Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-13
THE SOUTH ON TRIAL.

THE SOUTH ON TRIAL.
Coincidentally with the renewal In Repub-
ljcan circles at Washington of the tax
about reducing the South's representation
in ConSress-and hence her electoral vote
because of the restriction OF negro suf-
fraee in this section the Boston Herald
has striking article indicative OF the
change OF Northern sentiment respecting
the Souths policy in dealing with the
man and the brother as a political factor.
Ten years ago such an article would not
Rave been dreamed of by a paper OF the
lIera!ds antecedents anG environments.
Under the caption, The South on Trial.
cur contemporary discusses the question
from the broadcast possible standpoint,
and it's record and Its influences sur
rounding it considered, there is no room
&, duilb, that it reflects III large measure
a popular view-a view which, accord
ing to our observation, has been crystal
izing among the saner and more intelligent
elrIehts nj C H::'n Tor some Tune.
The Herald starts out with the statement
that when the Southern States, one after
another, took radical steps to eliminate
the negro race from political influence,
even as voters, and the Republican party,
after protest more or less earnest, in the
several States, yielded assent to what
was accomplished, the conditions
seemed as unfavora BILE for the future pro-
Gress of the colored race in the South as
at any time since emancipation" And
the principal reason for this gloomy view.
our conte :nporary sets forth, was the fear
that the loss Of suffrage by the negro
portended also the loss of education and
other opportunities dear to the race
In saying that the Republican party
yielded assent TO what was accomplish
ed the Herald admits that protest is
confined to the comparatively few self
seeking and self-exploiting political aSi-
tators who think that they can make cap
ital for themselves by posing as the
champions of the negroes rights, and
n.isr-prcscntng the South 1t comedies.
nay vireually asserts that the people behind
the leaders are recognizing that North
ern interference in the negro problem is
q
est of the race lies III the working out
of the Southern policy, especially since 1t
has been made clear that restriction Of
suffrage does not mean loss of education.
but stimulation to the negro to take an
education and otherwise qualify himself
to vote. This concession the Herald
makes in the following language:
1.-The nation has arrived at the opinion
that the great problems involved IL The
living together here OF races SO diverse
IS The cInrcd lace AID he white race
cannot be settled sumlnIrily. One genera
ton has not concluded the matter. II may
take the wisdom OF three OF vi live bcI.'re
the social, economic ana p.iltlc,il CUES
tons invol\ ed are let:rMiu,d OH basis
that will be community ;,diud;sed right.
The significance OF ali the recent develop
n,.nts IS that The South is hencetol IN u
wreStie with the matter in freedom-not
under coercion-at least until it has had
fair chance to show its ability to solve
the problem in accordance with humanity
and justice"
Not only in that declaration, but else
where ana more specifically in its article
put the responsibility for the nesro's fu-
ture advancement and happiness upon the
White people of the South and the Demo
ecratic party of this section. Unquestiona-
bly, there is where the responsibility
broadly speaking-will rest, if the Norm
will hands off, But it is responsible
ity the Southern whites and the part,
have courted for years and they will ac-
cept it gladly, in full confidence that the
South will come out of the trial vindica-
ted as to all she has maintained respect
ing the CRIME of wholesale negro suffrage
and the wisdom OF leaving her to solve
The negro problem, not only as regards
Its political phase, but as it involves the
general welfare of the negro. The Herald
could not do the country, the negro race
and the cause Of good government and
peace and order at the South a better ser
vice than by encouraging the North to
unload upon us the entire responsibility
of solving our negro problem. and contlnu-
ing to give cold comfort to the implaca-
bles who would reduce the South's repre-
sentatlon in Congress, If they could.