The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-01-31
Paper Read Before the Cnautauqua Circle.


peculiar interest to the cultured
i persons of every nation and
race. 1t has on many occa-
sions riveted the attention of persons
in every station of life. Racial dislike
is closely allied to the very nature of
mankind, which accounts, perhaps, for
the ill-feeling between races. 1t occa-
sionally happens that an individual
with narrow-minded conceptions, or a
desire to attract personal attention,
mounts platform, or pulpit, and in
dulges in assertions which precipitates
antagonistic feelings forboding ill for
the several races. Reporters seeking
sensational news, "play up"' these Incl
dents, thus disseminating opinions
which are likely to intensity racial en-
nifty. The effect of such utterances
in public assemblages, if spread broad
cast as farmer sOws his grain,
becomes abhorrent, distasteful and
vexatious to the sober, sound-minded
element of citizens upon whom de
Y wolves the task of preserving the mu-
tual interests and harmony of the race 8.
While we may need enlightenment
on this subject we need not approve of
exhibitions of radicalism, displaying
OF private anger, or the portraying of
the vengeful traits of ones personality
In fact, believe that he who elects to
treat of such delicate topic, affecting
the most tender relations of the human
. kindred, ought not to lay aside, as it
were, his own individuality.
A saying is: "There is a cause for
every evil" There is reasonable
cause, or plausible reason, for the ex-
listing prejudice of races. 1t is not the
outgrowth of progression, commercial
industry, and modern conditions.
Rather, 1 infer, from traditional mar
ratives and historical sources, that it's
origin was the ill-will between indi-
viduals who lived in remote ages. 1t
became the basis for differences be-
tween their respective adherents and
offspring. AS the household divided,
settled IN various places, this lll-feeling
subsequently passed from generation
to generation as heritage until the
Scriptural prophecy was fulfilled,
namely, "Every house divided against
itself shall not stand.' This prediction
was cOnsummated in the nature of
deluge when the early race, except
Noah and few others, was annihi-
lated. The original cause must have
been founded in jealousy resulting
from ignorance; for the cause of the
quarrels that occasioned separations in
early times was very trivial.
There was another, and more proba-
BILE, reason for race prejudice in ancient
times. That was the custom of sepa-
rating families made captives in war
fare and condemniDg those unable to
obtain ransom money to slavery. This
may have been the primary cause of
racial animosity, especially after the
Flood. Slavery at some period existed
I'm nearly every nation. Therefore, the
logical inference would naturally be
that one race would consider them
selves superior to the one in servitude.
This conclusion is suppoFted by the his
tory and dissimiliarity of the races
their power of perception, habits, incli-
nations, and principally by their pro-
epensity toward progress.
1t has been said: Gall men are born
equal" But equality of men, or of
races, is hypothetical assertion, un-
supported by facts. The barbarous
tribes are so inferior to civilized people
thatit requires the passing of two or
: three generations before even their
descendants become civilized. In
early times the Hebrews, being intelli-
gent and enlightened, were undoubt-
~edly the superiors of the neighboring
races. But time and the dissemination
of knowledge, together with the rigor
of destiny, wrought marvellous changes.
From q peaceful, law-abiding, con-
tented people the Hebrews became a
wandering race.
AS previously stated the animosity
between races must have been founded
in jealousy; the aversion displayed to-
ward the Jewish people could not have