New-York tribune., 1903-05-29
NEGRO SOCIAL EQUALITY.
A Native White Citizen of the South Con-
troverts Senator Simmons
the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Senator Simmons. of North Carolina. was
one Of the speakers at the third annual banquet
given at the Waldorf-Astoria on the 10th INST
by the North Carolina Society Of New-York City
MIR. Simmons. responding to the toast. 'The Race
Problem in the South" talked at considerable
length. displaying the characteristic spirit and
method Of the Southern demagogue. presenting to
the society the old bugaboo of social equality"
between the races in the South. and. among other
things, saying:
the South could settle for itself independently Of
far as it is concerned and settled it irrevocabiy
One and all. now and at all times. they refuse as
consider the suggestion OF social equality or social
Intercourse with the negro.
Being of Southern birth and rearing hav-
ing relative who was born and reared north OF
the Ohio River. and being, also. member OF
family that for generations held large number
Of slaves in Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky.
I am prompted make a brief response to MI
Simmons. 1 am familiar with the South and the
Southern people from the Ohio River to New
Orleans. and have given considerable attention to
the race problem in the South, having been for
fifteen years identified with the press of the South
and having therefore repeatedly discussed the sub
ject Claim TO be pretty good witness, and am
free to say that my testimony is radically adverse
TO the truthfulRess OF every statement uttered on
the subject by Mr.. Simmons.
The fact is that there is not. nor has there ever
a
lem between the white and colored races except
in the imagination Of the old Secession Democrats
who have persistentIy urged the necessity Of a
Solid South" in order to noursh the memories of
the Shareholders rebellion. There has not been in
/ any locality, nor any occasion in the South an
effort the part of the colored TO establish
social equality with the whites nor has there
been in any locality Of the South since the enan-
cipation Of the slaves public expression by mouth
, or by pen from any coloTed man either demanding
or favoring such equality" I challenge Mr. Sim
mons to show the contrary. He cannot do it. and
he knew the moment OF making his speech that
facts existed which to base his crude declara-
| tions
The truth is that the negroes in the South have
depoTted themselves this point much better
than the whites While the negroes have usually
kept their mouths shut saying nothing and doing
nothing TO show desire for social equality. the
leaders of the whites have clustered and vituper-
ated on the subject for forty years. Did you ever
hear Democratic orator in the South discuss any
thing since the but negro equality" free
silver" and free trade? Tie negroes have simply
listened. said little. and then quietly their
way TO vote the Republican ticket, thereby de-
monstratng their Intelligence and their patriotism
This fact is the primary source Of the trouble
It IS interesting fact that the same date
and within few hours prior to the speech made
by Mr. Simmons In New-York address was de-
nvered in the national capitol before the annual
conference of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Afri-
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church by Bishop
George W. Clinton. of North Carolina. in which he
discussed with dispassionate eloQuence and power
the past, present and future of the colored race.
Bishop Clinton a of nigh personal character.
Despite his color he Is able man, intellectually,
as Mr. Simmons and holding, he does exalted
position in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, with its six hundred thousand members,
his public utterances are entitled to credit Now.
see the contrast between the trembling fears OF
Mr. Simmons. clothed in irrational platitudes, and
the manly sensible, dignifed and truthful declara-
ton of Bishop Clinton. who, referring 10 the
dernagogic social equality bugaboo, said among
other things:
II the white man refuses to mingle with the
negro a social equal he exercises a right, 10
which manly negro will object me negro mas
no desire social equality In fact there is
no social equality.
This utterance Of the coIored bishop received
with marked appreciation by his hearers, and have
taken pains learn that it expressed the unlVer-
sal sentiment Of his race. The social equality
hugaboo which such agItators as Mr.. Simmons and
Others of the South are perpetUally holding be-
Is a miserable s,lbterfuge-a haIucination due
a low grade OF mental disease; and it is time that
true everywhere were eXpeIIng II from Ile
limits of rublfc discussion. II Mr.. Simmons, OF
North Carolina, and his special followers are fear
I ful OF becoming equal to the negro, ,let theh
naa8ce n4e8ces on of their own f ioneliness!
I have thus written as q Southen. born White
their faults and their deficiencies, I believe the
colOred race view of their great progress since
the blessed day Of emancipation, have deserved
the sympathy OF the American white man. re-
gardless OF either party sectional ties; II the
mai could be desired. let US forget their en-.
yironment. but remember that, IN the WORDS OF
the Kentucky author. James Lane Allen, the bud
of liberty was engrafted late the ancient
slave stock bear much fruit They were 9it!y
! bondage which had closed them the door of op-
portunity throughout the South DARED
Washington Nav 26 1903