The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1898-11-28

inflicted on the race itself, as history
shows, but never while the world stands
will the editor OF the Transcript be able
to see this, not because it is not the
plain truth, but because he Is looking
the other way. His blindness-We are
all OF us blind in some matters OF mere
or less impOrtance-is shown by the
comments which he makes on the letter
from which we have made the foregoing
extract. He launches his mind in the
air sends it back to the abolition cam
paign, and then allows it to sail up to
the question. in hand with the remark
that the republican organization is still
drawing its vigor ''from it's traditional
advocacy Of free manhood and free soil"
Then. mistaking wholly the real prob
lem at issue, declares that the negro
as where the republican placed him,
and If it leaves him to his hopeless plight
now, it's place in history will not be an
enviable one"
The negro is whore the republican par
tv placed him, How full Of bitter truth.
how full Of awful significance is that
simple statement. Interpret it as his
tory will interpret It. and the great
crime stands out dark and sinister Here
Of the northern conscience for genera
tons: the negro was not made voter
for his own protection nor for his own
benefit, but for the benefit OF a political
party. Whatever that party was when
Abraham Lincoln held it's policies in
his hand, it has been groveling in the
miro since that great soul took it's
fight It fell into the hands Of trading
and trifling politicians. We say it was
Z crime against the negro and humanity
to arm ignorance with the ballot, and
thus inevitably make it the victim Of its
own folly, and Of designing men.
We look in vain in The transcripts
comments for any earnest or inspiring
word. It is all party, party; the party
did this, the party pledged that, and the
party must settle the other. We submit
that the real question is far above and
beyond party; and no thoughtful man
can afford to discuss it on party lines,
for that would be to obscure TRUTH JUS
tice and charity. If the republican party
had left The negro question alone a Qaur-
ter Of a century ago. thousands Of lives
would have been saved and the race
would have been farther advanced on
all lines of progress, especially those
that lead to enlightened citizenship.
There is no question rs to whether the
negro is to be left to his hopeless plight.
The Constitution doesn't propose to
leave him there. Il has seen him in
plghts apparently moro hopeless than
the present ore, but remembering the old
plantation types it feels sure that there
Is a saving element somewhere in the
race an element that viii come TO the
front in good time, and mould the ne
gro into all the shapes of good citizen
ship.
Nevertheless, The Constitution is even
more certain now than it was twenty
five years ago that the saving element
will not be found in politics-eyCn moro
certain now than then that present safe
tv future comfort and prosperity, self
respect, self-confdcnco and the mental
growth Of the individuals will have to
be found (whcro all races find thom)
above and beyond and wholly outside
Of party politics. More than this, the ne
gro has so little to do to win and keep
the confidence of the southern whites
that we feel sUle, not only that that
little Will be done, but feel sure that an
abundance VIII be added 20 ii. He
need not De democrat, u6 It'd h'I
practice severity. Let him set about build
ing his individual fortunes with what in
dustry he may. and if he be honest
fair-mnded and polite, he will find
friends and strong ones all about him.
That is the way white people succeed,
and the only way; it IS the only way tho
negroes can succeed in making good cltl-
Zens Of themselves.
In the midst of the loose talk
and wild remarks TO be heard
from those who know little OF
the facts. there is one clear voice.
the voice OF the man who compre-
hends the situation in its entirety
Booker T. WashinGton-who saying
that a radical mistake was made 0t the
beginning by emphasizing politics and
otfice-holding as the De-all and end-aI
Of negro freedom, to the exclusion OF
every other interest, advises the ne
eroes not to be discouraged. And he
tells them that if they continue sec1r-
ing education, property and character
and cultiyating in q manly way the
friendship Of the people who are their
neiChbOrs, no matter what their color
their future is secure.
Precisely so. 1t is a solution Of the
problem at once simple and sweeping