Smyrna times., 1902-02-19
[coMMUNICATED.l
The Free Library and the Negro.


In some of the communications ref
erences have been made to something,
and what that something was, 1 did
not know until informed by some of
the older citizens of the town that it
was the use of the library by the ne
gro. was surprised when 1 found
out that it was this question more than
the expense of the library that was dis
turbing the minds of our citizens.
In order to get at the question prop
erly, let us look at the evil or evils re-
sulting from Free Library and then
the good.
First, as to the evils. am frank to
since there are some things suggested
as possible evils in the communications
let us look at those. One of the sug-
gestions is this "If the environment
will practically exclude him the tax
payer] from attendance, how can he be
Justly taxed for this object But if he
1.-THE 'Bugabos'] does appear, as no
doubt he will, then will the Smyrna
Free Library be laid upon the shelf
sure enough" In another we find
this: ''If we enter any free library we
are likely to find motley group, often
nnwashed and unkept, in the period
ical room, and a lot of women aud
youths hunting among the fiction
shelves" Some objectors think the
Library would not be patronized by
those who need it most. 1 would refer
them to the two quoted above.
After a careful examination of the OBJ
jections, considered of such great
weight as to "lay upon the shelf" a
Free Library. we find them to be this:
An unwillingness on the part of the
white citizen to be in the same room
with the black citizen when reading
and receiving books or unwilling to
read periodical or book which black
citizen has handled or read.
We have never heard of any white
person Objecting to the purchasing of
goods in the same store at which a ne
gro deals. Nor do we object to eating
the food prepared exclusively by ne
gro. Yet all classes come into oul
stores and work in our homes while
only those interested in education
would be found in our reading rooms
or handling our books. Are not those
interested in education less likely t.
be Objectionable than the crowds who
come into our stores?
AS to the benefits. The above OBJ
, jectors suppose that the negroes will
J be found in large numbers in the libra
ry. l hope so. That is what the Ere,
Library is for, to help those who are
not able to buy good reading matter
The hope of the negro race lies il
= its education. Can there be less in
expensive way devised to help tkos
. negroes who would like to be educate,
1 than Free Library? Education i
/ changing the negro race from a race O
D dependents to race of producers. l
j will only be few years when throug1
l education the burden of taxes born
j by the white people will be largel
. shared by the negro. A Free Librar
e will aid very much in bringing thi
s about. If the negro can be induced t
r read, his place in society will soon b
g greatly raised. He will see and ur
r derstand the thoughts and feelings {
l. the white race. He will believe hi
/, will divine, and use the energies store
o up in his nature to develop that will
d AS user of the ballot, the use will /
much more intelligent if access is ha
k to the histories with which a Ere
le Library will abound.
2 Free Libraries will aid the negro il
IL tellectually and thus help him mat
Ii rally, socially, and politically. Spa
y forbids a thorough discussion.
ct conclusion, let me say, if we as cit
zens of Smyrna have not risen abo1
II the point where race prejudice forbiC
in our supporting what will be for IL
D, public good, let us vote against Fir,
be Library on Feb. 25th. But if we b
" lieve in helping those who are wortI
n of being helped let us vote for a Fir,
lie Library and leave the matter of ma
aging the Library to the Town Libral
Commission. JOHN p. BURDETTE.