The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-31
A QUESTION THAT WILL SETTLE
ITSELF.

Recent events have given fresh impetus
TO the discussion OF the race and color
question. The country has become so ac-
customed to the frequent lynching of
negroes in the South and the occasional
local outbreaks of what is called "a race
war;" but which is generally nothing more
than a local ARRAY between a few indi-
viduals on both sides, that it does not re-
gard them very seriously-the lynchings.
indeed, are not regarded nearly as seriously
as they should be, for they indicate a con-
dition of lawlessness which, If not remedied,
augurs badly for the future. But these
features of the situation have ceased to
attract much attention. Recent discussion
has been started in the South by the Book
er Washington incident. and here at home
by the demand of a number of white work
men in one OF our industrial establishments
that all of the colored laborers be dis
charged under penalty of a general strike
by the white men. This is an unusual thing
to happen in a Northern State. and will
doubtless be cited by the Southern papers
as evidence that the race question is as
live in the North as it is in the South.
They will be greatly mistaken, however, il
they think the question cuts any figure
I'm the North or that it is not constantly
growing more and more insignificant.
The two phases of the question now I'M
der discussion are entirely different, one
involving what the Southern people call
social equality and the other the right
of the naOrO fn have a wbffa poansc cbonoo
in the way of getting employment and earn
ing wages. For the first it may be re-
marked that from a racial point of view
there is no such thing as social equality
and never can be. 1t is wholly a personal
matter depending on the antecedents, the
education. the training and the views Of
individuals. For many years past there
has been throughout the North a class of
white persons of advanced views and
courageous convictions who were ready to
ignore the color line by meeting educated
negroes on terms OF social equality, just
as is done in all parts of Europe. 1t must
be added. however, thai the number of such
persons in the North is as yet very small.
much the greater number not having yet
outgrown the prejudice inherited from
slavery times. There is this difference.
though, between the North and the South:
that the Northern people respect a per-
son who has the courage of his convictions
in the matter. while the Southern people
despise him. Northern people regard il "a
a purely personal matter which is nobody's
business outside of the immediate parties,
and which does not involve consequences
OF any Importance 10 the public, while the
Southern people cOnstrue it as an insult
to white people everywhere and the be-
ginning of social equality. The latter is a
very foolish view. The time will not come
in hundreds Of years. If ever. that a general
condition of social equality will exist be-
tween the races in this country. but the
number of independent and courageous
white people willing to ignore the color
line and treat individual negroes on their
merits will increase from year to year. as
viii also the number of educated and cult
waited negroes individually entitled to such
treatment.
The other phase of the question is much
the more important Of the two. Social
equality is a bugbear, but the right Of the
negro 10 take employment and earn wages
wherever he can is too plain to be oues-
toned. An aristocracy Of labor would be
! as odious as any other kline Of aristocracv.