The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-14
HOUSTON. THURSDAY, DEC. IL. 1919
TEN PAGES TODAY.
THE SALVATION of THE NEGRO.

The mad work OF a Kentucky mob has
furnished another opportunity, that has
not gone unimproved, for an outpouring
of admixed abuse and advice on the de-
lighttully gruesome topic OF Southern
outrages," OF which the Afro American is
the hapless victim
II our Northern and Eastern critics,
whose sentimental hysteria lea is them TO
such rare exhibitions of profound idiooy,
knew anything about the encouraging re-
lstions OF Southern whites 10 Southern
blacks, they perhaps might spare us their
absurd frenzy. Or. II their advice were
not invariably accompanied by a n"udish
abuse that seems 10 indicate an exagser
ated affection for the negro and a mo 1T
unnatural hatred for their own racial kin,
it might be accepted with courteous ST.
lenee even if 1T did display groas lgnor-
ance Of causes and conditions.
The racial problem. as It affec the re-
lation of the negro to his white neishbor.
is most difficult OF solution. but the So
luton is neither beyond the ability nor
desire OF the Southern people. Our North
ern neighhors could hasten the solution Il.
they would but let us alone. THIS they
seem determined not to do. and 10 tina. ex-'
tent they are obstructionists. Thess inter-
meddlers ruled by ignorance aud preju-
dice. but serve TO fill the sullen thought of
the criminal class, both white and black.
with brutal resentment. Arm ignorance
with the weapon OF unreasoning resent
ment and law stands aside TO make way
for the mad court OF the mob. while the
holdest and most patient reformer looks on
In impotent and almost despalring pro-
test
The Southern States must DO lief. TO
work out the racial problem 10 their own
way. aud with the assistance Of thoughtful
negroes, OF which Booker 7. Washington
is conspicuous type, the difficult TASK
will be accomplished Northern ana East
ern theorists have no place, and can have
none, in this accomplishment They don't
know the people of the South and have
not displayed any very signal disposition
10 know them The theorist and the III
tempered critic are ever the most serious
stumbling blocks In the steep moline that
all great reforms must ascend with slow
and laborlous toll. The Southern States
give the opportunities OF education and
employment with generous hands TO tho
negroes in their midst rhey do no. al.
ways accept them, but they are theIIs.
nevertheless, and exactly In the ratio OF
hon-acceptance Is the negro's lack OF prog
ress in the essentials OF good citizenship.
Edncation does not make the negro law
abiding, prosperous member of society,
but an honest self-support does. BY far
the most serious menace to the social,
moral and material advancement. of the
negro is not so much in his lack OF dis
position to industriously improve on edu-
cational opportunities afforded IN the or
binary schools, as In his almost absolute
lack Of progress in the field OF competitive
labor.
Mr.. Walter T. Wilcox OF Cornell uni
versity. chief statistician in the census o.
flee. In his address to the American Social
Science association Of Saratoga, brings out
with conclusive force the fact that the ne
gro Is not in any way keeping up with the
constantly growing demand created by in
dustrial development for intelligent labor
This unquestioned authority traces to this
the causes OF which the increase In acgio |
poverty and oriminallty are dlrs.t end
logical effects. Mr. Wilcox, after show
Ing that in agriculture. on whl,h Inc neri |
relies mainly for employment and llvrl1- |
hood. constantly increasing diversified
ton Is extending the demand for create
industry, energy and intelligence, olin.ncs
the argument that the negro is 'amentahly |
dropping to the rear OF the procession in
the following statement OF official fact:
Some evidence upon the lack of Industry
OF negro farmers In the black belt OF Ala
bama may he derived from a recent bulletin
ironi the United States department OF ngri-
culture dealing with their food. Eighteen
families near Tuskegee. Ala, were selected as
typical and studied BY officials OF the de.
OF the Tuskesee Normal Institute. The agent
OF the department reported THE negro
farmer generhly works about seven and
half menfha during the wear. The
lest i,. o. the time Is devoted 10 visiting social
life, reyivals and other religious exercise
and TO absolute idleness. Few formers work
on SATURDAY even during the busy season OF
cotton picking"
The negro OF tho South must help him
sell, His white neighbor can not employ
bin except he be an efficient workn.4 n,
md he can not hope 10 acquire indcpend- ,
snce Of his white employer except through
he golden rsluns on thrifty sslf-suppert.