The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-12-05
SOCIAL EQUALITY.
Some Very High Authority.

| ~OOAAA oX OAAA4 L
Some Very High Authority.
DUTY OF CH R1ST1AN PEOPLE.
(Continued.)
The Biblical Recorder has sent out
letter to a number of prominent mer
in the South concerning the question
of social equality. Below We print th,
letter and another answer:
Dear Sir and Bro.-In view of the
general recognition on the part of th.
Christian people of the Christian obli
cation to treat the colored people kind
ly and helpfnlly and, on the othel
hand, in view OF the profound aversion
to social equality, will you endeayor te
form a statement for the Biblical Re
corder of what you conceive to be the
right and reasona ble attitude for Christ
ian white people toward the members
of the colored race?
The question is put to few OF our
leading men with view to finding q
clear statement to the attitude OF the
Christian people of the South.
An early answer will greatly oblige
me and / think the symposium will
haye good effect in every way.
FROM HON. W. J. NoRTHEN, Ex Gov
! ERNOR OF GEORGIA, AND PRESIDENT
| OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST
| CONVENTION.
It il not an easy matter to "form a
brief statement" on so important a
matter as your inquiry submits-"in
view OF the profound aversion to social
equality, what is the right and reason
able attitude of Christian white people
| towards the members of the colored
racer"
The proper solution of the negro
problem Is going to require all the in
telligence, patience, grace and conser-
vatism that we can possibly put into
it. We should study and know our
duty and, then, in the love of the
Lord and in loving consideration for
the negro, do our best to meet the de-
mands we find are made upon US.
So far as know we are the first
people in all history to meet just the
conditions that confront AS. The ele-
ments of these conditions are quite
we'll known to the people at the South,
at least, and they need not be consider
ed here. They should however, be
kept in mind whenever we are to de-
eide such questions as you are now
seeking to have discussed.
Leaving alone our local conditions,
it is fitting to say that the African
makes a marked and very distinct race.
In this relation he stands peculiarly
by himself. He makes one extreme of
the races while the Caucasian stands
at the other. He is black, thoroughly
black the Caucasion Is white,
thoroughly white. The primary ques-
ton in your inquiry is, shall these two
races be brought together and made
into oneY 1t is certainly long dis
tance to bring them even though they
meet half way.
1t has been argued, by distinguished
authorities. that this would be the
best way to prevent race prejudices and
the most effective plan to suppress race
conflicts. Winchel, in his Preadamltes
controverts this proposition most suo-
cessfully It is further true In our exper-
fence, that the most turbulent people |
we have among us are found In the
mixed races. These are the ones who |
lead in race conflicts and race disturb |
ances.
Better than the opinions of the ad-
yocates of miscegenesis and better than
the experiences of those who have suf-
fered from its lndiscrimlnate practice, |
are the plans and purposes OF the Al
mighty as manifested In the creation. |
He created these two, and I have new
er vet seen where He has ordained |
that they shall, at any time, become
one. In this creation and the subse- |
ouent silence, we must believe God
had plan and purpose, and these are
distinct and positively pronounced.
Not only does this difference obtain
az to the color of the skin, but it is
quite as pronounced in the distinct
conditions. The negro
is positively distinct from the white
man, in disposition, preferences. desires,
habits and temperament. The two do
not think alike, nor can they be made
to do so until they are made over
again. These differences are constltu-
tional. God has placed the other races
of mankind In between these two. II
the plans of the Almighty are to be
respected and preserved to the end,
rDIN kNA