The semi-weekly messenger., 1905-03-28
WHERE WHITES AXE NEGLIGENT


The Nashville American, referring
to an incident in South Carolina os Z
few weeks ago in which a white mar
prominent in his community was cen.
sured for making an address to q par
ty Of negro school children, makes the
following true and sensible remarks.
AS it says. we have the negro among
|us and he is here to stay. Can it be
denied that it is to the interest of the
white people to endeavor to make a
better citizen of him as well as q NOR
lal obligation imposed upon us? To do
this does not in any way interfere
with the strict observance and enforce
|ment of social distinction, nor does it
conflict with the principle of disfran-
lchisement OF the ignorant and illitsf-
ate negro. The white people can still
maintain this supremacy in govern
lment and prevent any approach toward
social equality and at the same time
laid the negro in improving his con-
Idition mentally, morally and in a ma
Iteriai way. The American says:
Not enough white men address COL
ored schools. There is too much drift
ling apart of the races. as compared
with the old DAYS when the whites and
1.-THE blacks better understood each
other If more white men would talk
20 colored schools. advise them. direct
them and show that interest, which
would exert a wholesale influence
! iupon the negroes we would have a
better condition of affairs. and wiser
appreciation and a more intelligent
sympathy between the two races
would be maintained. The negro is
among us. He is here to stay. Is it
not wiser and better to show friend
ly interest in him, to advise him. en-
courage him. impress upon him the
honor and dignity of labor. the value
white mans friendship the virtue of
honesty. seIf-help. independent effort
etc.? Many white people have little
conception of what the negroes are
doing. White men would have far
more influence with negroes if they
would visit their schools. - churcnes.
business places. note what they are
doing and manifest friendly interest
in their endeavorS to improve their
race and win the approval and SYM
pathy of the whites. For some phases
of the racial question the whites are to
blame.
The Charlotte Observer, after quot
ing the above approvingly, makes the
following comment:
When white men of character ap-
pear as speakers at negro schools or
as preachers IT the pulpits Of negro
churches. they are heard attentively.
gladly. Their counsel has weight
often more weight than with the peo-
pie of their own race: is hardened to
and needed according as the black
cple-whose intuition is keener than
is generally supposed. respect the sin.
cerity. rectitude and right -mindedness
of the SPEAKER. 1t is within the DOW
er of white men of standing to do
much for the brother in black. in the
manner suggested. and that. too. with
out derogating aught from their own
dignity Or waving any view they hold
with regard to the proper relation Of
the races. The negroes will not mis-
understand them upon this point nor
seek to take advantage<of the friendly
manifestation. It is said. truly. by our
Nashville contemporary. that the ne
gro is with us. and to stay and the
dominant race, in doing it's duty by
him. is only doing it's duty to itself.