The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-01-31
Race prejudice.

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been generated by superstitious idea
OF their inferiority. Their intellectual
attainments alone refutes such reason
ing. If/so disposed one could easily
adduce indisputable evidence to show
that the prejudice which existed, and
to certain degree still exists, toward
the Jews in foreign lands was without
reason. In fact, it is in direct contra
diction to the dictates of reason, op-
posed to the DEGREES of justice, and
incompatible with the best interests of
humanity. Who at all familiar with
the history of the Jews, knowing of
their devotion to each other, their high
regard for domestic tranquility, their
respect for the institutions of what
ever nation shelters them-I repeat,
who, knowing this, shall attach any
blame to them for disliking those peo-
pies that have subjected their ancestors
to bitter oppression, cast abuse at them,
and held their race up to the ridicule
OF the world? Their experiences
should obtain for them the sympathies
of mankind!
Other peoples have also been COM
PEELED to drain the cup containing the
bitter dregs of injustice. The histories
of Eastern nations are replete with in
cidents whereby the weaker tribes were
forced to submit to the yoke Of despo-
tlsm. Witness the Hellenic states
sacrificing hundreds of captives to the
flames to appease their Gods. The
Romans Staying the weak and dividing
the strong as spoils of war. 1t is not
necessary to direct your attention to
conditions in Russia today, to Eng
lan's India and Chinese problem, to
the degrading customs adopted by
orientals to enslave persons, nor to re-
vive incidents whereby England sent
persons convicted of crime to America
to become slaves. While it is unneces-
sary to dwell on history's depictions,
yet, by conjuring in the mind these
historical facts we may satisfactorily
determine the basis of race prejudice
founded in jealousy, resulting from
ignorance, and verging into slavery
have heard it said: "There is cure
for every ILL.," While slavery may not
be an i'll it is decidedly an evil; so substi-
tuting evil for ill this would convert
the maxim to, "There is a cure for
every evil" For centuries slavery
sapped the vitality of races doomed to
it; but Lincoln s famous proclamation
awakened the people of the civilized
nations to realization of the injustice
Of slavery as well as to it's inhumanity.
Since then, especially in America, the
tendency has been to place the races
on an equal footing. This desire has
been furthered by amendments to the
constitution and by state legislation,
SO that every citizen possesses the
same privileges. This may be con-
sidered as the remedy for the evil of
slavery. But-it has brought in it's
train what may be termed as contribu-
tory causes of racial prejudice. These
are indolence, unenlightenment, pau
city of abilities, and in some instances
utter Indifference manifested by the
illiterate persons toward civilizing
agencies such as education, industry,
etc.
To assist the various races, individu-
ally and collectively, to attain higher
degree of civilization, is essential to
true progress. [ say that civilization,
in its highest sense, is necessary to the
progress of every race; and this is in
conference.-the as is evidenced by the
gradual extinction of those races that
obstinately refuse to adopt and prac-
tice the precepts of Christianity and of
civilization. This is further exempli-
fed by the remarkable advancement
of the Japanese, who in a few years
have risen to position which they
might not-I believe could not-have
attained except by the teachings of
When Commodore Perry landed on
Japan's shores what did he encounterp
An isolated, superstitious people, who
were content to exist and pursue the
practices, follow the doctrines, wor-
ship images, and pass thru life as their
did. Today they demand