The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-24

stances modify the process Of that Ge-
velopment, and to properly estimate tAe
advancement or decadence OF people,
il is necessary to l4ow the eoochal pc
riods of their history, the elements OF
their heredity, the environments OF thelr
life, and, in short, all the factors affect
ing their mental, moral and physical con-
stitution.
In our midst, and in daily association
with US of the South, there lives a peo-
pie, the study Of whose racial history and
development claims the interest. II not
the enthusiasm, Of every scientinc student
OF medicine and sociology.
NEGRO POPULATION.
Two hundred and fifty years ago an un-
tutored savage and q native of the West
Coast of Africa, with fifty generations OIL
unalloyed savagery behind them, then
slave in America from 1920 to 1860, and
now, for thirty-five years, freedman
with all the high responsibilities and
duties OF a citizen of this continent. Such,
in brief, is the history of that peosle,
nation literally born in q day, of wh!ch
I would speak to you this evening, peo-
pie whose every step In the progress OF
development has been followed by the
eager eyes of a wondering world
At the time of the first census in 1890
there were only 697.S9 negro slaves in the
United States. but the next census Will
probably show that there are nearly eisht
million negroes in the Southern States,
and nearly ten million in the United
States, a population lacking but two NIL
lion of being as large as the whole poou-
lation of Mexico, and nearly twice as
large as that of Canada.
Naturally, in the investigation OF the
racial history and tendencies OF THIS geo
pie, there must be much Of interest TO en-
chain the attention OF the student Oh
sociology and political history, but, rele-
eating to others the task of discussing the
many vexed questions embraced in the
so-called negro problem, the alienlst ana
student of scientific medicine may well
enquire with me: What Has Been the
Effect Of Freedom Upon the Physical and
Psycholosical Development of the Negroes
Of the South?
Has it been damaging, or otherwise?
Has the negro since emancipation. the
critical and epochal period of his history
improved his physical health and mental
and moral condition, or has ne retro
graded both physically and mentally?
NEGRO OF THE PAST.
To answer this question inteiligently
and authoritatively. it is necessary TO
know accurately the health OF the negro
prior to emancipation, and, also, some
thing of his mode of life, as well as some
thing of his natural and inherited tenden-
cies.
Unfortunately for US, as some writer has
said: "Tne South has made much history,
but has written iittle,' and, consequently.
exact data as to these points are obtain
able only from widely scattered authori-
ties, but the consensus of professional
opinion seems, unquestionably, to be, that
the negro during slavery enjoyed a re-
markable immunity from disease. Indeed,
it is doubtful, says DR.. Miller. if any race
OF men '.ever lived under better hygienic
restraints, or had governing their lives,
rules and regulations more conducive to
physical health and mental heoose Their
habits a life were regular, their food and
clothing were substantial and sufficient
as a rule, and the edIct of their masters
restrained them from 1romiscuous ex-
cesses and the baneful influences of unre-
stricted indulgences
Irnder these environments the negro had
M +hougtt for the morrow nor did the
claims Of family and household press upon