The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-30
The Future of the Negro.

In the Forum for July appears an
estimate of the future of the negro by
a representative of that race which
will provoke discussion. The author
of it, President w. II. Council, ranks
among the ablest educators of Ala
bama and in his personal career as
public official, editor, lawyer and final
ly head of a large educational institu-
tion. he represents in an unusual de-
gree the higher capabilities of his race.
He writes frankly and his conclusions
are somewhat sensational.
First Of all, he regards the race prob
lem as inevitable and views it without
passion. Take one thousand white
men and one thousand black men, rep
resenting the highest intellect, virtue
and industrial skill, trained in all the
principles of the Gospel of Jesus of
Nazareth, and place them, above want,
remote from the communicating influ-
encc of race-hating men, and before
the end Of the third generation" says
he, tine race question would be raised
and racial lines would be drawn. 1t
is as difficult to equaize races as it
is to oqualize wealth
President Council favors education
for the negro, but not because it will
solve the race problem. He faVors
thrift among negroes but not in any
hope that it will make their lot in
America tcnable. Dollars" says he,
''ncvor solve problems. Problems are
born in the souls of men and if solved
at ALL must be solved there" He ia
vors religious instruction and political
modesty among his fellow-b blacks but
these, in his judgment, while helpful,
will not right existing inequalities.
The negro, he thinks, has already done
well enough to warrant sympathy and
announcement if his progress alone
made any material difference in the
problem.
"He is" says our author "a fervent
long-suffering, forgivinG Christian He
is every mans friend. Every man is
welcome to his humble cabin and to
the best he has in it, He is a nom
striker; jolly, docile laborer; a loyal,
soldier. He has reduced his illiteracy
As per cent, in thirty-flve years. If we
turn on the light of the eleventh CEN
sus we find: % Negroes are more
eager for education that whites. The
whites enrolled IA per cent. of their
population in 1870, and only 22 per
cent, in 1890; the negroes, per cent
in 1870, and 10 per cent in 1890. (2) The
whites have 0 criminals to every 10 ,OOC
of their population; the negroes, 33 to
every 10000. But the whites have 100
to l in educational advantages, have
the entire machinery of the courts in
their hands, and 100 chances to l tC
evade the law and to escape punish.
ment. (S) Whites and negroes eacf
have paupers to 1000 population
while the whites are GA to / in wealth
and 100 to in good paying positions
(D The negroes die twice as fast as the
whites; but the whites have greater
comforts, and many advantages as re,
CARDS skilled medical attention. (5
The whites have 81 OF / per cent
divorces; negroes, 81 of / per cent
The whites have 1000 years advantage
in civilization, (0 In the whole coun
try there are 25 negroes TO 70 white.
who own their homes; the proportion
should be l negro TO 6 whites. Cd o.
the negro homes, 81 per cent. are free
holds; of the white homes, but Il PEI
cent. 90 or farms owned by negroe,
so per cent. are unencumbered o
those owned by whites, but Il per cent