The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-04-13
wilmington Messenger.)

Wilmington Messenger.)
A gentleman Of our city left copy
Of the Boston CongregatiOnalist with us
1t is an able and large weekly. 1t
has an editorial that arrested our at
tention. 1t is headed The Negro's
View Of His Race" 1t is very fair
and conservative discussion. 1t sees
that the negroes are now listening
to the wiser and better equipped men
Of their race, whereas in former wears
they were prone to listen to only the
white men, and they misled and de-
ceived them to their hearts content,
we add. 1t refers to Booker Wash
ingtOn and other co-laborers in the
work Of instruction among the color
ed men. 1t says that the new
leaders Of their own race are telling
how to help themselves Several
well informed and we'll furnished
colored men have spoken wisely,
earnestly, sincerely, frankly to the
people, giving them wise counsel
based on wide observation and an en-
lightened experience. 1t says, but it
can only apply at present to the bet
ter informed among them, that me
groes are coming to realize them
selves the power to create value for
the community and beginning to feel
ashamed of asking and demanding in
the same breath social and political
favors, and complaining as though
these were rights withheld through
rejudice." 1t adds, and so far as it
can apply to certain numbers, it is
true, that this is the dawn of real
freedom to the race"
But the main point of interest is
the reference to the intelligent, edu-
Gated negro named Hugh NJ. Browne,
who has visited North Carolina since
the revolution in Wilmington. He is
a teacher in the Hampton Institute
in Virginia. His report of his observa-
tions is said to be interesting. We have
not seen it. The Congregationalist
thinks 1.-The practical wisdom OF his
own words on the negro problem
would be Endorsement enough of his
character. Referring to the Whining
ton troubles in November last, he
says: The situation is simply this
the professional colored politician
has lost his job He shows due APP
probation surely of what is right
and just when he says that lit is
quite natural that citizens, both
white and colored, who pay the taxes,
should overthrow those who pay no
taxes but insist on collecting and
using them
He is right. In what New Eng
land community would it be allowed
for a year, or a month, that 81 OF the
negro taxpayers, aided by those Of
their own race who pay no taxes,
should control taxation and laws and
| offices over the 965 who pay the
taxes? 1t is too monstrous, too
absurd to be pressed. A New Eng
| lang town would 90 into.'revolution'
and have another Concord before a
month ended if such a condition
| were to be brought about by bad Fed
eral laws and the power Of a political
conspiracy.
A colored teacher says. and all the
men OF brains, and perspicacity and
candor see it and admit it, that the
great mistake of his race in this
country is that we began our free life
in the political rather than in the
labor field. in the convention hall
rather that in the orkshop." Just
there lies the blunder and the North
ern people are the cause of it all.
When 100000 OF negroes were made
voters without any training. and
knowledge any understanding of the
duties and responsibilities Of citizen
ship, any qualifications whatever for
the important role in which they
were to appear, the greatest crime OF
the centuries was perpetrated, and
in the mad spirit of revenge and per
secution of the whites. A great many
Of the truest, best, ablest whites were
al the same time disfranchised. The
negro who had never even so much as
seen little river boat was put in
charge Of great ocean steamer
freighted richly with 500 lives, men.
women and children. Of the Anglo
Saxon lineage.
Browne finds leading white mer
helping the negro in the South. 1t is
common. Many such can be fouuc
to-day in this city where revolution
in November wrought such mighty
change even for the betterment o
, all. The colored imam and brother
must be heard from once more. He
writes:
II we will but rid ourselves Of th'
false notions and ignorant pride
which follow as the results OF the
harangues of INSCRIPTIONS white and
colored professional politicians, WI
will honestly confess that the bes
white blood in the South cherishe
for us a friendship which is nearer
and warmer than it is possible fol-
anv other class of white people Il
understand. much less to cherish.
There is not doubt as to the cor
rectness of all this. The thing /
patent. 1t is to confirmed in ever.
community, Go to the North an
ascertain precisely the status OF tn
negro, and see just how little priv
leges he has and how intense hi
Limitations and then. by way O
contrast. visit the South and see hin