The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-11-24
RACE PROBLEn DISCUSSED.
Views of an Intelligent and COnserva-
tive Negro on the Subject.


From lengthy review of the negro
problem, by Kelly Miller, colored,
published in the Washington STIR.
we make the following extracts:
The candid and conservative edito
rial comment of the STIR upon the re-
cent race conflict in Wilmington, \.
c., must elicit commentator of
thoughtful people Of all shades or
color or political conviction.
The alarming outbreak Of passion
developed by the late campaign, in a
State which had, hitherto, been con-
sdered notable for the kindly feel
ing supposed to exist between the
races, is striking illustration of the
gravity of the negro problem. Des-
pite the wonderful transformation of
the past thirty-tive years, this ques-
ton is no nearer satisfactory set
Element than when Lincoln issued
the emancipation proclamation. The
remedies proposed SO far have all
failed to work out the fultillment
which their propounders prophesied.
Emancipation, embarrassment and
education have, severally or con-
Jointly, been confidently predicted as
adequate measures of relief; and yet
with each of these experiments, the
problem, instead of yielding to the
treatment, seems to take on added
difficulties. We have apparently
reached the limit of human wisdom.
VI. Oh D,l,,
pressed by Mr.. Henry Watterson
several years ago, when he declared
that he had stopped speculation and
had gone to praying. The North
Carolina episode illustrates more
clearly, perhaps, than any oc-
currence since the overthrow Of
the reconstruction regime, the spirit
and determination of the dominant
race, 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 impulse, it is almost impossible
to suppress them. 1t is only calm,
dispassionate, judicial consideration
of all the facts and factors involved
the evil of the situation inevitably
grows out of the juxtaposition Of
two races widely different from each
other in physical pecularities and
cultivated faculties. After exercis-
ing all possible prudence had eau
ton, there will still remain large
residuum of difficulty, But unless
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
discretion. In ma jority of the
Northern and Western States the
political parties are so evenly divid-
ed that 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 or
county. according to the standards
of Western civilization. A knowledge
of this truth on the part of the
colored race is essential to its true
development along these substantial
lines which count for progress
Wherever the negro has attempted to
control the political machinery the
result has always redounded to his
detriment. The reconstruction
regime in the South worked lasting
injury to the colored race. The best
talent of the population was diverted
from productive and moral pursuits
into the whirlpool of politics. The
minds of the young were Initiated by
looking with admiration upon cor
ruption in high places. Animosities
were engendered which will embar-
rass the progress of the race for
generations to come. Nor can it be
said that the professional negro poll
tician. from the days of RECONSTRUCT
ton until now, has been of any last
ing benefit to his race. The alleged
quadrennial trade in negro delegates
to the nominating Republican con-
vention is the standing disgrace of
our national politics.
In retiring from the active fald of
politics and directing the energy
which was hitherto dissipated over
the political area into productive
channels, and striving to build up
the people in moral. mental and
material directions, the negro will
not only be moving along the line
of least resistance, but of the greatest
usefulness also
KELLY MILLER.