The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1907-03-08
hMERIOH'S
PROBLEM
RdC6 Question Grows
MOIn6ntOuS
PLAIN STATEMENT OF CASE
Able Article From Pen of Thomas
Nelson Page
PLAIN STATEMENT OF CASE

llOloUll qgO
Under the caption "The Great Ameri-
can Question" Thomas Nelson Page has
splendid article in McClure's Maya
zine for March, which should be read
in full by every intelligent citizen. We
regret we have space only for the calm
and dispassionate statements with
which the distinguished author opens
the case, saying:
There are some things so we'll under
stood by those who know the negroes,
as to appear to them almost truisms. For
example:
That the white race is superior to the
negro race; not accidentally and be-
cause OF superior training, but inher-
emily and fundamentally.
That in certain things negroes differ
widely among themselves; for example,
in temper, character, training tempera-
ment But that in certain respects, all,
or nearly all negroes, have the same race
characteristics as Indians, Chinese,
Caucasians, and other races have them.
That the negroes, well-nigh univer-
sally, when not excited by outside in
iuences, live with the white race ami
cably
That the negroes are kept in a state
OF excitement and tension by the belief
that in all matters of difference be-
tween them and the whites of the South
they are sustained by the whites Of the
North.
That under all, or nearly all, differ
ences arising between the negroes and
the whites lies racial feeling.
That negroes under subiugation are,
for the most part, docile, amicable, tract
able, and pleasant to deal with
That negroes in power are, for the
most part, arrogant, staggering, dan
gerous, and intolerable
That negroes almost always band to-
gether as a race; oppose as negroes the
whites as the whites; harbor as negroes
their criminals, because they are ne
groes; and almost universally, where
crimes have been committed by negroes
against whites, fail to help execute the
law.
That the negroes have been misled as
to their privileges bv false ideas incul- I
Gated by the teachings OF an element at
The North.
That the negroes understand by So
,ial equality" for the most part, one
hing only; the right to stand with white
women on precisely the same ground as /
hat on which white men stand with
hem.
That the salvation of the white race
depends upon preventing this; and fur
her, depends on the white races re-
naming dominant.
That so long as the white race remains
dominant, the white race and the negro
ace can live together amicably; other
wise not; for the white race will not
dmit any other race to equal partner
hip in governmental or vital relations.
That there is a wide difference at pres
mt between the point OF view of the
reat body Of the Northerners and the
ntire body Of the Southerners as to
he negro: in this, that Northerners c
spouse the cause of the negroes as a i
ice, but dislike negroes individually, +
lille Southerners do not dislike negroes a
Individually, but oppose them as a race, c
nd that this difference Is due to con
itions and not to basic principles.
That the solution OF the race question q
lould be sought through economical Il
Id not sentimental laws. And that the t
ICE question should be left alone to be
titled by these laws. II
There is another vital fact not gen e
ally known to Southerners: that one Il