The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1903-06-18
kinston Free Press.

kinston Free Press.
In a recent number of The Outlook
DR.. Lyman Abbott, Beecher's sue
cessor at Plymouth church, contends
that both Lincoln and Beecher were
opposed to the policy Of Federal in
reference with the franchise regula-
tions of the Southern States
The contention is set forth that
Lincoln did not believe in universal
suffrage; and that he stated his posi-
tion fully in regard to negro suffrage
in the amnesty proclamation of 1868,
in these words:
"And l do further proclaim, de-
clare and make known that any pro-
vision which may be adopted by
such State government in relation to
the freed people of such State, which
shall recognize and declare their per-
manent freedom, provide for their
education. and which may yet be
consistent, as a temporary arrange
ment, with their present condition as
laboring, landless and homeless
class. will not be objected to by the
National Executive"
Now when the heat and passion
that prevented an unprejudiced de-
termination of those vital questions
of Civil war times is being changed
into better understanding of the
merits of those questions, people are
beginning to see the mistakes that
were made in the settlement that was
then forced.
The great trouble was that people
OF the North and West who could not
appreciate the situationin in the South
attempted to wipe out the race ques-
tion by virtually putting the bottom
rail on top"
They did not reckon with the fact
that the only way to settle the race
question in the South, with it's re-
sulting sectional strife in the nation,
is to in some way bring about a
mutual respect and confidence be-
tween the races.
The negro must respect the white
man and the white man must respect
the negro. There is a proper respect
belonging to each; and all who have
our country's peace and prosperity
at heart should endeavor to culti-
vate that confidence and respect as
the only cure for a great many of our
ills.
Confidence and respect cannot be
imposed from without. They cannot
be established by the bayOnet, al
though the right of suffrage can be.
This healing balm comes only from
within. 1t springs from the conduct
of the races toward each other.
If the negro would earn the respect
and confidence of his white neighbor
he must merit it by his industry, his
integrity, his obedience to law and
order, and his fidelity to the trusts
committed to his care. Political ac-
tivity will never further the interests
in question; but according to the
teachings of experience such activity
merely widens the breach. The So
called education of the negro as it
appears in many instances today,
will not engender respect and conf
dence. This is simply because, broad
ly speaking, negro education-as is
largely the case with white education
has not taught the negro to do
anything-and industry, in this age,
is the foundation of all respect and
confidence.
Again, if the white man would have
the respect and confidence of the ne
gro, he must deal with him fairly,
Justly and honorably at all times.
The lawless element must be restrain
ed and tho rirht Of tho negro to the
unmolested enjoyment of the fruits
of his industry must be scrupulously
respected.
This solution of the question, there
fore, rests with the two parties neces-
sarily concerned, and forbids outside
interference as meddlesome and mis-
chief-making. Ifmutual forbearance
becomes the watchword, with honor
J able and just dealings at all times
together with u thrifty and indus
trious citizenship, the race question
will not trouble us long.