The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-01-31
recognition as the equals of all other

recognition as the equals of all other
human beings.
The progeny OF the aborigines, scat
tered in various parts of the world,
show little or no disposition to adopt
the teachings of superior people. They
seem to misinterpret the aims or de-
sires of those who go among them for
the laudable purpose of instiIling into
the savage mind desire to ameliorate
their own conditions. Consequently
they hate the white man and detest his
squaw-like ways. They prefer the
come-day-go-day life and continue to
cherish the precepts and traditions of
their race. l am led to this conclusion
by observations among the Indians
and from what have read pertaining
to barbarOus tribes. Reared in an
atmosphere of ignorance and idleness,
born to life of indigence and care
lessness, they little care or heed the
ways of civilized persons. In fact they
exhibit no interest in the white mans
progress except when their land is be-
ing encroached on, then they lament
the indifference we display toward
them.
One may harp about lifting up the
uncivilized races, but l believe it is
impossible, at least until the traditions
and ways of their ancestors are erased
from their memory. So long as they
live life of dependence on the bounty
of nation, just so long they shall dis
like the civilized persons. But are bar
barOus tribes civilizable? l maintain
that the adult population is not. To
civilize their descendants may require
forty or sixty years of patient, perse-
vering efforts. That ill-feeling. be-
tween civilized and uncivilized races
can scarcely be exringuished until the
conditions of the inferior race are
amellOrated, their characteristics al
tered, and their contempt for us van
quished. Centuries of experience and
the adoption of the most humanitarian
principles in dealing with the barbara
ans seems to Justify the conclusion
that it is futile to try to Elevate the
untutored peoples of forest, dell and
plain. Far easier is it to let them pass
as the buffalOes have. This is their
ultimate fate if they remain in the
surroundings of their progenitors.
When the negro slaves were brought
to this country from the wilds of
Africa they We're, undoubtedly, unfa-
millar with the advantages of civiliza-
tioD. But becoming the servants of
white persons they were in a position
to observe and fit themselves for the
time when they were thrown upon their
own resources. In their offspring,
broadly speaking, the instincts and
traditions of the ancestral branches
are effaced. do not believe any negro
in America today can trace his ances-
tral family back further than "just
befO' tn war;"
We should accord to every person the
equal rights and advantages derived
from our laws. For as DR.. johnson
said: "The law is the last result of
human wisdom, acting on human ex-
perience, for the good of the public"
Therefore, the welfare and prestige of
our nation depends materially on up
holding the above doctrine. further
think that every naturalized citizen
and his children should receive equal
advantages that accrue from our civil
lizatiOn. In other words, the oppor-
tunity to obtain such schooling as is
afforded by public schools. This is in
accordance with our ideals and concep-
tions of justice. "And Justice" said
Webster, sis the greatest interest of
man on earth-the ligament which
holds civilized beings and nations to-
gether." To accord all persons such
equality consistent with law, justice
and humanitarian interests--is the
aim, will say the intention, of the
American people. These occasional
Incidents which are brought to public
notice are SO exaggerated that they
intensity racial enmity when none
should exist. The colored race cannot |
be morally responsible for the act of a |
degenerate, not any more so than the
white race. And those who permit |
their hatred to become SO intensified |
as to commit unlawful acts Of VEN
geance, simply place themselves on the |