The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-04
WHITE MANS DARK SIDE.
He II Generally, but Not
Toward Other Races.

New York Mail and Express.
We are a humane people. We will not
have the animals abused If we can help It.
Our blood boils when we go to Spain. to
Cuba, to Belgium or to Italy and see sadly
overloaded little donkeys staggering along
the streets. When a stalwart Cuban, not
content with putting a great load Of green
grass or vegetables on the ~donkey's back.
climbs up on top Of the load himself and
rolls a cigarette as he rides luxuriously
there. we feel like shooting all the Cubans
we meet.
Yes. We are unquestionably humane-in
certain directions. But there Is that bad
streak in US when it comes TO the treat
ment Of the black and brown races. We
are now completing our extinction OF the
Indian race in our great American domain.
And colored men are baited like bears and
chased like rabbits in the streets OF New
York.
Probably 1t would be strange II this in
solent spirit OF race contempt did not crop
out against Filipino Malays. just as IT has
against American Indians and African ne
groes. But il is rank hypocrisy to treat
il as II IL were something new. strange, in
comprehensible. 1t is not much for SEN
ator Tom Patterson, or any other Western
apologist for massacres OF Indians, 10
make a fuss about. nor for Tillman. OF
South Carolina. the defender of the great
NAAh ~ 10 ~
over.
We are doing pretty well. probably. to be
able to make a humaner record out there
than any European nation has made in
Asia or its islands. or I'm Africa. The whole
white race-not merely the Saxon race-is
subject to strange and cruel relapses after
residence in barbarous countries, and par
t~icularly after long isolation In such lands.
Two parties OF Frenchmen, headed by
young military officers with excellent rec
ords, fell upon each other I'm the SOudan
not long ago after some diecanSfOn and
destroyed each other like packs OF crazy
wolves. Several white explorers have been
overta ken with murderous mania when
they have got about half way across the
| African continent.
There is a certain psychological round
that results in this sort of thing. First
comes inconsistencies, which makes the
isolated wanderer or dweller I'm n lone and
harbarous land desperate, and fills his mind
with dismal views OF everything. That
wears away. and then comes dull resistance
end the triumph OF the original intention to
travel or dwell there. In spite OF everything.
for a purpose, Following that a DISPOSE
ton is aroused to trample on every OBJ
stacle that stands In the way OF the carry
ing out or that purpose The humane
sensibilities ~atrophied. 1reachery Is met
with cruelty. All the old race antagonisms.
quieted by culture, silenced by a common
sentiment of humanity, cry out aloud in
isolated wanderers. or these farthest senti-
nels on the line OF civilization, have COM
Their friends. sitting calmly amid gentle
surroundings at home, wonder how they
could nave done II. They. themselves. Will
some time wonder.
1t Is not good for any creature TO be
alone. Even faithful sheep dogs, pos
sessed OF virtues that shame their mas
tiers. will, IL left alone too long. turn and
run amuck among their charges. making
their own carnival OF slaughter" with a
worse than Colorado massacre. From isola-
ton in the Tagal-haunted jungle; from thu
seclusion OF the grim desert where the ex-
plorers. the surveyors. the herdsmen camp
far from their kindly fellows: from the soli-
tary wastes OF northern SHOWS, where gold
seekers suspiciousiy eye one another when
the provisions run low. may the good Lord
deliver US who want 10 be able always "a
preach humanity and criticize our fellows
that fall below the high-water
mark