The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-08-18

so ominous an aspect as the negro
problem, The apparent growing bru-
tally of the American negro and the
unquesuonahle rapid growth Of preju-
dice against him. resulting in radical
anti-negro legislation and in the con-
tinual increase in frequency and vio-
lence Of public uprislngs, portend an
Inevitable future climax
We, of the North, in our supercillous
ego,ism, expect lynching bees in New
Orleans and other centers Of anti-lm-
perialistic Democracy. but when inno-
cent negroes are hauled from street
cars by an angry mob in New York
City. and with difficulty rescued by
a squad Of police, with ropes already
fastened about their necks and after
having their faces perforated by hat
pins In the hands Of representative ladies
OF our metropolis. simply because they
are black and men OF the same color
have committed brutal outages re-
Gently in the same city. then We may
well begin to inquire whether we are
a civilized or even sane people
The extreme nervous temperament OF
the American people is responsible for
these inhuman outrages. which diner
from the crimes OF the Boxers only In
that the former are the product
az the overwrousht nerves OF too-highly
strung organizations and the latter the
product Of cold-blooded. unreined bar
bsrity. Strange it is that results 50
similar spring from sources so anti
podal.
But such things could not happen
in a British community. not because
OF superiority in the British character.
but because OF vast difference in tenn
permanent. Where the Brltisher has
settled among the darker races he is
hated for the naughty insolence of his
treatment of the natives. which differs
vastly from the easy-going familiarity
Of the average American in times Of
calmness. But the English are respec-
tors Of law. and the life Of the native |
of India under British rule is as safe |
as that Of an Englishman. though he |
receives many a harsh word and blow
from his lordly master. Consequently
the English are, as rule, hated and
respected by the darker races among
whom they mingle, while the negro is
last learning that we deserve neither
MS regard nor his respect.
The increase Of desperate deeds Of
rhine by negroes who appear utterly
'egardless of all laws. human or divine,
nay we'll be in a large measure attri-
'uted to the bitter lessons we have
aught them. As consciousness that he
viii receive justice in the courts incul-
ates in the mind Of the Hindu respect
or law and order. may It not be that
he consciousness that there is no JUS
Ice in America for a negro embitters
i'm and leads him to commit serious
rime?
The whole race problem is one which
ppears far from a solution; and, like
Il other deficiencies in public morals,
he crime Of the negro and the crime
his assailant can only be prevented
y the mental and moral education Of
ne individual members Of both races
hat any system Of education can re-
love the American tendency to sense
IS mob violence under great excite
lent is extremely doubtful. necessltat-
lg. as it would, the complete reorgan-
.ation Of the common nervous tenn
erament. or. what would be equally
enedcial. the supply of an inexhausti-
lie fund Of self-control