The evening times., 1899-08-26
SATURDAY. AUGUST 2S. 1899.
/. Dark National Problem.


concerning the race troubles at Darien,
Ga, il is not as yet. possible to discuss
the matter intelligently from the view
point of events. The situation, which, this
morning, was most serious, may become
much more so if an armed collision be-
tween the whites and blacks should occur
in the swamp where the latter were re-
ported to be massed.
According to our press dispatches the
disturbance appears TO have grown out OF
a misunderstanding, much as happened at
Alexandria not long ago. The sheriff at
Darien was trying to get negro, accused
of assault. safely away TO Savannah, TO
avert the danger Of lynching. The prison.
er's friends suspected that his removal
from the jail was intended to facilitate the
very thing the peace officers were trying
to prevent.
Since the initial outbreak, the murder by
negroes of a deputy sheriff in the discharge
OF his duty, has rendered the situation
acute and locally alarming. The mlrdere's
will be taken if they can be found, and re-
sstance 10 the peace posses and militia,
Who are attempting their CAPTURE, can RI
Iy fail to result in bloodshed. and the de-
moralization of business and social condl-
tions in the district Immediately affected.
In any event the unfortunate episode VIII
tend to an agitation of the race question.
which NAV be said alreG iy TO have begun
with an open letter on tine subject from the
pen of Major General NJ c. Butler, former
ly Senator from South Carolina.
General Butler takes the view that the
only reasonable solution of the question
lies in the peaceful senaration of the races.
lie does not believe that they can live to-
gether without detriment to civilization,
and certainly not without constant fric-
tion and trouble. which will increase Until
the most serious consequences to both ele-
meats must ensue His idea is that no
sum of money is TOO great for the nation
TO appropriate for the purpose Of deporting
the negroes and furnishing them with a
country of refuge, where they can work out
their own destiny.
This is by no means a novel proposition,
and its theoretical equity or adyisability
need not be discussed al present, since, in
the light Of our present statistical knowl-
grave question. 1t is plain enough, how
ever, that existing conditions are of char
acter to give serious concern to every
thinking American. Race troubles, ac-
companied often with extreme social eX-
asperation on one side and defiant lawless-
ness on the other, appear to be multiply
ing. The arm of authority in many parts
of the South is paralyzed in the face oi
situations never contemplated in the civil
or military organization of States; and Z
pessimistic sentiment with regard to tht
future permeates the whole region, to thi
retardment of enterprise and material de
yelopment.
For years all lovers of peace and goot
order, and all friends of humanity hav'
lived in the hope that. with the acquiremen
of education and property by the Southern
negroes, the race problem would adius
itself on the basis of mutual interest. Thi
visible results in this direction while, her
and there. encouraging, on the whole can
not be said TO have equaled or approx
mated expectations. The question is thel
no longer a dormant one. Its discussion
and agitation from this time on are likel
TO be active. We can only hope that
will be treated on all sides with calmness
deliberation and patriotic desire to fin
and apply a remedy or remedies, whic
shall save a large section of the countr
from the disgrace of eternal riot and dis
order, remove the melting causes, an
operate justly and equitably upon bot
races. How this is TO be accompiishe
hut - hat
American people will be under immediai
compulsion TO do, or endeavor to do. some
thing in the premises, if the Souther
States are to be relieved from the menaC
Of ruin and anarchy.