The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-04-22
SUMTER s. O.. WEDNESDAY. APRIL g. 1903.

to it. That this does not grow out of
hatred of the nergo is very plain. 1t
seems to me that there is abundant
sentiment and abundant behavior
among the Southern whites towards
the negro, to make US doubt the
Justice of charging this denial of social
equality to prejudice, as We usually
understand the word. Perhaps it is
born out of something SO much deeper
and more imperious than prejudice
as to amount to racial instinct.
Whatever it is, let US remember that
it has condoned the nergoes' share in
the humiliation and spoliation Of the
white men of the South during the
satnrnalia of Reconstruction days, and
has allowed a kindly feeling for the
negro to survive the time when, the
South was deluged by perilous food
OF indiscriminate unintelligent aud
blighting negro suffrage. Whatever
it is, let Us try to be tolerant and
eonsiderate Of the feelings and even
prejudiced racial instinct Of our white
fellow countrymen Of the South, who,
in the situation of the negro problem,
must, amid their own surroundings,
bear the heat of the day and stagger
under the weight of the white mans
burden.
There are, however, other consider
ations relating to this feature of the
negro question, which may be regard
ed as more in keeping with the objects
and purposes of this occasion. AS
friends of the negro, fully believing
in the possibility of his improvement
and advancement, and sincerely and
confidently laboring to that end, it is
folly for Us to ignore the Importance OF
the ungrudging- ng-co-operation on the
part Of the white people of the South IN
this work. Labor as we will, those
who do the lifting Of the weight must
be those who stand next to it. This
cooperation cannot be forced; nor can
it be gained by gratuitously running
counter to firmly fixed and full enjoy
ment of civic advantages, or even pre-
iudices. We are not brought to the
point of doing or overlooking evil
that good may come. when we proceed
upon the theory that before reaching
the stage where We may be directly
and practically confronted with the
question of the negro's full enjoy
ment of civic advantages or even OF
all his political privileges, there are
Immediately before us and around US
questions demanding our immediate
care, and that, in dealing effectively
with these, we can confidently rely
upon the encouragement and assistance
of every thoughtful and patriotic citi-
zen of the land, wherever he may live
and whatever may be his ideas or predi-
lections concerning the more remote
phases Of the negro problem. These
questions that are SO Immediately
pressing have to do with the practical
education of the negro, and especial
ly with fitting him to compete with
his white neighbors in gaining de-
cent, respectable and remunerative
livelihood. Booker Washington, in
speaking of the conditions and needs
of his race, has wisely said: 1t is at
the bottom of life we must begin, and
not at the top; nor should we permit
our grievances to overshadow our op-
portunities."
In summing up the whole matter,
there is one thing of which we can De
absolutely certain. When We aid
Tuskegee Institute and agencies like
it, striving for the mental and manual
education of the negro at the South,
we are in every point Of view render
ing him. the best possible service.
Whatever may be his ultimate destiny,
we are thus helping to fit him for fill
ing his place and bearing its respon-
sibilities. We are sowing well in the
soil at ''the bottom of life" the seeds
of the black mans development and
usefulness. These seeds will not die,
but will sprout and grow, and if it be
within the wise purpose of God the
hardened surface Of no untoward senti-
ment of prejudice can prevent the
bursting forth of the blade and plant
OF the negro's appointed opportunity
into the bright sunlight Of cloudless
day.
At the conclusion of his address,
Mr.. Cleveland introduced Edgar u.
Murphy, who said:
81 think that wise men everywhere
are recognizing in the principal OF
Tuskegee one of the greatest moral
assets in the life of our country today I:
1.-The South has not applauded him
with undiscriminating agreement or
With monotonous, though less, profit
less acclaim. The South has some
times blamed him. But the South is
too fair 70 him and to his race, to allow
these occasions of disagreement to dis
tort the broad perspective in which
she has viewed and appreciated that
arduous public service through which,
for twenty years, in cheerful patience
and unaffected modesty, he has labor
ed for the upbuilding of his humble
and untutored fellows. He has greatly,
dole great work in response to great
need.
''North and South there have been
those who have seen peril III the
nesro's progress. But if the progress
of the negro bring peril with it that
peril is nothing in comparison with
the perils attendant on the negro's
failure.
DR.. LYMAN Abbott, who followed,
said that the South deserved great