The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-12
AN ACCOMPLISHED gEGROE,s
VIEWS.

idha oOhIC sCIy SlE1hlDS dItlGlSS were
printed in the Baltimore Sun from CON-
tributors. On the Bird inst. one on ne
gro suffrage appeared. 1t argued that
h negro should not rule Maryland or
this country. and that 1t is the great
est of questions at this time. The con-
tention was that the negro was unfit
for social equality and was wholly un-
fitted to govern the white race. The
writer Of that paper quoted at length
from the admirable address Of North
Cardinals present governor at the re-
cent annual colored fair at Raleigh.
He said Of it by way Of communication:
These words of the distinguished
governor expresses the sentiment of the
white men toward the negro
race. 1t is these sentiments that the
democratic party today is seeking TO
establish n make permanent in Mary
land. But the republicans say: NO!
We must take the negro u brother in
fact as in theory" Thus say the repub-
licans, who owe the negro for the sake
of the vote which is his today. But the
leading negroes do not desire social
equality" '.
The writer ~reproduces fifteen extracts
from a northern colored author relative
to his race, showing the complete infe-
riority of the race. We think the view
in some particulars extreme, and unjust
to a considerable number of the negro
race. But the extracts are from a skill
full pen of one who has been in close
touch with his people and who is be-
yond doubt one of the two or three most
accomplished negroes in his country
a man of much higher grade as a writ
er, rs a stylist, than the o~ver-puffed
Booker Washington, who is practical
with much of the common place.
The writer of the excerpts is, we
think. William H. Thomas, who pub
lished a year or so ago a book on
The American Negro" He probably
understands the negro quite as we'll as
Teddy Roosevelt or any other negro
phylist in all Yankeedoodledom. If
not, why not? He writes with consid-
cradle scholarly elegance, and why
should he underrate or malign his own
caste? Clearly he believes in what he
writes, for he has more to lose than to
gain by applying the scalpel Of criticism
rather than the white wash brush of
blind laudation. OF sentiment about
Sambo he says:
There is a disposition among we'll
meaning white persons to sympathiZe
with, apologize for and condone his
raves shortcomings under the plea
that he is ignorant Of his duty and re-
sponsibilities to himself and society.
1t should be needless to say that this
attitude toward the freedman does no
good and is productive of infinite harm.
What he needs is less sentiment and
more sense"
We make q few extracts that we take
to be from the same pointed PEN:
1.-THE negro not only lacks a fair de-
gree of intuitive knowledge, but so
dense is his understanding that he
blindly follows weird fantasies and hid
eous phantoms."
The highest aspiration of negro am
bition is not to acquire the essential
spirit of knowledge. but to initiate me-
chanically what he only succeeds in
caricaturing."
knowledge, refinement, truth n
honor are to the negro's mind acquira-
BILE vestments that may be put off or on
as occasion requires, but which in no
sense work a reconstruction in the ma
ture of a man."
The negro is immora and lazy. His
conscience is dead: his intellect Dense"
Not only do negroes lack the ability
to acquire clear and concise knowledge
of ideas and things. but in that which
they appear to understand there is for
ever wanting Judgment in its use"
\ negro comprehendS the meaning
of the word virtue With him it is a
vocal sound. The same is true of words
like truth, honor and integrity
Negro are only Influenced by flat
tering appeals to passion and vanity;
they ~stubbornly resist everything that
opposes their tastes and i~nclinations.
He treats all racial criticisms as accu-
~sations. His preference for low condi-
tons of life and living i~nterposes ser1-
Gus obstacles to his speedy redemp-
ton"
THE negro has a brutal and morbid
instinct and a domineering spirit, which
utterly unfit the eedm for rational
Self-control."
1.-The negro has neither remorse for
crime no contrition for wrong-dolng.'
There are a great many of the race
of whom better things might be affirm
ed. Even many of the blacks are free
from and above some Of the opin-
ions expressed. Many of the half
breeds or even higher breeds are better
and nobler because of the White infu-
sion of blood. But the man who wrote
the above estimate is no doubt a very
close observer. President Roosevelt
may fraternize and walk arm in arm
and entertain negroes if he will, but his
example will be regarded in the south
more an indication Of social degrade
ton and low standard of taste than an
evidence of noble character and
rior penetration. He may Ia the neg1
shall rule, but if so it must be over sue
as he is, and not such as are his kins-
people in the south. You pays your
money and you takes your choice"
THE VACANT JUDGESHIP