The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-01-29
Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1908.
I'm migration.

Immigration.
Senator Tillman delivered an address In
the State House last Thursday night on I'M
migration. Senator Tlllman, like the late
Mr.. Calhoun, has hobby. Calhoun's hobby
nearly always bore directly or Indirectly 10
slavery. Tillman's hobby is the cultivation
OF race antagonism.
All admit that Calhoun was able and hon
est, but the cause for which he contended
w,nt down.
Tlllman is fully as able and equally as hon
est, and is perhaps more aggressive than was
Calhoun. Time alone Will prove whether a
better fate awaits Tillman and bis pet
scheme, than that which came TO CalhDun's
With much that Tillmann says all South
Carolinians must agree. 1t is certain that
South Carolina could furnish homes to thous
ands OF other citizens, and 1t is equally GER
tain that we need the kind which Tillmap
described in his speech in Columbia. We
need home seekers, not mere hewers OF wood
and drawers OF water. Laborers can do better
in the newer States where labor Is scarce and
high. and where there are fewer Of the luxu-
ries, and not so many Of the necessaries for
comfortable livlng-where there are fewer OF
tQe COuIOll5 Ol duQ WQeI6 LuoC0 are
fewer OF the blessings Of civilization.
But home.seekers. who can buy land and
cultivate the soil will f1nd this the best part
OF, the United States, Good land, the best
money crop In the world, good water, good
health, good schools, many churches, plenty
OF peaceable and virtuous neighbors, all 60
to offer Inducements TO the best OF home.
seekers, and those who would not wish to
carry their families into unknown lands
among the wilder and more. uncertain citi-
zenship.
Mr.. Tilman dwells much on the race Issue,
and sees spooks in every highway. While
agreeing with him most thoroughly In the
desirabilty Of having amongst us more men
ofthe white race, we do so, not from fear OF
negro denomination. The white race is able
to take care of Itself. and will do 30 for all
time to come, even as 1t has done In the past.
We do not agree with Mr.. Tillman In his rea-
son for urging the presence OF the white
men.
We think the better way for white men to
do Is to get as many others to come as posi-
BILE, and then treat the negro fairly In all
dealings with him. And do so In such way
as not to encourage race antagonisms. It is
better for all that each should live In peace
and sleep In security.
Even II South Carolina had a majority OF
whites, the negroes In the South would hold
the balance, as they do in some OF the Eastern
States. And as the negroes OF the South be-
come more educated they will become strong
or and more assertive.
One difference between the whites and the
blacks is everywhere In evidence.
No blacks expend their energy In educating
their children, while being less careful than
they should be about their morals.
On the other hand, the great and chief aim
OF every white mother is to preserve the
morals and character Of her children. In her
mind, morality and respectability ia the
crowning glory Of womanhood, even II edu.
cation is neglected.
On the one handed is blunted morals, with
q keen desire for education.
On the other hand, purity OF morals, with
some neglect OF education.
Another difference Is in the home life. The
negro, in many instances, will crowd the
whole family into less living room than that
in which the average white citizen would i'm.
prison an equal number Of pigs. The living
and the sleeping together like cattle or In the
manner Of swine has tendency to produce
like characterlsticts in human beings.
On the other hand. the average white man
is ambitious for the good opinion Of his
white neighbor, and desires to live In the
best house attainable. The living In good
houses, where the sexes and the different ages
OF the family are separated into different liy-
ing or sleeping rooms has an elevating ten
dency and encourages the mother In greater
effort to preserve her jewels in purity and
honor-to be shining examples In the Christ
ian character.
1t is our opinion that Mr.. Tillman, instead
OF exciting race prejudice and race hatred.
would serve his country better, II he sought to
allay ill-feelings on either side. There is no
occasion for the we'll behaved white man TO
be afraid OF the we'll treated negro. 1t would
be better for our people not to oppress the
negro too much, and it would be better for
him, II he cultivated good feeling for his
white neIghbor.
live separate much further, the danger is.
that Congress. instead of giving US wider
reign. may Itself Interfere in behalf OF the ne
gro, and put further restraining hand upon
the South.
That there Is much sympathy in the North
Tor the negro Is evidenced by the large sums
which the people raise by voluntary contri:
buttons Tor negro education in the South. ..
AS an evidence that they have little sym-
pathy for their poor and struggling white
brethren 1t is only necessary TO point to their
total lack oi interest in our needy peighbors
OF the white race.
The fear is. that the country. instead of re.
pealing Objectionable laws, may enact fur.
ther and more oppressive legislation.
The motto should be give the negro justice
In his sphere and keep him in that sphere.