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

A yirginisn's Temperate and Hessonapio
Views on the Question.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuS-Sir: Being
Southern man in every sense OF the word. and
desiring to see my section. which 10 so richly
endowed, properly developed. l have given the
race question much thought and am deeply
concerned at the Increase OF crime and lynoh-
ing. Every Southern man 10 compelled to fesl
it and desire to put 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 l am informed by
doctors, 1t was q rare thing to meet with an
insane darksy or one suffering from consump-
ton. but to-day 1t 10 Just the reverse and II 10
seldom you find negro with strong lungs, and
all OF the colored insane ssylums in the South
are overcrowdsd. Does this not show the de-
generation OF the negro. the consequence OF
which Is crime1 And II the negro degensrstes
into brute. must no not DO treated as such
Lynchlng 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 a study OF this question.
The negro 10 not to blame for his dsgsnera-
ton or great Increase Ia mortality. Our Gov
eminent committed great crime against 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 Indias has schools. homes
and provisions are given him. while the poor
enfranohised slave, whose master was taken
from him. 10 given nothing In exchange. and
still 10 required and expected TO behave like tho
Caucasian. who has tax on hundreds OF genera
lions to reach the height he now occupies
appeal to you Northern men 10 know II II 10
fair to the coored man to wrong him a. you
have done, through Ignorance. I admit. and
with the bost Intentions. and then. whom We
men OF the South try to right this wrong and
injury. censure Us a. you dor
Every air-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 tho
slave. than the slaves behavior to his white
master and family after his freedom. No
other race on earth would have done a. we'll.
and defy any one to mention . case Of the
usual crime for lynching II the negro had at
tanned the age OF twenty lone when Gen. Grant
said. Let Us have peace"
Ny Northern brothers and friends forget that
they sent money and teachers South to sdu-
cate the negroes TO be lawyers. doctors. DO.
and this little learning has caused them TO be-
como 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 frisnds
was good. but they were ignorant OF how 70
solve the question.
nnr ~ Nj
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, DO, 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 Thorn
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
tho 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 ssli-protection
and business intsrests, 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
care OF his health and you have removed the
germ that has caused the lynching epidemic
In tho South. Massachusetts was as 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
ourss OF slavery a. 1t Is OF the Southern States
specifically. We Eastern States can no more
cope with the Chinese question on the 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.
! trust have said nothing to offend my nrst
cousins OF the North II lay claim to cousinship
because We are children OF sister Statssl
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 . stock that fought for our
United States In 1776 and 1912. and will be
found as ready and willing to night for our
country again when the necessity arises.
LYNcHBuRo. Va. NovS. J.Sw.