The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-09
ooNpEMns NneRo EpucAr1oN.

The newspapers of the North have been
giving much attention lately to the
negro problem, and since the outbr eaks
in New York and Akron, O., the tons Of
the press has been less harsh in is refer
ence to the whites of the South. Instead
Of wholesale and reckless condemnation
of Southern white people. there has APP
peared serious and courteous purpose
to inquire into the real causes of the
race troubles. This has met in several
instances a courteous response from
Southern gentlemen who have written
some very sensible views for publica-
ton in the North
One of these gentlemen. writes from
Maryland to the Chicago Journal most
interesting communication. in witch he
takes the ground that too much oduca-
ton is spelling the negro. Let tie
negroes voluntarily abandon the ballot
and the public schools, and betake them
selves to Industrial pursuits is, III bli f,
the remedy suggested. Education ard
exaggerated notion of his eedom have
useful occupations, AYERS this ccr1esp IN
useful occupations AYERS this co;Iespon
dent, who adds:
Every state of the South is suffering
at this minute for the services of the
negro in the house and in the field. He
has been educated to believe that he can
live on soft snaps suited TO his wits. and
that the straight-cut manual labor of his
fathers is no longer ~ecessity for him.
He consequently lives on political crumbs,
small jobs, sharp practices, and beg
ging, unless he is a downright criminal.
This is the condition of the negro masses
as a whole. The Industrious and prosper
Gus negroes are the exceptions"
This indictment Is not unjust Wren II is
considered that it will apply with equAl
force to Thousands of white youths Who
disdain all kinds of honest manual labor
because they imagine that education is
simply the vehicle for Grabbing one 20
live by his wits. Temptation TO yield 10
this view of educa ton IS even stronger in
the negro than in his white bro her, and
then, too, the negro has Ia k d tie e.
ample and admorition to help HIM resiss.
AT least one prominent negro educatoc
takes this view Of the situation, Without,
! however, describing it in 50 many words.
| Booker r. WashiEeto is bending prac-
tically all of his energies to fit tie neg. o
for mechanical and industrial work. ard
| he never opens his mouth to talk en- the
! subject of the negro and his III .ure wi h.
| out making a strong Plea for farming as
! an occupation for the race
But there is no need tc condemn educa-
ton Itself in connection VITA industrial
reform. however much there may exist
demand for changes in the educationa
system. Booker Washington Is CHAM
pioning education, but he is educating
mechanics and farmers, not doctors, law
yers and elersymen. TIe impresses up n
| the negro mind that the race is best
adapted to certain Industrial pursuits
which should be followed, and IS not
adapted at all to other lines of work.
and therefore that preparation for a
bread-winning career should follow prac-
ucal lives during school days
1t is safe to predict that Industrial re-
form. and education that will promote it,
win come nearer to solving the negro
problem than anything that has be1n
suggested. Let the frank and calm dis
cussion between the North and South
proceed. 1t will be very profitable.