New-York tribune., 1900-12-02
THE RACE PROBLEM.
A sOUTHERNER ON HOW THE CONDI-
TION OF THE NEGRO MAY
BE BETTERED.
TO the Editor of The Tribune:

TO the Editor OF The Tribune:
Sir: The existence of a race problem Is now gem
orally recognized. and. the evidence comes 10 US
from many sources the pressing need Tor hlIe'n-
gent treatment with a view to its remedy Is more
clearly shown. Hitherto the treatment mas Oeeh
by the disqualified politician, who has so tar oD-
scured the issues that the first effort must De "
clear away the rubbish which prevents our hhuihs
any firm footing, of building upon any '
foundation The politician north Of the Fotoi1iao
accepts the view of the dominant party ana '"i'S
endeavors reconcile the conditions eAlstns 10
day with those Of generation ago anu IaS
throw any light upon the canvas Ke1uslhs' % 10
does. to recognize the errors eommi''eu oy ~
"carpetbag gger" of that remote perlod' nc AaIi9 W
come to any intelligent conclusion OF 10 Heip
others 10 do so His Southern contemporary also
a professed politican-with more knowledge anu
II possible less candor-fnds IL exponent not ~
take the public too far into his confidence lest
party interests suffer, and he too talls 10 oehent
the cause Of enlightenment.
Our first effort i'm the South should be to uphold
the Reign of Law" There must be for all full
measure of protection, and the weaker and more
helpless the individual race the greater the
need We must look to the Caucasian for begin
ming and to the we'll disposed negroes for cooper
alton II is a favorable sign that an overwhelming
ma Ority of the negroes favor the cause OF law
and order; and II encouraged to act they will aid
in the upholdng of law. But the negro has right
to expect from the ruling race that IT rule wisely
and well: that. SO long as he obeys law, the law
shall protect him; that MS nome ShdI De as Tree
from invasion as though It the home of the
proudest in the land If assured of this ne
would more readily cooperate in the detection of
criminals of his race, who under present conditions
are hidden and protected in nearly every cabin
The average negro seems TO look upon existing law
as a species Of tyranny, and resistance TO it's en-
forcement proper assertion of his claim to be-
ing a freeman. Strict observance of law is a need
for both races. The unnamable crime by negro
orutes must cease. Whatever penalty seems to a
tn he
made the legal penalty and should be applied We
cannot expect the to respect law if we fail to
consider it, Our race has often failed to
and it is the Caucasian he must look for them.
We can reform and improve the vicious renting
system now In general use. ana proVlde that the
industrious negro shall have the home which by
reap the fruit of his labor.
lons as gFea our or Cities ars ed With IDLE Sicous n
clean men women and children OF both races;
and physical diseases To clear out the slums ana
where subsistence and health will be the return
for labor. and where natural conditions will exist
solution. only of race question. but of
much n % Which VII & now hea;hy ss N % m
rectton OF enabling the negro to solve his own
problem in the only possible way
The negro is more capable than We thought him
to be. not only in the workshop. but in nearly
the best possible type of the practical educator
PauI Dunbar another OF the race mas developed p
men are called upon to lead their race into land
where proper adjustment can be made and the
race elevated.
Much of hindrance has come to earnest workers
in the South by reason Of interference Of and
women at a distance who desiring the best for
the race. have inspired them with false hopes of
prosperity without effort their part, they
have too patiently waited for the forty acres and
the mule. and when this has failed to materialiZe
all hope has vanished. This problem must be
worked out by the efforts Of the dwellers in the
South. At present I'm the South the children-white
soon they come to years of 'indiscretion' they
begin to throw rocks at each other There is no
lesson for the South is one Of tolerance for the
Be to his virtues very kind
Be 10 his faults little blind.
Encourage him I'm welldoing; protect him against
Injustice. Make penalty certain for his msdeeds.
The greatest need of the negro Is that he should
cultivate among his people more regard for good
and they too often do not deserve his respect.
Children are usually the victims of harsh. tyTanni-
cal treatment seldom we'll reared These two diff
culties removed would mean the regeneration of a
race
We should not send the negro away. but induce
in him the desire 10 go; prepare him by education
for the migration When this begins, even though
not more than 10 per cent avail themselves of the
would proceed to cOnsumma tion. At present the
negro is without nationality, tradition incentive
Once imbued with a belief that he has mission to
perform In leading his people out into a pleasant
land. he Will grow more and more into the perfect
stature of better manhood; so that from his evil
days there may come COnSummatiOn OF he best
hopes of those who believe him capable of success
fully working out the intricate problem presented
by his condition. In this work he needs in
teligent co-opera ton of all who desire coming
of the kingdom of righteousness upon earth
There is but one solution of the Negro Prob
lem" We need TO change point OF view and TO
face the inevitable to east the conservative beam
out of our mortal eyes, that may see clearly
how to prevent friction and to compass the way Of
Atlanta, Ga. Nov a. 1900