The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-12
THE NEGRO PROBLEM.
A yirrinisn's Temperate and Reasonable
Views on the Question.

A yirginisn's Temperate and Hessonepio
Views ON the Question.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuS-Sir: Being a
Southern man in every sense OF the word, and
desiring to see my section. which is so richy
endowed, properly developed. l have given the
race question much thought and am deeply
concerned at the Increase OF crime and lynch
ing. Every Southern man Is compelled to feel
it and desire to put a stop to 1t. but We know
that until the original cause 10 removed 1t can
never be stopped.
These facts appear to me a. bearing closely
on the cause OF crime and lynchlng:
Prior to the Civil War, so am informed by
doctors. II was rare thing to meet with an
insane darksy or one suffering from oonsump-
ton. but to-day It 10 just the reverse aud 1t 10
seldom you find negro with strong lungs, and
all OF the colored insane asylums in the South
are overcrowded. Does this not show the de-
generation Of the negro. the consequence OF
which Is crime1 And II the negro degsnsrstes
into brute. must no not DO treated as such
Lynchng 10 not brought about from any
hatred Of the race. but from motives OF SELF
protection. No Northern man can suggest any
proper solution OF the race question that 10 .
matter understood only by those living at the
South who make study OF this question.
The negro 10 not to blame for his dsgsnera-
ton or great Increase Ia mortality. Our Gov
ernm ent committed great crime asslnst the
negro race. which for generations had had
every thought anticipated and received the
best food and medical attention during sick
ness. when In one day II pushed them out into
the hard world and made no provisions to
teach them how to provide for and take care OF
themselves. The Indian has schools. homes
and provisions are given him. while the poor
enfranchised slave, whose master was taken
from him. 10 given nothing In exchange. and
still IL required and expected TO behave like tho
Caucasian. who has taken hundreds OF genera
lions to reach the height he now occupies.
appeal to you Northern men 70 know II II IL
fair to the colored man to wrong him a. you
have done, through Ignorance. I admit. and
with the bost Intentions. and then. when We
men Of the South try to right this wrong and
Injury. censure Us a. you dof
Every fair-mindsd Northern man will admit
that there could be no greater monument
erected TO the love OF the negro for his master.
and the masters desire to DO his best for the
slave. than the slaves behavior to his white
master and family after his freedom. No
other race on earth would have done az we'll
and defy any one to mention case OF the
usual crime for lynchipg II the negro had at.
tanned the age OF twenty-ons when Gen. Grant
said. Let US have peace"
MY northern DrOtnerh ana Iflonub rOrRettnht
they sent money and teachers South to sdu-
cate the negroes TO be lawyers. dootors. dc
and this little learning has caused them TO be-
come dissatisfied with their positions In life
and be he white or black. II . man 10 thus dis
satisfied. he will make . bad and dangerous
citizen. The intention OF my Northern friends
was good. but they were ignorant OF how TO
solve the question.
Our Southern men were penalties at that
time and could not do what they know ought
TO be done. that 10, educate the negro to take
care Of himself In every sense OF the word; to
be good farm hand, mechanic, 30, and TO Be
thrifty and learn bow TO take care OF his
health. The best colored citizens In the South
to-day are those who have educated them-
selves. with the help OF their white Southern
friends. and made their own money. having
never seen the inside OF . college.
Every Southern gentleman desires to elevate
the negro and aid those who wish to i'm prove
their condition In life. and he fully appreciates
tho fact that the question can only be worked
out BY the most Intelligent OF the white and
colorsd men OF the South. For sslf-pro.ection
and business interests, however. they are oom-
PEELED to cast aside all political questions and
take care OF self. which Is the admittedly nrst
law OF nature.
Teach negro how 70 be thrifty and take
cure OF MS nsaltn hnu you nave removed the
germ that has caused tho lynching Epidemic
, In the South. Massachusetts was az much to
blame for slavery as Virginia. and II 10 as
much the duty Of every Northern State In our
united country to do her part to erase the
curse OF slavery a. 1t Is OF tho Southern States
specifically. We Eastern States can no more
cope with the Chinese question on tho Pacific
slope than my Northern friends can solve the
negro question In the South. know their
willingness to help US and only wish they
could do 90. but We alone can work out our
own salvation.
thrust / have said nothing to offend my nrst
! cousins OF the North II lay claim to cousnship
| because we are children OF sister Statesl
Nothing 10 further from my mind. as some OF
| my dearest friends are from north OF the Mason
and Dixon line, and my only desire Is TO try to
help my dear State and dearer country. fully
appreciate and acknowledge tho fact that the
| North has done much for the South. and our
| people are to some extent to blame for
their not having done more. With all our
| faults. however. no section can claim . larger
| percentage OF full blooded Americans who are
| descended from . stoct that fought for our
| United States In 1776 and 1912. and will BE-
| found as ready aud willing to night for our
country again when the necessity arises.
LYNcHBuRo. Va. Nov.S. J.Sw.