The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-10-08
SEGREGATING THE NEGRO.

LING TILE NESUIO'
AS result of the count made by the
census bureau of American people by
race, sex and nativity, it appears that the
colored population of the country shows
considerable percentage of decrease
proportionately. That decrease is NEST
marked in the border states, and the con-
clusion seems to be apparent that the
race is disposed to seek either the gulf
| communities or to drift toward the North.
The first count made, that OF the year
1880, showed a percentage of 1927 of
first enumeration showed the largest pro-
portion, the last the least. The decrease
in the intervening years has been steady
and unbrolen. In only four of the South
it was in 1880, viz: Alabama, Arkansas,
Florida and Mississippi. In many of the
Northern states the proportion has in
creased, but it is so small with reference
to the whole that it does not greatly aneet
general results. The great cities of the
North and the cotton fields of the gulf
region are the two directions toward
which the race seems to be directed.
The result thus shown indicates that the
colored people are adopting that means
Oh settling the race problem which seems
pest to them. The legislation adopted
generally throughout the border states
tending to exclude the negro from the
"alloe is operating as it might be ex-
pected to operate in those communities.
But its operation presents to view but
one phase of the general subject. In the
gun states the negro is practically ex-
ciuoed from the ballot and has been 50
excluded for a longer period and even
more effectively than in the border states.
1t will probably be found that # is the
part-breed negro who. is drifting toward
the big cities of the North. while it is
his full bred brother who is seeking his
future in the region to which at least
from the consideration of climate. he
is best adapted.
In the segregation of the race on this
continent will probably be found the
nearest approach that is ever likely to
be reached of the problem which the
presence of the negro in American society
presents. The plan which is outlined in
the press dispatches of yesterday look
ing to the establishment of negro COL
ony on Long Island may safely be dis,
missed as mere personal scheme
without any substantial merit to it.
That scheme is given in outline as con-
templating a segregation of the negroes
of the country in certain Long Island
counties. Neither the auspices under
which the movement Is said to be start
ed nor any of the attending circum-
stances indicate that it is worthy Of a
moments consideration.
The drift among the negroes them
toward segregation. There is ample
room for them in the gulf region as
there is in the South and Central Ameri-.
can countries. The report sent out
some time since CnaC Lnere was move
ment looking toward their location in
great numbers in Mexico may also be
dismissed as unworthy of serious consid-
Grafton.
The need of such a movement, in
volving the substantial elimination of
the negro from the social life of the sew
eral states, and his location in some To-
cality to which he is especially adapted
within the United States, where he
might be allowed to follow the occupa-
tons for which he is especially fitted
must sooner or later force itself on the
national attention as the most likely
means of disposing of the race ques-
ton, to the advantage of black and
white alike. Until the lea1ers of the
colored race give serious thought to
some such means of adjustment, The
hostility between the races which IS
showing itself in every section of the
country must give all reasonable men.
black and white alike, serious considera-
ton.
The president is going to reconstruct