The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-09-27
the RACE QUESTION.


ht RACE QUESTION.
The Great Froblen Must D. settled By
the Church.
EDIToE CAUCASIAN: II has been
said that the race question in the
south Is Of all questions the most
difficult. have observed the trend
OF events connected with IL FOR q
long time, and have never seen the
proper measures by the proper ones
set on foot that will put the negro
out of reach of any political party
without leaving bitterness behind.
The Popalists' proposition In their
last State platform was q step In
the right direction, but 1t did rot
cover the ground.
Unfortunately the race issue has
been slobDered over and made po-
litical capital OF by political parties
ever since 1t has been question.
To think that politicians will ever
cease to use the negro as stalking
horse so long rs IL proves effectuai
to put them in Office, Is foolish. We
must listen to the politicians on the
negro again this fall in the nation
al campaign, after they have said
that the negro question would be
settled by the passage of the amend
ment. 1t is a lamentable fact that
the church in this State allowed
itself to be brough. down to the
level Of the politicians on the race
issue. This one backward step on
the part OF the church has done
more harm to the morals of the
people than can be atoned for In
many long years. The race issue
Is a great moral issue with but one
side to 1t. There is no political par
ty that Is qualified to dea al with it.
The church should deal with 1t as it
does other great moral questions.
When it does this it will not be led
by the leaders at the head of any
political party. 1t will be led by
the spirit, that guides the church
when 1t does q righteous act.
The elections of 1898 and 1900 are
blots upon the escutcheon OF the
church not because the Democrats
went into power, but because 1t was
a party to the fraud, blood-shed Bit
terness and hatred that character
lied the two campaigns. The church
will suffer until it comes together
as body Of Christian brethren and
undoes some of the wrongs 1t has
been q party to, and as such band
of brethren sets upon foot a plan of
just settlement of the race issue.
The politicians now say that
stopping the negro's vote is not a
settlement of the issue, when be-
fore the election, they said it was.
We have the race question as a
beautiful aspect before US just at
this time.
Mr.. Bryan, the Democratic can
didate for the presidency, is court
ing the negro for his vote, while the
State Democracy claims with Mr..
Bryan that the PHILIPPINES ought to
be free, but say that the negroes OF
the South, after living in civilized
country for over hundred years,
are too low a species OF human be-
ings to be allowed the rights Of cit.
izenship.
If Mr.. Bryan is right the State
Democracy Is wrong. II Mr. Bryan
is wrong the State Democracy is
wrong because it believes in free.
dom abroad and slavery at home
The Republican party's tosition is
more consistent because it seems tC
believe in slavery abroad and free
dom at home.
If the church was to take up thu
race question, it would not adop1
any political partisan methods, bu
would deal with the question al
Christians and not as politicians
Then all political parties woult
have to lay aside the fiddle and th'
bow with regard to the negro.
LINDSEY PURGAsON.
logan g Store, N. c., Sept. 81.