The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-30
Race Problem OF the South
Discussed by.a sCOIored Man
Removal Of Restraints of Slavery Chiefly Responsible
Dhcuies-Th Negro MuchLIberty.

class. 1t can easily be seen that this
class, circumstanced as they were, would
naturally become an aspiring class Of
individuals. They would naturally seek
to emulate the examples Of their mas
tiers, and whenever opportunities af-
forded they would seek to make the
best and most of them.
The IL per cent or "skilled labor
Glass; enjoyed still higher privileges
than either Of the other two classes.
Those that were handy in making i'm
plements, building houses or doing
skilled work Of any kind, were set apart
from the other two classes as skilled
laborers.. They performed most Of the
south IS skilled labor during the life OF
slavery. The confidence imposed in this
class naturally inspired self-confdence.
and they, more than any other class.
since emancipation, have made the
foundation for racial progress and de-
velopment. The nation made no mis-
take in emancipating these two classes
and giving to them the right Of fran
chise. A very small per cent Of negro
criminals today come from these classes.
A Reform Movement.
The most important of all efforts to-
day, both to the peace and harmony OF
America and the best interests of the
negro, is the one being made thru the
work of the Loyal Legion of Labor to
reach, restrain and lift this thought
less, shiftless element of the race. The
plan of this organization provides that
twenty-five of the leading colored men
of each community be selected as
council board. All matters touching
the interests of the race or races from
any point of view are brought before
this board. From the council board
are elected nine officers, who make up
an advisory board thru whom the work
Of dealing with every phase Of the So
called Grace problem" is reduced to
business ns +s SYSTEM EN- To this movement e
country, north and south, are now Civ
ing their cooperation and earnest sup
port. Already in this city this organ
ization has opened quarters in the
Metropolitan Life building, and a
council board from. among the most
thoughtful and respectable Of the race
here has been selected, and the work
fairly launched in the northwest. From
this movement very practical results
are being obtained, such as cannot be
obtained thru any other medium: Thus
thoughtful negroes of this and many
other communities are not asleep, but
are wide awake to the fact that the
future of their race depends very
largely upon their own efforts, and
with the cooperation of the master, or
employing, class Of white in this and
other sections, many Of the causes
heretofore responsible for racial con-
fiict and trouble will be removed and
the thoughtless, shiftless negro will be
forced to higher and better planes Of
living.
Present Conditions Logical.
Conditions existing today are and
have been but the logical and natural
outgrowth of causes which have been
both misunderstood and overlooked by
many who have attempted to deal with
this vexed problem. These causes, Mr..
Editor, will not of themselves take
wings and fly away. They must first
be understood by the American people
and then be removed thru intelligent,
patient and sane methods.
There can come no solution Of this
problem, and in fact, but little material
betterment Of our present conditions
until the, master or employing class Of
whites, north and south, wake up to
the fact that they by reason Of a Pc
culiar fate have been made "their
brothers. KEEPER and that therefore
their restraining influences in reaching
and holding in check this thoughtless
and shiftless element-with the aid Of
the better class of negroes themselves,
are worth more than all Of the millions
that they possess or can give for the
advancement Of the race.
An Illustration.
Let me illustrate: John Jones repre-
sents the employing class of whites
from whom the blacks receive their
bread and butter by way Of employ
ment. He has in his employment a
negro who knows that John Jones is
so engrossed in his own affairs as to
have no time to think Of him when he
is off duty. If this negro leaves home
at 'clcok in the evening to return at
z in the morning he feels free to spend
his time during the interval in the low
est groggeries or dens in the communi-
ty, ;thout any fear Of his employer
knowing it. He conceives the idea
too, that this liberty means license for
him to do just as he pleases with no
one to speak to him but John Jones,
his employer. This negro represents
the thoughtlesss, shiftless element Of
the race, now responsible for our pres
emit serious racial condition. We cam
| not reach him thru our churches, our
schools or other various mediums. IF
Booker T. Washington or any race
| leader were to speak to him and at
! tempt to lead him from his chosen
paths he would be frankly told to mind
his own business and 90 below. AS long
as John Jones is Indifferent or has NO
way Of knowing how he spends his
time and fails to call for something
higher by way of service and manly eff
fort, just SO long will this negro con-
tinue to do as he pleases until John
Jones himself in utter disgust kicks
him out and damns the whole negro
race on account Of his worthless. In
dolent and criminal habits. AS can be
seen, the cooperation of John Jones
with those Of the better class of me-
groes who do come in social touch with
this negro, and do know of his man.
ner of living and worthless habits-is
worth more in reaching him and cor
recting his erroneous ideas of life and
shortcomings than all other influences
combined. It is thru this cooperation
that the work of reaching the causes
responsible for our present condition
and bringing about solution of the
race problem must in the future be di-
rected
z. W. Mitchell, Supreme Master,
! Loyal Legion of Labor, U. S. A., 1895
Metropolitan Life Building.
HERE'S HARD LUCK
1t was only the oncet, but I'll never fergit
The fine, elegant meal that she cooked.
| COZ NJ nbi IN onf hnrai x,x,{k