The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-24
A Better Spirit.

senator IlllInan seems TO De turning
over new leaf. In beginning a speech in
the senate yesterday he announced that
he proposed to surprise his friends and
dsappoint his enemies by the mildness of
his remarks. The speech that followed,
so far the Associated Press reported
it, was certainly mild for Mr.. Tillman.
We hope that his manner yesterday will
not be an isolated incident but that here
after he will consider this battling and
disturbing race problem with that spirit
of liberation, generosity and helpfulness
which all must have who enter the arena
Of this discussion if they hope to pro-
mote a satisfactory settlement.
That spirit is splendidly evinced in an
essay on the subject of negro suffrage by
Professor Gunton. This calm thinker con-
cludes that negro suffrage, as the suffrage
of racial mass is a failure. There is
general agreement on that point now.
There is little doubt that the race prob
lem would be further advanced toward
settlement if the negroes had not been
given the suffrage ell nasse. Professor
Gunton goes on to discuss with manifest
kindness and considera ton the present
Acknowledgement Of the negroes in the
south. His only objection to it, is that
of most northern students Of the subject
who sympathize with the trials of the
south in this matter; that is, that the ex-
clusion should not be made purely racial,
as it is in effect. He would exclude the
ignorant white as we'll as the ignorant
negro. 1t is the present southern tend
ency to make the color of the skin and not
the intelligence of the man, the basis of
the suffrage that arouses resentment in
the north. On the social side northern
whites but little tolerant OF
negroes than southern whites, but to us
it seems perfectly absurd that an intel
ligent American negro should be kept
from the ballot box while thousands of ig-
norant foreigners are permitted to vote.
Professor Gunton maintains, though, that
representation in congress should, as the
fourteenth amendment to the constitution
intends, be made proportionate to the po-
litical population. If the negro is counted
out for political purposes in one respect,
he ought to be counted out all through.
If he cannot vote, and is therefore not
represented, his numbers ought not to
count in swelling the congressional dele
cations Of states in which he is disfran-
chised. This is mere justice, not a means
of furnishing the south for excluding the
negro from the franchise; yet it seems to
anger our southern countrymen, even to-
propose a law carrying out the constitu-
ton. We don't say that 1T is wise to
insist on this point; we merely affirm It's
reasonableness. The effect of such a law
would be to put a premium on the admis-
sion to the suffrage of competent negroes,
because In that way lost representation
| would be regained with the education and
| enlightenment of the negroes.
We referred yesterday to the Atlanta
! university bulletin on THE Negro Arti-
san tits most creditable publication,
and is full of signs of hope for the negro.
! A study Of it points to the wisdom of
Booker Washingtons plan of saying little
and keeping at work. When the negro is
| able to command the respect of his white
neighbors by his material achievements
and possessions, and his moral worth,
| there will not be much left of the negro
! problem. The new era of industrialism in
the south is bound to do much for the
negro. Industrialism will educate him
! The bulletin referred to quotes an efficient
negro mechanic in Lynchburg, Va as
| saying that the situation grows brighter
every day. and that it is simply question
of capacity and reliability. This man was
about to take the job Of erecting one Of
| the largest structures in the state.
| How many men Of that kind, if quiet
and well behaved, will long be denied the
| privilege. Of voting whether in Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama.
! Mississippi or Louisiana?