The San Francisco call., 1899-10-09
THE PROBLEM OF THE SOUTH.

recent issue of the Atlanta Constitution two col
ums were given to description OF a reception and
a banquet rendered to an honored guest on his
return from Europe. The hall was filled by large
gathering including many OF the most distinguished
men and women OF the city. The address OF well
come was delivered by Governor Gambler and
speeches were made by the State Commissioner of
Education and other officials. Now the man to whom
all the honor was done is a negro-Booker T. Wash
ngton.
When Southern officials, dependent for office upon
the votes OF white men, take prominent part in
reception given to negro it is clear the worst part
OF the race problem in the South is There is
no longer an unreasoning antagonism to the black
man. no longer an invincible prejudice against his
work and his worth. OF course the fact that Wash
ngton has carefully abstained from politics and has
advised other coiored men to do likewise has much
to do with the favor shown by the politicians OF the
South, but it would be unjust to attribute all to that
fact The president OF the Tuskegee Institute has
done and is doing great work only for his race
but for his section, and the better class OF Southern
whites have not only the intelligence recognize it
but the honesty to admit it and the Justice to COM
mend it.
The warmth OF the welcome given to the guest OF
the evening equal to any that could be given to
the most eminent educator OF the white race The
Governor said: Il am hereato-day to say am glad
to welcome him back to this country and to the
South We Of the South need more such men.
Especially do we need them in Georgia" Colonel
Glenn, the State School Commissioner said Il look
upon this great the peer OF any man OF his
day and time | regard him as being in front of one
OF the greatest movements of decades-a movement
that will produce like good to both races"
Professor Washington began his address by saving:
=
Georgia, the State Commissioner of Education as
well other distinguished citizens OF the white race.
who join this large and representative negro audience
on this occasion is added proof that the nobest mem
bers OF the Anglo-Saxon race in the South have a
deep and abiding interest in the progress of the
negro" He then to discuss the race prob
lem, and among other sanguine and encouraging
things said:
80 long the negro is permitted unmolested 20
education, property, employment and is given
the protection of the law shall have great faith in
Our being able to work out our own DESTINY Over
and over again, while in Europe | had constantly,
impressed upon the advantage which the negro
has in the South in the opportunity to enter success
ul business compared with poor people in Furope
If you ask for the source and foundation for nv
encouragement over the prospects OF the race |
would point you to the negro who is engaged in busi
ness IN the SOutn IN all parts OF the South have
met the negro carpenter, truck gardener, the con-
tractor the butcher the merchant; they speak hope
fully and encouragingly. Everywhere they tell ME
that in business in the South there is practically no
color line Two races to live in this country to-
gether and he is enemy both who tries to array
one against the other"
An incident of this kind is more illuminating 70
the race problem in the South than all the specula-
tions OF theorists policies OF politicians put to-