The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-08-12

phase, and we see opening before us q
long vista In which there appear pos
sibilitieS Of an immense increse in the
productive powers of the earth and
man. possibilities also of trouble and
strife between races now being
brought into closer and more general
contact. As always, elements Of peril
are balanced by elements of hope.
The sentiment Of race pride, the
keenness OF race.rivalry, have been
intensified. But the sensc of & com
mon humanity has grown stronger.
When we think OF the problems now
being raised by the contact Of races,
clouds seem to hang heavy on the
horizon Of the futures; yet light
streams In when we remember that
the spirit in which civilized States
are preparing to meet those problems
is higher and purer than it was when,
four centuries ago, great outward
movement Of the European nations
began"
In this 1 find the philosophic and
the Christian spirit. Dealing with q
secular process, how weak and spiritless
is our anxiety, our discouragement, or
our despair, because In less than four
decades our peculiar problem here in
the United States is still open and un-
solved How poor and shallow the III
sight that fails to take note Of the es-
sential factors Of the problem and
beats aimless about in the factuous ex-
pectation that secular problem will
yield to treatment which Is not found
ed upon calm study Of all the essential
conditions, or which is swayed by the
miserable exigencies Of temporary per-
sOnal and political ambitions and de-
sireS!
/, for one, can have no controversy
with anyone who does come to the con-
sideration Of this problem in the Uni
ted States in what call
THE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT.
II anything is clear to me 1t Is that
we owe duties, high and solemn duties,
to the negro race in our country.
trust that 1 am not unduly sentiment
al ia my sympathy and election for
that race. Their lot at best is hard
one. Heaven forbid that should add
to It's burdens! Still more do trust
that am not fOrgetful that II Chris
tianity, II religion, teaches any great
and universal lesson it is that we are
bond-and the more bound as the dis
tance between our race and that race
seems wider and wider in respect Of
education or original capacity or pres
ent moral or physical condition-to
feel and act constantly in the spirit OF
a genuine belief in the brotherhood OF
ell men and the common fatherhOod OF
God. Contempt or neglect or hatred to-
wards the negro can have no place In
Christian mans heart or conduct
How to treat him for his own best
good, by what influences to elevate
him, by what arts to inspire the race
with ambition to become gGoi men
and women and hence good citizens,
how to obliterate all differences except
such as are ineradicable, how to exh
bit towards him and teach others, all
men, how to exhibit towards him, the
virtues OF justice, fOrbearance, sympa-
thy, helpfulnesS; these are the certain
and indisputable claims of our com
mon humanity. In my thinking, speak
ing and writing on this theme 1 try to
carry such thoughts In my mind and
heart at all times. 1t is the least of
my misgivings that may be charged
with inconsistency. l hope I am some
what wiser on all subjects among
the restr-than l was thirty or forty
years ago.
Regarding our negro problem in this
spirit, find myself forced by my
EXPERIENCE AND OBSERVATION
to say that perhaps our first practical
aim should be to undo, so far as possi-
ble, what we have heretofore done for
the negro since his emancipation;
namely, the inspiring in him the hope
or dream OF sharing with the white
race herea social or political equality;
for whoever will lay aside wishes and
fancies and look only at realities will
see that these things are impossible
ties within any measurable range OF
time, II ever. l assume as certainty
that what you call 1.-THE blending OF
races" by intermarriage, cannot take
place between the negro and the white
race OF this country. / go further and
say that such intermixture Is as un.
desirable as 1t Is impossible. 1t would
be the degradation Of the white race,
but not the elevation OF the negro
race. In your Romanes lecture, after
discussing the method Of fusion OF
two races into one through intermar-
riage," you remark that this method
is not always applicable. Were physi-
cal repulsion, usually grounded on diff
ference or color, exists, sometimes
where sentimental repulsion ground
ed on difference OF faith, exists, the
two races will not mix their blood, but
remain confronting one another as dis
tinct and unfrlendly b dies" and you
point out the inevitable results OF this
attitude on your pages 29.39, pages
which l wish all our people might
read
THERE ARE THOSE WHO DENY
the fact and the verify Of the exist
ence Of this physical repulsion on the
part OF the white race here towards
our negro race. l have some eminent
md wise acquaintances who regard the
assertion Of such replusion as Il pre-
,ence. l suppose each idividual on this
point must be allowed to speak for
himself. Speaking for myself freely
acknowledge the repulsioD; and speak
ng from my obseryatlon Of others l
eel no doubt that this repulson may
'e truly described as Il natural and |
universal feeling, feeling
% deeply implanted, so strongly felt
~ the vast majority OF the white race
lere that 1t is simply quixotic to at.
empt to preach 1t down or to essen
Tally lessen it's force. 1t is, therefore,
fact to be reckoned with, not |