The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-28
NEGRO CHARACTERISTICS IN
CHANGEABLE.

An exchange says: "A New Jersey
man has d big alligator which will eat
out Of the same dish with tne house
sat without harming the cat Has this
fable any reference to the president and
the coon.-Winston Sentinel.
It cannot for the two cases are not at
all similar, especially in their results;
that is, if the cat really suffered no
harm from the alligator and the second
instance refers to President Roosevelt
and Booker Washington eating at the
Same table. In having Washington to
dine with him the president did that
man a great injury and laid bare one of
the weaknesses of the negro race, an
inherent characteristic of that people
which education cannot eradicate. Up
TO that time this negro was devoting his
time and his energies to the industrial
development and education Of his race
His whole attention vas given to the
work at Tuskeegee college. His highest
ambition seemed to be to elevate his
people. He had the sympathy and
hearty support Of the white people of
the south irrespective of party. His
work had p]rospered and his e~ndeavors
succeeded beyond all expectations. He
was doing a good work and was con-
tent with himself and his surroundings.
But the president STEPS in and by one
act intended as Il Kindness to this negro
man and an evidence Of his friendly
feeling to the ~latter's race. SOILS it all.
panLor U,abiproD from that day he
cam a changed man and MS usefulness
to his race and to the south generally
began to wan From the leader of ne
groeS in their search after useful
knowledge and means by which to bet
ter their conditions, he became the lead
er of a political party at the south in
opposition to the doctrine Of white su-
premacy for the southern states. BY
leaps and bounds he has risen to the
position of chief adviser 10 the president
regarding federal appointments and the
policy of the administration in these
states: at least he SO considers him
self and is so considered by the public
generally, which is the same SO far as
it's effect upon the point in questionable
inability of the negro TO Withstand the
glamour and excitement Of politics.
Had Booker Washington been n white
man invited under similar circum-
stances to dine with thz president he
woul have asked himself two ques-
lions before accepting the invitation:
What Is the presidents object? What
effect will an acceptance have on me-?
- 49,
tons in all their bearings and would
have probably ended in declining the in
vitation- Washington locked only to
the present. F1attered by the invitation
he did not think of declining. He had
no thought as to what would be the fu-
ture consequences to himself and to his
people. This is another difference be-
tween the two races which no amount
of education can blot out. Inc present
is sufficient for the negro, ne never
looks to the future. But it * his 9TH
er characteristics, his complete ina
biiity TO keep his head when ex-
allied above his normal sphere in life.
fully demonstrated in the case of
Washington, which marks mm as in
ACIHOE W In "hAlC hlih III III AtAAiS
pertaining to the higher duties OF citi-
Zenship. 1t is the gItter of the gold
and not the intrinsic worth Of the sub
stance that attracts tie eye and de-
lights the mind of the eyre.
Had President Roosevelt known
any thing about the characteristics Of
the negro and had any regard for his
welfare he would not have extended
that Invitation to Washington. He re-
lied too much upon what h thought
education had done for the latter, but
he touohed a spot in that neS1o's men,
tai composition which no amount of
education would ever reach By that
invitation the president ruined a good
Instructor of negroes i'll industrial pur-
suits and made a poor politician OF him
Washington is less to tiame a the
president, for with his negro charac-
teristics it would be almost n miracle
for him to have withstojG tie tempta-
tons thrown in his way. II could not
be expected OF a man of his race,
whether he be an illiterate laborer or
an educated president of q college. the
inherent quality is there N will ever
remain, uniting him for competition
with the white man IT rising to his
Level.