The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-07
NEGROES IN WASHINGTON.


Washington Letter in Philadelphia Press.
There is a fertile field for the study OF
the negro offered to social and political
economists here In Washington. In the nine
ty thousand OF the colored race living in
the District OF Columbia every type Is pre-
sented from the stupidest and most vicious
to the most cultivated and cultured. Few
sections of the United States present more
complete illustrations of the possibilities
Of the negro race than the capital city.
Senator Simmons. OF North Carolina. who
believes in hitching the negro with the
mule. and Senator Tillman. Of South Caro-
lima. who advocates their training by the
means OF q shotgun. might study the col
ored persons of this city with profit. At
the same time, the undiscriminating sym
pathizer Of the colored race can nave his
eyes opened to the depravity. viciousness
and general worthlessness OF those classes
of negroes that have been allowed to grow
up in idleness and without any sense OF
individual responsibility. From the criminal
quarters of Swampoodle and Bloodheld TO
brownstone mansions and refinement Of the
West End Is a far cry, but those two ex-
tremes mark the confines of negro society
In Washington.
The investigator of the negro problem
will find here a class OF that race OF which
comparatively little is known. There Is a
genuine old Washington society among the
colored people and its members seek no
notoriety, scorn TO initiate their white
neighbors and desire no social recognition
from them, but move In their own circle, a
quiet, orderly, cultivated and refined set
of people who compare favorably with the
Caucasian in the same walks of life.
There has long existed a delusion that al
the capital city there is a proud, aristo-
circle admission is seldom gained by The
outsider. no matter how wealthy he may be
or what political honors he may bear. This
society has been diligently sought for. but
has eluded all investigation. There Is nc
'Faubourg st. Germaine" in Washington
society unless 1t be found. among the upper
class of the colored people. The top stra.
tum of negro society Is largely descended
from the four thousand negroes who were
residents OF the Ten Miles square when
That colony furnished the men and women
who, during the last century, have illus
trated the capacity OF the negro for social,
moral and economical progress.
The large number OF free negroes in the
District of Columbia prior to the abolition
Of slavery is believed to have furnished the
material for the Advancement that Is now
revealed in the best class Of the colored
people in this city. The census of 1SS
showed that there were 1851 negroes In
the District. OF whom 6,512 were free and
6,l19 were In slavery. At the time slavery
was abolished in the District of Columbia,
nine months prior TO the proclamation OF
while there were 1886 free negroes in the
District. With this substantial basis the
negro has worked his way into the front
ranks of the professions and leading busi-
nesses in Washington. There are now six
or seven colored business men members OF
the Washington Board Of Trade. There IL
q colored building association, a bank, sew
erai periodicals, besides model schools and
churches, conducted by the colored people
with great success. In many of the churches
the evidences of culture and prosperity are
almost as great as in the fashionable white
churches. The ministers hold high rank In
their profession, and the music attracts
many of the whites, who are courteously
received. but whose presence is not sought
for.
This upper class Of negroes has exclusive
social organizations, the best known club
being the Cessna, made up of business and
| professional men. There Is also a "bache-
iors' club and 1.-THE Assembly" which
gives four balls each winter. There are
many card clubs. and during the season re-
captions, teas and afternoons at home are
observed and conducted with a grace that
would not come amiss TO some OF the So
Gained society leaders among the whites.
These negroes do not appear before the
public demanding recognition. or in long
denunciations Of race prejudice, but go
quietly along attending TO their own bust
ness, and by following the rule OF keeping
to themselves have arrived at their COM
Portable and honorable station. Their sue
cess would seem to invite the Investigation
of students of the race problem.