The Brinkley argus., 1907-11-08
Wm. B. FOLSOM. Editor.
THE NEGRO RACE PROBLEM.

"Negro Problem one of our most distinguished southern statesman. Hon. John Sharp Williams, of Mississippi, says: "Let us have racial peace without any interference from the out side, and we can hope from the natural evolution of things for a so- lution of this great problem, as of most others. God rules this world, and not the devil. Things go right in the long run and not wrong. am an optimist, and not pessimist.
 These are wise words, and worthy the honest and serious consideration of every American citizen. No one can do harm. but good, who advocates peaceful relations between the vari ous races of this country, whether they be white, black, red or yellow, and we have all these in our cosmopolitan cit izenship.
 America is the meeting place under the Providence of God, of all the var ious peoples, tongues, and races Of earth, and while we believe that this will always continue to be a white mans country. in the sense that the white man will make its laws, mold its public opinion. control its institu- tions, and dominate its civilization, yet that does not mean that he shall ignore certain rights of the men of other colors the rights of life. liberty and the pursuits of happiness
 These latter can be guaranteed to all men, by the white man, without in any way impairing his own rights, so- cial position, or powers. And since the men of all colors are here, and here to stay. until God in His own providende may determine otherwise is it not the policy of wisdom and good statesmanship 10 cultivate peaceful relations between them1 It is to the interest, white as we'll as black, that there should be peace between them.
 And we are happy to believe that for the most part, such relations do now exist between the good white man and the gosd negroe. Where strife arises, # Is usually between the crimi- nally inclined of both classes. It gen. ,erally begins among the vicious of both races as In the recent Atlanta riots, though unfortunately it does not stop there, but often involves the well-dis- posed and aw-abidlng of both races. The citizen. then. who does what he can to promote aud maintain peace as between his own and people of another race, is benefactor to his own as we'll as to the other race.
 a Again. the quotation above sets forth the idea that there Is 4 divine element to be reconed with in working out this great problem, and that If not nterfer- ed with from the outside. the natural evolution of things. directed by an Al mighty power. will finally result in z satisfactory and happy solution of the now perplexing question.
 Those unacquainted with the many complex elements of the problem would do we'll to let 1t alone. or at least 10 work at 1t only under the friendly direction Of those familiar with all its phases. It is this mis- directed, ignorant and of times dem agogic out interference that hss been at the bottom of much of the trouble Remove this and the solution will pro- ceed more rapidly and with less fric- ton.
 The duty of the hour requires. that every one In any way related to this question, should think much-sh look at the question from every possi. ble standpoint from the standpoint of each race. each section. and eacf interest. It requires also that Chris tian men should study the question from the standpoint of religion as taught in the Scripture. Have we REALLY got down to bedrock, as | were, in our handling of the question Are we SURE that our present atti- tude towards the question is one 1T harmony with the teachings of Him who spake as never man spake'
 For after all. no question is eyel permanently settled until it is settled right. and if our treatment of other races be not along lines founded upor the eternal principles of right, justice