Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-01

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bies have been common wherever two
oistinct races Inhabited the same ter
ritory:: and one lowered much above thes
oener IN intellect and wealth. In many
instances riots and revolts are inn
minent among members OF the same
race when degrees Of intelligence so
SWyItoeiy separate their social standing.
ne think with all the other good citi-
1ens, white and black, that it's an un-
fortunate circumstance for any section
u our boosted free republic to be
oVeeershadowed with such calamity.
speaking Of the condition of the
negro South many of his advisers North
ana South have advised him to resort
10 the rifle and shot gun, which means
death and destruction to the race.
others have advised him to emigrate to
other lands. which means poverty and
starvation; hence ell OF his M5uld-be
advisers haya core e. ort OF lii. proper
advice to better his condition. 1,here
is no land or climate so we'll adopted
10 the american negro as the South.
lana; not even Africa. the land OF his
originality. The proper advice to the
negro IS serve God better and apply
yourselves to honest labor. Above all
Things. he should abandon politics, for
Shey have been his greatest curse and
oshoraiizer since his emancipation. I
say openly and above board, without
ooorting the smiles or frowns OF any
party, that If the occasion should offer
MIN tne opportunity. would give my
leare. my hand and my vote to sus-
tain any just movement that would en-
.reiy separate the negro from politics,
unt.i ne Is educated to know what
principles should actuate the execution
OF his right of franchise
me negro as q race has no more
usiess In politics in his present con-
oilion than billygoat in Paradise. He
snouid iirst learn to CONCEAL himself
Win mis- surroundings and locations.
Ioon upon as an enemy any who tries
10 allure him into politics. by using him
80. cat claw, at which game he has
DceH soreiy burned, and left to share
the cold charities of the world. No ono
party Is altogether responsible for this
poltical condition, for he has been
cailed upon by both of the great par
TIES or the United States TO vote ar
e,ines 10 help to settle fractional differ
ences OF local nature. and even this
should not have been done. He should
nave been entirely isolated from them
IL Is true that affiliations have been
mostly with the Republican party. In
tHat 1 can't condemn him, since that
pa,ty iirst induced him to enter politics.
IN MS Ignorant and uncouth State. rpon
such 1attering promises as TO what his
iuture should be. l utterly condemn
tne act OF that set OF white men who
become disloyal and lose fayor with
.helr party and then handicap the
negro by trying to make him believe
that every white man OF the Demo-
cratic persuasion is his bitterest enemy.
Inc black man has yet to learn that
ms interest is not always invested in
me man that is running for office. but
more often in the locality in which he
IS TO live. While 1t is true that a few
coiored men have been honored nv
holding high offices within the GIFT or
tne government. I feel it was more to
h - color TO the occasion than it was
TO establish a principle.
Let inc negro retire from politics,
rake to education and other pursuits
ana undisturbed by political preiudices
ana social friction, he will work out
his own salvation. ..l>--. ~
A CITIZEN OF COLOR.