The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-29
CoLoRED DIvINE's VIEWS
He Thinifs the blame for Race VAR
q. uu ysal and the Remedy Love
sBaltimore Herald,

VI lass NtAAAAA AH &1f@
The Negro Question Of Today" This
view OF the cause and remedy Of race
friction pas listened to by n large con-
gregatiqh OF the influential colored
population. and. judging from its eff
feet. III was evidently the sentiments
OF his tp~arishoners. He took a. his
text. We, then. that are strong ought
to bea1 the infirmities Of the weak.
and not to please ourselves" and said
in part;
we hear much in these days about
negro dom. ion and white suprem-
acy.' II would be n most unfortunate
thing. not only with regard TO the civ
lizationl which characterizes this Coun-
try. but more especially 50 far as the
negro himself is concerned. We're IL
possible for the very imperfect civil
cation and culture, viewed in its en-
tirety, Of the present negro. To domi-
nate and control governmental aualrs
generally. This is not "A matter either
OF theory or sentiment. but OF fact
IF the combined wisdom. experience
and knowledge Of the whole negro race
in Baltimore city should be placed IN
a position TO dominate and control the
affairs OF this municipality. then
would be very sorry for the city and
it's future. and would take UP my be
longinEs and go into an atmosphere
more congenial 10 the growth and ex-
pansien OF a purer, nobler and more
helpful civilization. Looking at the
matter in a collective sense. the negro,
is totally unfit to dominate and on
troll Affairs in any OF our cities. And
this is true not because he il "A negro.
but rather on @ Of his unde-
veloped state and tcnder years with
respect To the great advance already
made in such affairs by the Caucasian
-A@l l. - uaANttI 49,
and do not condone the many injus-
tices practiced upon our poor people
throughout this entire country. Yet we
are not unmindful OF the fact that
there is such n thing as negro rowdy-
ism and right here in the city OF
Baltimore we are painfully certified on
every hand of the arrogance. wicked
ness and shameless profiEaCy of an
ever-inCreasing number OF disroputa-
BILE negroes. In a few words. then. il
is not at all surprising or strange that
such conditions should begct upon the
part OF all sobcr-minded and intcIi-
gent citizens n strong desire To limit
the suffrage To those only who art
mentally, morally and financially pre-
pared to use II. | confess that | hay.
very strong sympathy with those who
favor such a proposition.
Again. on account OF the coarse
ness. vulgarity, insolence and crime Of
the fUflD tilI OF the CblDftI race, SuCh
conditions are fast obscuring the fact
that there are ~law-abiding, intelligent
and worthy men and women OF the
colOred race. Unfortunately we who
are trying to do the right thing are
the chief sufferers from the lawless-
ness and evil doings Of our vicious
brethren. This is a sad but, neverthe-
less, true statement Of fact. We must
certainly protect ourselves from such
devastating influences. But we cannot
hope to effect a cure until We have
discovered the real cause. Even the
restriction Of the suffrage Will fail to
accomplish the desired ends unless the
real cause of these disorders is ascer-
tanned and the remedy applied. We
are bold enough to venture the sug-
gestion that the real cause of all the
race friction and irritation is trace
able TO a serious but simple misundcr-
standing upon the part Of both the
white and the colored people.
The negro is partly wrong, and SO
is the white man. But how are the
two parties to be reconciled? Who is
to take the initiative? To our mind the
remedy is both clear and simple. The
negro is wonderfully responsive to
kindly treatment and love. The effort
has only to be mad by those who are
superior in development, and who.
necessarily, have most at stake.
Il would suggest this: In every CITY
in the south the white men. at least
a respectable number of them. repre-
senting the intelligence, the business
and financial interests Of the conmu-
nifty, should seek out-and they know
who they area respectable, number
of the sober, Industrious. intelligent
and self-respecting colored men and
meet with them at various intervals
during the year, and in simplicity and
love talk with them. Point out To them
the natural rea~sonableness Of the per
sons In the community who represent
the intelligence, the business and
money of that place controlling the af-
fairs. Demonstrate to them how the
colored man really serves his best
interest in cooperating with these
his fellow citizens. Assure them. upon
their honor and standing in the com
munity, that they, the white business
men. will see that they are protected
in the enjoyment Of all their rights.
that proper sanitary arrangements iu
the section Of the city i'm which they
i've viii be maintained, their schools
cared for with great solicitude ana
special concern, and. ar an absolute
guarantee that the object is not mere
~ TO deprive them Of all p~articipatiou
In the government solely on account
Of their color, assure them that N thoy
VIII cooperate with the best white cit
lZens along the lines indicated, in the
interest Of good government. a f.w Of
their own number who are adiudgcd
competent in every respect will be-
given some Of the minor Offices. and
that the efficiency and general salts
faction which they may give in the
discharge Of such duties viii surrey
pave the way for even greater rargg-
milton. which viii be cheerfulIy accord
ed them by their white fellow citizens
Let these colorcd men be encouraged
10 be frank ard tell Of their Difficult
ties in the race OF life. their him
ORANGES and what they think. so that
they may receive thu benefit of tn.
combined wisdom and exucrfrrf. ~
their white fellow citizens.
This 10 my mind Is n permanent
solution Of the whole question. Love
begets V and when the whlta man
Viii study to make ouuurtuuftles
whereby he may be brought face to
lace with his industrious thrifty
coIored brother that he may help tho
weaker by his contact. influence and
&EVE 70 Q ~ q n 49,