Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-16
NO UNION OF RACES,

'The differences, l suppose, are en-
| tirely social?'
yes, almost altogether So" said Mr..
| Washington. "The two races are In
| this respect apart"
Twill they continue so: or do you
| think the conditions will ever be such
that the races will Join? viii the
blacks be swallowed up in the whitesy'
II think the two races will continue
| 10 be distinct as races was the reply.
"They do not mix in an immoral man
! ner so much as they did during the
| days OF slavery, though in matters Of
business, education and things that
tend TO improve the general character
| of both races there is more union at
! the present time in the south than has
ever existed. | say this notwithstand-
| ing the fact that | am aware of the
many outrages which have been per-
petrated against our people in some
portions OF the south during the last
two or three years. The negroes are
increasing rapidly. ] think the last
census showed that the negroes were
increasing more rapidly in proportion
10 their number than the whites or
course II Is 10 be considered that the
negro does not have any accession to
his numbers by reason Of immigration,
while the white race does"
Said |. might there not come such
time when they would equal US In
NUMBER"
Il have some doubt as to that The
mortality Of the blacks in the cities al
the present time is very great, although
we have a higher birth rate than the
whites. We are, believe, equally
healthy In the country districts. As
the negro gets education the death rate
decreases"
DO you think the day will come
when the black man will be the equal
OF the white man In all respects
throughout the United States?"
"That is a big question, and time will
have TO answer II In large measure.
/ see no reason however. why the ne
gro should not strive 10 be the equal
OF the white man IN all that is best
In our American life. As soon as he
shows himself TO possess the same
qualities that the white man possesses
he will be given many opportunities
that are now denied him"
DO you thing, Mr.. Washington. that
the black child IL naturally endowed
with intellectual faculties equal 10 the
white chlld2"
Il do" replied the negro educator.
II am speaking. Of course. of the aver
age child Of both races
but, professor do you not think
there Is a limit TO the possibilities OF
the colored man in the United States7
Do you think the time might ever
come. that any circumstance might
ever arise, by which black man might
become President OF the United
States?"
II should hope so" was the reply:
but this Is another very big ques-
ton"
THE NEGRO is A MORAL BEING.
"How about the moral standing of
the black man. Is he born with a
conscience equal TO that Of the whitf?"
There is no doubt In my mind as 20
that matter" replied Booker T. WASH
ington. "The colored man Is naturally
religious. Our consciences are some-
what n matter OF education and our
moral condition IS largely influenced by
our surroundings What state OF mo-
ralty or practical Christianity could
you expect where as many as six, eight
or even ten cook, eat, sleep, get sick
and die IN one room? 1t is often
charged that black man has rather
loose ideas OF property rights as
regards the white man. But take
look at former conditions. While
we were In slavery our people
reasoned thus My body belongs |
10 my master. and taking mas
ter's chickens to feed masters body Is
not stealing. Indeed, one old colored |