The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-09-22

For Mr.. Booker T. Washington as a
man and leader Of his race l have al
WAYS had the warmest admiration. His
life is a romance which appeals to the
heart of universal humanity. The story
of a little ragged, barefooted piccaninny
who lifted his eyes from a cabin in the
hills of Virginia, saw Vision and fol-
lowed it, until at last he presides over
the richest and most powerful institu-
ton of learning in the south, and sits
down with crowned heads and presi-
dents, has no parallel even in the Tales
of the Arabian Nights.
The spirit Cf the man, too, has al
ways impressed me with its breadth,
generosity and wisdom. The aim of
his work is noble and inspiring. AS 1
understand it from his own words, it
is TO make negroes producers, lovers
Of labor, honest, Independent, good"
His plan for doing this is to lead the
negro to the goal through the develop
ment of solid character, intelligent in
dustry and material acquisition.
Only fool or knave can find fault
with such an ideal. 1t rests squarely
on the eternal verities. And yet it will
not solve the negro problem, nor bring
us within sight of it's solution. Upon
the other hand, it will only intensity
that problems dangerous features, COM
plieate and make more difficult its ulti-
mate settlement.
1t is to this tragic fact to which !
am trying to call the attention of the
nation.
have for the negro race only pity
and sympathy, though every large con-
yention of negroes since the appear
ance of my first historical novel on the
race problem has gone out of its way
to denounce me and declare my books
caricatures and libels on their people.
Their mistake is a natural one. My
books are hard reading for negro,
and yet the negroes, in denouncing
them, are unwittingly denouncing one
of their best friends.
| have been intimately associated
with negroes since the morning of my
birth during the Civil War. My house.
hold servants are all negroes. l took
them to Boston with me, moved them
to New York, and they now have entire
charge of my Virginia home. The first
row | ever had on the negro problem
was when | moved to Boston from the
south to take charge of a fashionable
church at the Hub. 1 attempted to i'm
port my baby's negro nurse into Bos-
ton hotel. The proprietor informed me
that no coon" could occupy a room in
MS house in any capacity, either as
guest or servant. l gave him a piece
OF my mind and left within an hour.
AS friend Of the negro race l claim
that he should have the opportunity
lor the highest, noblest and freest de-
Velopment of his full, rounded man
mood. He has never had this opportu-
nifty in America, either north or south,
ana he never can have it. The forces
against him are overwhelming.
MY books are simply merciless rec
ords OF conditions as they exist, condi-
lions that can have but one ending if
they are not honestly and fearlessly
laced. The Civil War abolished chattel
slavery. 1t did not settle the negro
problem 1t settled the union question
anu created the negro problem. Fred
eric Harrison the English philosopher
ueciared that the one great shadow
"hlch clouds the future of the Ameri-
Vah republic is the approaching tragedy
VI the lrreconcilable conflict between
'ne negro and white man in the devel-
opment of our society. Mr.. James Bryce
recently made similar statement.
me Argument of the Ostrich Man.
II allowed to remain here the negro
tace IN the United States will number
VO'oUV'VOO at the end of this century
W tnelr present rate of increase. Think
VI "hat this means for a moment and
'ou lace the gravest problem which
o,el puzzled the brain of statesman or
Su,ioSopher. No such problem ever
Oeiore confronted the white man in his
recorded history. 1t cannot be whistled
uvwn by opportunists. politicians, weak
-ninued optimists or female men. 1t
s.us. De squarely met and fought to a
several classes of people at present
voS'ruct any serious consideration of
.uis questionable pot-house politician,
-s ostrich man, the pooh-pooh man,
.Ia. au tne benevolent old maid. The poll
''o S'elan is still busy over the black mans
@ 0o.e IN doubtful states. The pooh-pooh
ma, slan needs no definition-he was born
.oOi' The benevolent old maid con-
,Su'es every time the hat is passed
~ nu Is pretty sure to do as much harm
n. M 5000 IN the long run to any cause.
ne ostrich man is the funniest of all
10 group of obstructionists, for he is
iah oil brains and capacity.
". nave friend of this kind in New
so SIN he got after me the other day
OMewhat .s.. in this fashion:
,h, "nat do you want to keep agitating
s sais Internal question for? There's no
o,a aanser in it unless you stir It. Let it
''0ne grant you that the negro race