF respect, and interference Herewith
unthOught OF. The writer knows ne
groes in mercantile pursuits who are
thoroughly respected by their white
fellow citizens, for their courtesy,
their integrity and business capacity,
which, combined, have invariably
brought them success. We have right
here in Mississippi negroes competing
with white men 10 the same line Of
business, and doing it successfully,
too, holding the best trade and choic.
est patronage. We have negro attor-
neys here, practlciDg In all our courts;
conducting trials shoulder to should.
er with our white attorneys, some
times opposed and again acting as as
sociate counsel in the conduct OF
cases. They are shown the same con-
sideration by the bench, and treated
with equal courtesy by the bar, as
though they were white. We know
of negro artisans who own their shops
and manage their affairs successfully
paying in cash forall purchases. Many
of these people possess comfortable
and In some instances handsome
homes of their own.
Now, bear in mind the fact thai
these people were slaves, with M
right to hold property, with law ir
force prohibiting their education, will
absolutely no incentive to improve
their condition and every influence
against ambition on these lines. Thel
can anyone say that the negro OF tht
South has not made marvellous prog
ress? Would we, who are, throughout
the earth, the dominant race, have
beaten them in the contest, with The
same start and equal opportunities:
In the history OF the world there has
never been a people the superior, in
virile mentality, of the Israelitcs, and
yet we are told they were compelled tC
undergo a probation of forty years
after emancipation, before they were
permitted TO govern themselves. We
are also advised Of their many blum
ders and repeated failures for ensuing
ages.
Citizenship was thrust upon the ne
gro before he could possibly Under.
stand what it meant and-th0ugh We
concede that the exigencies OF the
time justified his emancipation
could we fairly expect him at such Q
time to step into the political arena
full.hedged citizen armed and equip
ped to bear hand In the struggles
1t was not a mistake to emancipat'
the slave. 1t was mistake to gram
universal suffrage just at that time
J and it entailed all the troubles Of tn,
!, reconstruction epoch. There wer
, many black men who were intelligent
enlightened and thoroughly qualified
but there was a much greater numbe
who had not the faintest conception
Of the duties, privileges and responsl
bilities of citizenship. And, to sun
I up, we assert that, with all these con
ditiOns and efvir0nmehts-hand
capped as he was at the start-th
progress and improvement Of tn
negro of the South have been trul
, wonderful. II. G. TURLEY.
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