Evening star., 1898-11-16
THE NEGRO PROBLEM
Many Communications Received on
the Subject.
PROF. MILLER'S LETTER DISCUSSED
His Position Attacked by Several
People.
so UTH E Il N LA WLESS ESS
). MILLER'S LETTER DISCUSSED
UTHE RNLA WLESSNESS

Since the publication of Prof Miller's
| nierous letters bearing upon the subject of
the negro problem in the south. Some Of
them have been in direct reply to the views
expressed by Prof. Miller
j. S. Love says that Prof Miller has
allowed academic spccuIations to unbalance
his usually even mind. Should the negro
conform his conduct to the advice proposed
IN that communication he would lose all
title to respect and forfeits his rights in
society. His advice is the negro should ac-
cept political se!f-effacement as a contr0Il-
! ing political factor
This is certainly unique and suggests
fallacy and a want of proper appreciation
OF the political relation. The fa!acy is
contained IN the assumption that the negro
III ElS political relation seeks primarily po-
itIcal GOmination-dn iSsumntion which ac-
cords faithfully with the argument OF those
who would eliminate him from the sphere
OF political action. 1t is without the slight
est foundation. In the worst days of re-
construction the negro did not display any
great desire to dominate or control. and the
little control which he did exercise was
recessitated by the fact that he lived
among those who were too proud to unite
with him il properly carrying on a govern
ment which they had sought to DESTROY
The want of Il proper appreciation of the
political relation is shown in the attempt
to Ciscredit it and to c0nfcund the f@ea OF
political relation with the vulgar idea of
politician.
The negro can no more accept political
self-effacement under the conditions of
modern society and government and sur
vive than he can exercise political donina-
tim in the south. His security under mod
ern government. as well as the security Of
all other classes, depends more or less pri-
marily upon his right to 4 voice in the
management of the government. Of ali
classes of men in the United States the
|
self-effacement; and, should he passively
do So he would deserve to be, as inevitably
he would be, effaCed absolutely AMI for
ever from every part of the social equation.
THE right of suffrage is designed to af-
ford the equal protection of the law, and
covers the negro case exactly. Who has
greater need of the laws protection than
the negro? His greatest misfortune lies in
the fact. not that he is or may be deprived
of the doubtful privilege of holding political
office. but rather that he does not enjoy the
| benefits of just laws and the equal admin
istration of the law This IS true in pro-
portion as his right of suffrage has been
abridged or denied. In the southern states.
where his voice has been silenced, he is the
victim of the most vicious class legsla ton
| legislation which is intended to crush his
manhood and lessen his opportunities in
the struggle for existence. In the degree
that he is cut off in his political relation,
these caste laws increase in severity and
his lot becomes more intOerable, while, on
the Other hand, he enjoys greater protec
ton and greater opportunities for develop
ment and expansion in those communities
where he has weight a political factor.
Where his political relations have been
abridged he is at the mercy Of caprice.
1he courts AFFORD him no protection because
he has no voice in determining who shall
administer the law and the law Itself treats
him a Serf.
In the most ordinary administra ton of
the law he is compelled to accept what his
political masters award him and he
signed to whatever is taken away from
him. BY dint Of hard labor and patient
economy. he may acquire property and ac-
cumuiate wealth, but envy. jealousy and
the fires of hatred can Danish him from all
these and cast him out upon the world a
pauper and 4 vagabOnd and the law affords
him no redress. The negro must demand a
larger political freedom. To do otherwise
is weakness and would justly subject him
to the scorn and contempt of manly en-
Hghtenment."