Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-05
VIEW OF BRIGHT SIDE.
Mrs. Mary Church Terrell Discusses
the Race Question.


the Race Question.
Mrs Mary Church Terrell. formerly mem.
Der of the board Of education of the Dis
trict and delegate to the international
congress of women, which met June last,
addressed the Bethel Literary Society last
evening at the Metropolitan A. M. E.
Church on the bright Side OF the Race
Question Her audience was large one
and listened attentively to her speech. s.
She, as a colored woman, held that the
race question would settle itself in this
country. II it were not for the interference
of number of politicians. who. she SAID
trample on the rights of the colored man.
Mrs Terrell said, In part:
Looking on the dark side of the race
problem has become so popular that those
who see the bright side are frequently pre-
vented from presenting it for fear of being
considered short-sighted and mentally
weak I think the bright side should be
looked upon. but 1 do not mean that the
negro should close his eyes to his own vices
and defects.
Il cheerfully admit that the condition OF
the negro today is far better than when he
was slave, but there are many things
which operate against the colored man
ignorant whites and cowardly negroes will
ing to hold their race up to scorn to curry
favor with the dominant race. AS long as
this be true the negro's reputation as a ctti-
zen will suffer at home and abroad. 1t
amuses some people that the negro should
aspire to the higher walks Of life. They
would reWrite the familiar nursery rhyme
to read:
H. diddle-diddle, the cat and the fiddle,
A darby tried to jump the moon,
Some white folks laughed to see such sport,
But others lynched the coon.
1.-THE poor whites Of the south today are
a greater menace to the country than the
negro. They are making no effort to &C
quire an education or to obtain property.
They are the class which Is antagonlst1c
to the colored man. The poor whites hate
anything If this race question could be
left to the better class Of white southern
people, the problem would soon be settled.
The negro in the south has made far
slavery than has the poor white. Hence
the undying jealousy which is keeping alive
the fires of race hatred. The corrupt poll
tician has famed these flames There is
sin, but it Is well to remember the time
when the negro's lot was harder than 1t is
today.
Forty years ago the institution of slavery
existed. 1t was little dreamed then that
what has since happened would happen.
Why, then, should not this race look for
ward to a future without despair? Forty
years ago the negro as a race could not
read. Today nearly 1000, COO are receiving
instruction in the public schools, 10000 OF
our youth are pursuing classical, scientific
and business courses, and many are learn
ing the trades.
"In the Luxembourg Gallery at Paris
hangs a painting by H. o. Tanner. an
American negro. which received a first
prize. Negroes have taken honors in lit
erature and music. Forty years ago the
slave was penniless Now he and his de-
scendants are worth $500, 100000.
I'm various parts of the country there are
banks and stores owned by negroes Other
statistics rebound to the negroes credit"