The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-08
Spirit of the Press.
THE REAL QUESTION INVOLVED.
Baltimore Sun.

THE REAL QUESTION INVOLVED.
Baltimore Sun.
1t seems to us that those Northern
newspapers, and some that are not as far
North as they ought to be, in treating
the retention of Professor Bassett in the
faculty of North Carolina college as ii
vindication of freedom of speech are elabo-
rately missing the mark. The question
for the trustees of the college to de-
eide it would seem to us, is a simple Ole,
namely, whether Mr.. Bassett, after the
exhibition he has made of himself, can
be considered a fit man for teacher
whether, after having expressed the sen
timents he avowed In a magazine article
he wrote, he will strengthen the college
which employs him in the confidence OF
the people who patroniZe it? No one de-
MES that Professor Bassett has a per-
feet right to the opinion that Booker
Washington is a greater educator than
Professor LeConte, Professor Toy, Pro
lessor Gildersleeve, Professor Joynes or
Professor Woodrow Wilson, and a greater
all-round man than Stonewall Jackson,
Joseph e. Johnston, Jefferson Davis
James Mason, Judah P. Benjamin or any
of the multitude cf brilliant statesmen,
orators and soldiers whom the South las
produced in the last century. But does
any sane parent desire his sons to be
trained by man who holds such onin-
ions? That is the question. Another ques-
lion is whether the trustees OF the col
lege are faithful to their trust in en-
ploying a teacher who arrays himself
against the people from whom the college
.,1I ~ cynG
public sentiment by the expression of
views which, whether correct or not. he
knows are offensive to the people not only
of The South, but to thoughtful and we'll
informed people of the North as we'll.
1t is difficult TO imagine what standard
Of merit Professor Bassett has III mind.
His eulogy upon Booker Washington's Ell
forts would seem to show that he is On
thusiastic over the Tuskegee educator :
scheme of inducing young persons OF ms
race to acquire useful trades. But il al
effort 10 teach young negroes trades eX-
cites Professor Bassett's enthusiasm, II
this case it is remarkable that he IS 81
lent upon the merits of the planters ut
the South single one OF whom before
the Civil War educated yearly On his
estate more colored youths to productive
industry and good manners than Wash,
ington will so educate in many years.
The college where Mr.. Bassett Is en-
ployed is an institution where tic Coo
trine of the Trinity is taught. That Coo
trine is matter of opinion. There are
thousands of great and pious men who
do not accept it, Would the trustees
of the college be doing their duty it they
employed a teacher who not only dissent
ed from the fundamental doctrine OF their
church, but published magazine articles
assaiiing it? The question answers itself.
Would the discharge of such a teacher
be a denial of free speech? 1t so, then 1T
is manifest that entire freedom of speech
should not at all times be permitted.
When a man goes out of the way to an
taeonize the rest of his own household
he displays a lack of balance, tact and
Judgment that must inevitably impair his
usefulness and the influence OF the inSti-
tuition with which he is connected.
Mr.. Bassett might learn n useful lesson
from that great writer among the Wisest
OF the children of men, namely, st. Paul.
He might learn from that noble gentle
man and Christian that things that are
lawful nay not be expedlent.
When Mr.. BaSSett says mat the leSEo
race is not inferior to the white race he
is expressing an opinion which no we'll
informed or healthy minded man can en-
terrain. His own church teaches that the
races had a common origin and started
even. The civilizing of the world has
been accomplished by the white race
while the black race has not in the thou
sands of years of it's career advanced by
its own efforts one single step from say
agery. All the civilization the negro race
has attained it owes to the slave trader
and the slave catcher. But for these
Booker Washington and all his race now
in the United States enjoying the bless
ings of religion and civilization would be
head-huntng and devouring each cthe
in the iungles of Africa.
The teaching of Mr. Bassett that the
negro is the equal of the white race, that
race prejudice is wicked and that the
Southern people are unjust and wrong IT
their dealing with the negro is the Same
teaching in another form that has excited
the imagination of the negro race, has in
cited them to crime, has disturbed thu