Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-10-02

The opposition and imPatience OF the
eaders Of the many different leagues /
seems to be due 10 a misunderstanding {
II the real purpose in the slow but sure
policy Of Professor Washington. But
there is sound common sense in the
which SAYS, BE satisfied for a
time with such education as will fit you
for your duties as useful citizens; work
hard. and be- thrifty that you may accu-
mulate property; herein lies your adj
vantage; for as taxpayers you will have
a right to dictate how town and state
funds shall be disbursed." Such posi-
ton can only be gained by the Negro
in the South-through manual labor.
This position gained, who can dehar
their children from the highest advan-
tagesy Professor Washington's position
today is a convincing demonstration OF
his theory.
This man great from his boyhood, has
had phenomenal success in his work OF
uplifting his race, and has gained for
them the sympathy and help of great
number of the better class of white citi- |
gems in the South which however is
likely to be alienated by the i'll con-
sidered sentiments, and actions OF a few
of the more ambitious among the edu-
Gated colored men. These-at the same
time as they convey the information
that There is class of the race that
hate the white South blindly and dis
trust the white race generally"-are
publishing a doctrine anything but paci-
fc. These traits hitherto unsuspected
in the North shows that there may have
been more cogent reasons than "color
and previous condition of servitude' for
limiting the privileges OF suffrage. I'm
der such conditions as are constantly
coming to light, one can understand the
dread of NEGRO domination" and the
determination to furnish no means for
its institution. The Southern white
people at present pay the bulk OF the
taxes; and are-it is alleged-atfording
the Negro youth facilities for acquiring
such education as is deemed suitable TO
his probable position in life. Congress
cannot force them to be more generous
Cancellation may do much.
These ambitious Afro-Americans who
say that Professor Washington is be
hind the times, and the republican party
apathetic in regard to the Negro ques
ton, seem utterly unable to understand
the ominousness of the situation. Tit
white people of the South have been un
wisely irritated, and measures to force tn
issue could only result in bitter antagon
, ism disastrous to the increasing prosper
ity of the South--the result of an heroi
courage. 1t may be that those who ar
denounced as having "Buried the il
terests of the Afro American under tn
. interests of the administration" can Sc
an obstacle in the path,-the grim spec
ter of the civil war. In compariso
= with the results of repetition of this
which God torbid-the political ami
ton of the Negro however just, seems
matter of minor Importance.
The republican majority in Congre:
will not repeal the l4th and 18th amen'
ments, nor are they at present desired
. do so by the better class of Southerner
but in view of the latter day sentimen
among the race it is more than probab
that the matter of an extension of ii
-. suffrage will be left to the discretion
the leading men in the different state
y of the South, in spite of the threat
the leaders of the new movement to d
sert the party to whom they should fe
~ irrevocably bound by ties of gratitud
in the event of delay in furthering the
. interests. The proposition to join "ar
W party that will work better for their i
~ terests" seems to have in it more of pc
y tics than patriotism; but most of all
. speaks of pure folly.
-. 1t is to be hoped that Congress W
y, make an appropriation to afford Il
y Negro youth ample educational facilitie
but as to the need for him, in the pre-
ent, of means for the higher education.
the conclusion is that the Negro cole
at Atlanta, Ga, will furnish sufficien
:, of professors and leaders"
There are in the Southern Stat
about twenty-three universities. 1t
safe to assume that large proporti'
- of those graduating each year will fiji
-, themselves in excess of the demand f
professional men. Professor Washin
ton is wise in that he perceives tn
- there is more money in skilled labo
~ In this country money is paramount
y a power. The contention of Profess,
- Dubois that political equality is esse
-. tial to the advancement of his race
- the result of deduction from the pr
" mise that politics is ennobling; but su,
g politics as obtain today in our princip
W cities will hardly tend to the elevate
w of either race.