The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-09-02
How 10 Solve the Race Prob
lem.

MIR. EDIroh:-A great deal Is being SalW !
and written in regard to the race prob |
lem" Will you be so good as to allow me
to express my opinion on this very vital !
subject;
believe it can be easily solved by in |
stilling morality. poltcness and industry
into every child, both white and coored. | |!
can truthfully affirm that have never met |
II white child in Lancaster County, Of any |
age or size, who could talk, or nod its head. |
but that it would always give me some sign |
OF recognition and pohteness. On the 9th II
hand, while travelling over my county. |
have constantly met Colored children of all
ages and sizes, who We're perfectly able to |
apcak or bow. but lacked common polite |
ness enough TO DO either of these, cousid- |
cr, important things, for the observance Of
them will ever give us n kinder feeling for
each other,
lmpolteness amongst the younger class
of colored people in Lancaster county to-
day is greater and more pronounced than
have ever known it to be. Therefore. !
feel convinced that if these three important
items were thoroughly taught to the chill
dren. that the two races could live together
in this county, and elsewhere. as long aS
time lasts; and also remain aloof from each
other, so far rs social equality is concerned
Otherwise. should this matter of good man
ncrs continue to fall into neglect. fear tor
the future prosperity of the two races in
this country. Politcness is rs we all know
one of the cheapest and greatest things on
earth And nothing in oar lives is more
pleasant and refreshing than true polite
ness. 1t has been said of the French peo-
pie that their poiteness is merely meaning
less habit; and it was remarked that even
politeness from habit. and not from the
heart. was better than none at all, for it of.
ten smooths rough edges. where perhaps
there might otherwise be friction. 1 shall
never forget the notwithstanding lectures,
and good advice given 10 me and my
schoolmates by my lamented friend and
teacher. the late Rev. John s. Croxton.
An ong other things he used to say before
the school: IL wish tc impress upon every
one of your minds the Importance of OBJ
tanning nm education. To do so you must
work hard for it by diligently studying
your books at home as we'll as ut school; do
not loiter away your time coming to or re-
turning from school. If you should meet
any oae on the roadside speak politely and
pass on" Such advice is an index of our
early training by our parents, especially
our devoted christian mothers; and upon
this parent generally devolvcs the princi-
pal home training of the children. My
idea, then, is this: Prepare the heart and
mind first of all by sowing carefully seeds
of kindness, of pol;teness. to all and every
one, and morality and never cease to watch
and cultivate; this is the solid foundation
for literary education. The foremost
thought nowadays in schools and colleges,
aud most especially of the colored race.
seems to be t. cram the young mind with
book-learDing. (which unattended by an
equal moral training, has vitiating ten
dency.
The moral structure is too often left to
rear itself somehow, ssmetime. if only in
cidentally.
We have in Lancaster county some OF the
best colored people to be found IN the Uni.
ted States-such men, for instance, as
Bishop l. &. Clinton, frank Il. Massey,
Robert Moblcy, Prot Lee, John Tyler
Fraser and George Carloek, and others
whom l could mention, who are polite,
moral and Industrious, and who have the
respect OF the white race, and are good,
peaceable citizens
can venture the assertion that four of
these men have me ltioned never went to
school Ii day in their lives. | am also
aware Of the fact that some Of our best white
citizens in Lancaster county, who are men
OF high moral standing, sound Judgment in
matters OF practicality, as relates 10 their
owp affairs and to the welfare of the coun-
ty, etc, who are well-to-do financially, by
reason OF hard work, are at the same time
uneducated in literary sense Although
| their mothers and fathers gave them good
moral training in early life, thus fitting
them for book culture, but misfortune pre-
vented them from receiving literary edu-
cation Hence we perceive that their moral
training had the great and happy result of
making them good and useful citizens be
1t said all the more to their credit because
other advantages We're denied shem. |
cannot but feel desp conviction that edu-
cation founded on anything else but good
wholesome moral character can but prove
of little benefit to any concerned.
believe i. was Sam Jones who remarked
that in going through Sing Sing Penitcn-
tiary he discovered that it was largely peo.
Piled by eollege-bred men. Book. learning
to them proved a curse. because founded
on the shifting sands of loose morals: and
such believe Is the usual tendency Of ed