The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-02-05

GlAE =A+tf So h~tff4. ais. r
The following introduction IN ~
discussion OF the Negro problem *
The late VIM. Z Nhi,Gty was nritt,a
~ Mr. Il man II Wr.k~ AN accom-
pushed New FORK journalist. uho Ua-
lor.I iii M. whitney, native town
E9ston-who Mas his lifelong friend.
WaS appointed by Whitney edltor-lu-
chief ~ thf literary department. 80
the Dtn.oc, 4tic National Committee
ia The campaign II 1892 ana who
had personal knowledge Of M cor-
r-espond.nce AMI relations between
MessrS. NhitneH ana AcAllist.r icIt-
ing up 70 WhltneyS exros, on the
Negro question
"About 4 year after the successful
Democratic campaign III 1882 81 MAS
apparent TO man ShIeWd observer
Of public affairs nat the negro prob
lem in IN south WAS ~ 10 mea44~
settled. 50 far as the Republican party
was concerned. The indications were.
that another force bin would hc at
tempted by the Republicans. IN
anticipation ~ this movement William
> McAllist"r, Of Canton. Mississippi.
former member OF the Mississippi
house Of representatives and general
director Of the Southern Educational
Bureau. under the Democratic nations
al committee IN 1892. returned North
in the spring II 1898. 10 confer with
tho Hon. William q. Whitney in le-
gard to future political movements.
Among other things, Ur. Whitney adj
NiSed the south 20 taxi up the Solu-
lion Of the negro problem in conucc
ton with the settlement Of economic
issues then pending. lie clearly Saw
2 tendency in the south 10 align itself
With the far Nest on the money ques-
tion, and he aimed To unite the south
and Last on broad economic lines that
would be mutually advantageous. At
the suggestion of Nh. whitney. Mr..
McAllister undertook to procure data
upon the negro question. With a view
To evolving therefrom some practical
solution Of the problem. Upon his
return home the following summer,
Mr.. McAllister visited the late john
X. Cameron, of Madison county. Miss.
planter, student and statesman. to on
list his patriotic service in compiling
data upon this important subject. III
December, 1894, this data was dclix-
cred to Mr.. Whitney. accompanied by
z letter from Mr.. Cameron thanking
Mr.. Whitney for his patriotic cndeay-
ors, and assuring him that the South
cfn people would always be grateful
for his voluntary efforts to rescue the
South from the difficulties that had 50
long oppressed it and 50 frequently
caused it TO be Misunderstood by the
world at large. Early in March OF
the following year C1894) Mr.. Whit
ney gave Mr.. McAiIiSter his concIu-
SiOns on this subject as set forth in
the now famous Whitney-Cameron 50
luton of the negro problem. Eight
q later the IDEAS. dWeIt upon in
this document were crystalized by Mr..
Whitney IN a plank Of q platform he
drafted Capri Z, 1000 and gave IL
Mr.. McAllister, looking forward to the
-ampaign of 1904, and commencing
the candidacy Of Judge Alton B
Parker for the Democratic presiden-
tial nomination. He relied upon this
plank as IN efficient means for bring
ing the South and East together. and
in the Introduction to this proposed
platform, MIR. Whitney said: IT is
| assumed that Roosevelt will compel
the next Republican National con
VentiOn to endorse the CrumpackeI
scheme to curtail Southern represen-
tation in Congress, in which event
the negro question should be made
| the dominant issue" then you vii.
have = predicate for using the expose
on that issue we prepared in March
1S94.' The substance Of the plank
relating to the negro question is a.
follows, and emphasizes the princi-
| pies of the document of 1894: An
| glO-SaxOn supremacy on the Amcri-
can continent; no force bills. no u
tailment Of southern representation II
| Congress. but at the same time justice
4 u yIVI III IotN1 tioIl III dtipI
for all, regardless Of rae or color"
The Whitney Discussion Of the Negro
Problem.
mo question of mod rn times ha.
aroused SO much fanaticiSm in tn
human mind-prO and con-as tina
of the negro's social status and 20.
litical rights. SO true is this hat j
is difficult To approach the subjec
free from the passions and prejudice:
~cngendtred by q controversy of suci
long and painful standing. For hal
a century this question caused tn
American rostrum. pulpit and press t
surge and rock, and was finally dc
bated upon the bloodiest battlefield.
of which history has made a record
In order to fully understand thi
question let us cxpend a few word
upon its origin. The Pilgrim Faith
ers being driven into exile by religion
persecution, fell into the mistaken
philanthropy Of the '~politico-socia
equality" Of all men. Viewing tn
negro as the man and brother" the.
We're touched 10 tears. and in thei
dream Of universal freedom" de
handed for him liberation and citizen
ship. The cavalier settlers of James
town recognized the negro'S racial in
feriority. and saw in him only the eie
ments of manua employments. Fror
these antipodal views grew that terri
Bile "irrepressihIe conflict n now
thirty years after the negroes eman
cipation the question of his Socia
status and political rights is as nue.
q problem as it was before he va
stamped with the ennobling habit
ments Of American citizenship. W
affirm that civil society is "a compro
mise Of natural rights and that pol
teal freedom = not 50 much q gratui
toGs gift as il is 4 reNard for the pc.
, session Of certain mental excellence
ana moral virtues. Political right
therefore. are blessings 70 be earne
n deserved and cannot accrue
those untitled TO enjoy them. any MOI
than medicine car be asSimilated }
a dead man. Such persons may EMO
! the form. but TO them the substanC
and reality must be a narcotic. an
wholly u~ncOngenial 70 them. Societ
J may arbitrarily declare all IA
equal" but il is pOwerless 10 enf6T'
: her decree in favor Of those unfittt
70 meet its duties and responsibilitie
To successfully enforce such a deer
would obliterate all distinctions b
s tween the Just and the unjust Il
deserving and the undeserving, II
= superior and the inferiOr-thus cTea
t ing q permanent aborrnal condition,
thing that never has been and nev