The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-03-03
THE RACE QUESTION.
How the Negroes of the South May
Solve II.
Rev. j. $. Gilmore Writes Thoughtful
Article, Casting His Lot With
Those who Feed and ClOthe
His Race.

COLUMBIA, Tenn, Feb. 28.-Edi.
tor Herdtd:-Please allow space for
al honest confession of my own con-
victions, and, believe the convic-
| ton OF many among the leaders of
the Negro race who have learned
that principle and interest are,
sometimes, two very distinct and
separate things.
| Negro race in America has been
obligated to the Republican party
for our freedom; but nothing else.
And as an honest debtor we have
been voting with that party for two
generations; and there being no time
specified TO liquidate the debt, the
party has never receipted us, but
continues to draw on our credulity
for more pay.
We believe that God. the true
Father OF freedom, required of us
from a principle standpoint, as he
did also the Isrealites Of old, to APP
preciate the Moses of our emancipa-
ton. But this has been done by rob-
ing Peter to pay Paul, and at many
disadvantages to us.
Had the Republican party through
its Congress provided a territory for
and transferred the Negro to himself,
with seed, tools and stock at a rea-
sonable price, and governed him
through an agency like the Indian,
then the Negro would not have be-
come indebted to the Southern white
people; but would have been obi
gated to the Republican party all of
their lives.
But having given them the support
of our franchise for the period of
two generations, believe we are
now under obligations to the people
who picked us up from the public
roads, and gave shelter, food and
raiment to our defenseless families ;
and the signs of the times show that
God is not pleased with the Negro,
because of the wicked abuses and
unthoughtful exercise of his fran
chise, detrimental to the interest of
the friend who makes his bond
when in trouble, secures his notes,
defends him when in danger, dis
tribute their charity among our
! suffering, help build every house OF
worship and educate our children.
For their favors we are greatly in.
debted, and the day is not far dis.
tant, | hope, when the Negro race
in the South will see, as some of US
now see, that our future will grow
brighter and better as we cultivate
friendship with our Southern neigh
bors; when the Negro will rise as 6
race and heal the wound he has
made with his ballot; then preju
dice will find deep grave, and h'
can fill his seat in the jury box with
less criticism, distribute mails with
out objection, fill the office of magis
trate and any other petty office will
little antagonism. | believe every
: Southern Stae would remove tn,
red tape from their election law
aid give every negro a vote whel
;. we cease to vote against their in
terest; for their interest is our IN
s. terest, as all of our money come
directly from the Southern whit
% man.
e would not be misunderstood b.
= anybody. | am not for sale. | dom
" want any office. | have not bee
: hired to make this speech throug
or the press, neither am | helpless.
e, do this voluntarily, free Of any one
influence. [ believe God has give
me the courage and talent to max
J. these confessions, so that my rae
ii may begin to call halt and abou
u face, to seek those friends we force
from us. Our manhood calls for il
our citizenship calls for it, and GU
religion demands of us to do unit
ID others the things we would hay
them do to us. [ believe 1 hay
some influence with my race, and
believe as minister my peopl
should understand my position fC
of the future. 1t may be known frol
le this writing that Twill hereafter ca
O, my lot with those who feed an
as clothe my race. j. S. GILMORE.
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