New-York tribune., 1903-04-16
TIE NATIONS PROBLEM.

What ex-PresiGent Cleveland said in his adj
rnirable speech ct the meeting in behalf OF Tus-
kegee Institute about the solution of the negro
problem resting mainly with the leading and
responsible white men Of the South is true. So
also is true DR.. Lyman Abbott's statement that
the problem is a national one not the South's
alone. We think that reasonable men in both
sections viii agree TO these two propositions,
which are not antagonistic, though the extre
mists in both object TO them The Southern dem
agogue truculently declares that the negro ques-
ton is no business of the North. and resents the
idea that either national law or the broad inter
ests Of national civilization make Northern in
terest anything but Phariseeism- The North
erner, on the other hand who has traditional
views, gained largely IN wartime, thinks that
the whole subject is summed up in the recon
struction amendments, and that all questions of
expediency and Southern sentiment or fear
count for naught-
They are both wrong. The question is
Southern question, in that Southern conditions
must be considered. and the negro must as
loyal citizen OF the South. work out his des-
tiny IN harmony with his white neighbors and
with due regard for their rights and the safe
guarding Of their civilization. The South must
solve the problem with such friendly aid as the
North can give IN money and in sympathy, but
Il must solve ii right, and it is a paramount
national concern that it be solved right. which
no amount OF sympathy or lazy Indifference or
fear of stirring up trouble will permit the ma
ton as a whole to lay aside.
We may agree perfectly with Mr.. Cleveland
when he says that neither the decree that
made the slaves free nor the enactment that
suddenly invested them with the rights Of cti-
'tzenship any more purged them Of their social
than il changed the color Of their SKINS We
may think Southern objection TO an nlterate
electorate not unnatural, and believe that the
negro may wisely put up with the denial of
suffrage, even by unjust discrimination, and de-
vote himself along the lines laid down by Gen
eral Armstrong and Booker Washington TO
making himself prosperous and respected citi-
zen But we cannot forget that patience has
goal Endurance Of discrimination, sympa-
1hetic attitude toward the South while it is
dealing with the negro in its own way is found
ed on the distinct understanding that the ulti-
mate solution is the giving TO every negro as
he shall become worthy OF it the full measure
Of his civil and political rights We should have
been glad if Mr.. Cleveland while so frankly
and properly avowing sympathy with the South
and telling the negroes that their only hope
10 make themselves worthy Of Southern respect,
had with equal distinctness declared for the
great principle Of equal right and privilege as
citizens. regardless Of race, for all those whose
cbaract end achievement fit them TO discharge
the duties of good citizens.
That equality does not mean social equality,
nor amalgamation, nor any encouragement OF
the lower instincts Of the negro race, which
some white men profess 10 fear. 1t is the re-
ward and crown Of exactly opposite tendencies