The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-10
The White Mans Ward.


 That the race problem is to be, and only
 can be, solved by the white people of the South cannot be denied. And in under taking this mighty work-a work demand ed of us by the law not only of self-pro-
 tection, but of patriotism, morality and
 rcligion--we are compelled to take away that weapon placed in the hands of the
 ignorant and illiterate slave by an un- scrYpulous and vindictive enemy-the Republican party, and taught to use 1t
 with such effect as to bring disaster upon his former master and also upon himself. That being accomplished, the change in
 the relative positions of the white and
 the black has undergone most radical
 change. and that change has placed an additional obligation upon the people of the South, which as they live up to it, will hasten or delay the solving Of this important problem.
 The negro Is not responsible for his
 presence in our midst. We forced him here against his will and in captivity be- sides. He is with us, and to stay. It is vain and useless to discuss the question as to whether he Is beast; as to wheth- CT or not he has soul. We can see from a long life of contact, experience and ob- servation with the negro that his upper strata display at least as much evidences of humanity, if not more, than do the
 lower strata of the Caucasian no matter whether We take the Teutonic, the Anglo Saxon, or any other branch of the race as | a specimen It does not matter that the negro has made but little or none Of the
 
 of it's railroads. except as the day la bOrer; that he has contributed but little or nothing to its literature; that he has not illumined the pages of its genius; that for two and a half centuries he lived in
 slavery and has never struck blow even for his own liberty; that while the Blue and the Grey made the world re- sound in the most desperate shock or arms in ancient. maedival or modern times, contesting the question as to whether he should be bond or free, he took no part in it. but to stay at 'Ole Marster's'' home and protect ms family; even to the sacrifice of his own life and to furnish the world it's most remarkable instance and example of unseihsh hdellty on the part of the whole human race; he Is with us. part of our citizenship, a human being, endowed with the same human sencos-touch taste. smell sight and hearing, and with speech that we
 possess. He has still all the duties of citizenship that we have. lie must pay taxes, obey the laws and perform all the other duties of citizenship in his pur-
 suit of wealth and happiness He has the same rights and privileges under the law | that we have, save one ana one only | the right to vote.
 When this one right, the main cause of | friction between the two races. was taken | from the negro the white man ansoroed | it. and from that instant the white men | of this State assumed sacred trust. We | have a solemn trust to execute We owe him justice, fairness honesty and hu- manitv We are hOnor-hOund to give him the best government 1t is in our power to give We must throw the full protection of the law about him and his. and the color line must forever disappear in the administration of law in our courtrooms We are due this to him because in taking away his privilege of suffrage and there by assumed the guardianship or all hlS
 rights under the law, the negro has be-
 come the ward of the white man, and as
 we conduct such wardship with honor,
 justice and fairness, the sooner We will
 solve the race problem satisfactory to all.