Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1901-11-14
THE SITUATION.

A few days ago, William F. Green
we'll, one of the most reputable and
highly respected citizens of this
county, was. walking down one of
the streets of Leonardtown when he
heard the most vile epithets directed
at all democrats. The words came
from a house occupied by colored
people and as Mr.. Greenwell was the
only democrat in sight he naturally
assumed that the cursing was di-
rected at him. Several other Incl
dents of like character have lately
occurred around this town, but as
in the other incidents the persons
sought to be insulted were ladies'
we refrain from mentioning names.
1t is an old adage that persons who
seek trouble invariably find it, and
il would seem that certain of our
colored population are hunting trou-
Bile. To theScredit of the older col
ored people, be 1t recorded, none OF
them appear to be acting sofoolishly.
They are law abiding, respectable
and respected. 1t is the younger
generation that is bringing on trou-
BILE, of which no one can tell what
will be the result. 1t is a pity that
some decent colored man with ca
pacity TO lead does not make the eff
fort to induce the younger genera
ton of his race to adopt different
course from the one into which they
are fast drifting. The colored PEG
pie are in this community, they are
in a large measure dependent upon
the white people and they stand
greatly in their own light when they
do everything possible to incite the
whites against them.
What is the present status of the
negro in St. Mary S? Is headvanc'
ing on the road to good citizenship
and material prosperity or is he re.
trograding Upon the answer tt
these questions his future depends
II he is retrograding, for his owr
sake and the sake of the county it is
time to call halt. There is ne
sentiment or politics in the matter
Men should look at the question dis
passionately and calmly.
The advancement of a people j.
determined by the capacity OF tn,
coming generation to take and I'll
the positions occupied by the gener
alton passing away. If there be ad
vancement, the coming generation
must excel the old. In the case II
question, does til Is there among
the younger colored people as man.
good mechanics as among the old
To specify, is there among the young
err colored folk one who promises {,
make as good carpenter as Georg
Swailes as good a wheelwright a
William Blackstone as good stone
mason as George Smith; as goot
blacksmiths as John G. Stewart ant
William E. Sommerville; as fine
stair builder as was Benedict Neale
And these instances might be mul
tiplied over and over. If the ques
ton cannot be truthfully answered
in the affirmative, the sooner hal
is called in the present course, thu
better il will be for the st. Mary
colored people. Education of itsel
is little good It is the application
of education to the affairs of every
day life that counts. Politics anC
voting do not advance people in ma
terial prosperity, In truth, excess
of politics seems to unfit men for tn,
practical duties of life.
This article could easily be ex
tended far beyond the limits of {
newspaper leader. We have but en-
deavored to condense afew thought,
on this subject, so as to call atten
ton of thoughtful men to a condition
that confronts them. Whatever W,
may say will have no weight anC
obtain no consideration among tn,
mass Of colored people of this coun
ty. But we consider we have nc
complished some good, if we can in
fuenee a few of the best of the rae,
TO stop awhile and think over tn,
situation as it really is, The pres
ent is the opportunity of lifetim,
for some colored man of force anC
character to give to his race a direc
ton that will elevate and improve i
and divert il from the dangers tha
menace it.