The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-17

the continuance of slavery would have
ruined the South, economically and indus
trially, few Southern teachers have been
permitted, or have dared, to proclaim the
truth"
All is not lost, however, Professor Minis
has barred his head to the storm The I'M
happy experience of Professor Sledd who
attempted to settle the negro question a
year or so ago, has not disturbed his i'm
pctuous spirit. Sledd may not have
escaped sacrifice on the altar Of Southern
prejudice, but we have the refreshing
assurance" OF Trent, who is writing the
history of this section, not according to
the demands of sentiment, but with the
accuracy of truth" and has gone into a
safe and comfortable harbor above the
reach of the highest Southern storm tides
But what are the tradition, conserva-
tism,. bigotry and prejudice" which, it is
said, "have tied the tongues OF the col
legiate teachers of the South upon some
of it's most burning issues?" Tradition, :"
which takes us back to The beginning OF
civilized government in this country, to
The great men who fought the battles of
'rccdorn, to the noble women who estab-
iished social conditions which have pre-
vailed to this day. to the envy of clean
minded folk throughout the world. Con
servatism," which has saved us from the
social commercial and political degrade
ton OF the free-love section of our COM
mon country "Bigotry" which will not
accept John Brown as the incarnation OF
divine impulses, but regards him as a
common thief and murderer, put to death
by the laws of the country. Prejudice"
which will not accept the higher teach
ing of distant theorists that all men are
born equal and that the negro is entitled
to any of the rights or privileges of citi-
zenship because he is a negro. We must
abandon our tradition, conservatism
bigotry and prejudice for the tradition,
conservatism, bigotry and prejudice of
other States and different peoples; all that
we have in history and life and civiliza-
tion for such contributions and favors as
may be graciously dispensed to us. 1t IL
a familiar trick, far older even that the
gilded Goldfish on the Capitol in Boston.
''And the devil taking Him up into a
high mountain, showed upto Him all the
kingdoms of the world IN a moment OF
time.
And the devil said unto Him, All this
power will I give Thee, and the glory Of
them for that is delivered unto me; and
to whomsoever will, give it.
IF Thou therefore, will worship me,
all shall be Thine
But we are told that Professor Sledd
was removed from Emory College last
year for expressing in print his views on
the negro question" That was too bad
of course, if it really happened Probably
the Emory College authorities did not care
to retain him longer in their service. Ger
tainly they ought to have known better
what was good for the College and the
cause of letters and the social peace OF
the community than the Evening Post.
But if Sledds dismissal was mark OF
prejudice, what about the removal of E.
Benjamin Andrews from the Presidency
af Brown University, Rhode Island, a few
years ago? Was not his removal influenced
by tradition and conservatism and preju-
dice? When the great Louis Agassiz was
approaching his end he suggested that
John McCardy, of South Carolina, was the
most competent man on this continent to
succeed him at Harvard University, and
McCrady was forced to resign because of
the political intolerance and uncongeniai
atmosphere at that noted seat of New
England learning. A gifted teacher in
woman's seminary in Philadelphia, the
daughter Of an eminent South Carolina
scholar and scientist was so insulted by
the Pupils because of her Southern birth
and sentiment, that she reported the mat
ter to the head of the institution. Failing
to get any relief or satisfaction she re-
signed her place. A professor in an Ohio
Collet e, a graduate Of the South Carolira
Colleg, and native of this State, asked tie
immediate discharge of a student who had
lied to him. The president refused to grant
his request, intimating that expulsion for
such offences would have disastrous et-
feet upon the attendance of the college.
Why should the South be damned be-
cause it will not accept the educational
and political leadership of teachers and
preachers, who know more about the
eunuchs in the Court of the Dowager En-
press of China than they know about The
traditions and sentiments of the teachers
and people of the South? What would
it profit us if we gave up all that we have,
or the best that we have, worth cherish
ing and accepted the guidance OF our
critics and slanderers? We do not believe
in what Mr.. Cleveland called the policy of
shooting the gospel into the Filipinos.