The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-03-05

Ciuuc from VOTING D0tn negroes and
whites not having education or other
qualifications thought to be necessary
for a proper electorate.
WHERE THE HOPE OF THE NEGRO
LIES.
The danger Of the control OF an
ignorant electorate has therefore pass
ed. With this change, the interest
which many Of the southern white cit
liens take in the welfare Of the negroes
have increased. The colored men
must base their hope on the result OF
their own industry, self-restraint and
business success, as well as upon the
aid and comfort and sympathy which
they may receive from their white
neighbors OF the south.
There was time when northerners
who sympathized with the negro in
his necessary struggle for better con-
ditions sought to give him this suffrage
as protection, and TO enforce its ex-
ercise against the prevailing sentiment
Of the south. The movement proved
to be a failuns. What remains Is the
fifteenth amendment to the constitu-
ton and the right 10 have statutes of
states specifying qualifications for
electors subjected to the test Of COM
planes with that amendment. This
is great protection to the negro. 1t
never will be repealed. and It never
ought to be repealed.
lit had not been passed It might be
difficult now to adopt IL; but with 1t
in our fundamental law the policy OF
southern legislation must and will tend
to obey 1t, and so long as the statutes
OF the states meet the test OF this
amendment and are not otherwise in
conflict with the constitution and laws
or the United States. 1t Is not the
disposition or within the province Of
the federal government to interfere
with the regulation by southern states
OF their domestic affairs.
There Is In the south stronger
feeling than ever among the intelli-
gent, weil-to-do and influential element
in favor OF the Industrial education OF
the negro and the encouragement OF
the race to make themselves useful
members OF the community.
THE NEGRo's PROGRESS IN LAST
FIFTY YEARS.
The progress which the negro has
made in the last fifty years from slav-
cry, when its statistics are reviewed
Il marvellous and II furnishes every
reason 10 hope that In the next twe1.
ty.fiye years still greater improve.
ment In his condition as a productive
member Of society. on the farm. and
in the shop and II other occupations
may come.
The negroes are now Americans.
Their ancestors came here years ago
against their will, and this Is their
only country and their only nag
They have shown themselves anxious
to live for Il and 10 die for IT, Encoun'
tering the race feeling against them
subjected at times TO cruel iniusticf
growing out OF Il. they may well have
our profound sympathy and aid In the
struggle they are making. We arc
charged with the sacred duty OF max
Ing their path as smooth and easy
as we can Any recognition OF their
distinguished men. any appointment
TO Office from among their number,
Is properly taken as an encourage.
ent and an appreciation Of their pro
eress. and this Just policy must be
preserved.
But Ii may well admit or doubt
whether in the case OF any race an
appointment Of one OF their number
to a local Office In q community in
which race feellung In so widespread
and acute as TO interfere with the
case and facility with which the 10.
cal government business can be done
BY the appointee. is OF sufficient bene-
~ by the way OF encouragement TO
the race to outweigh the recurrence
and increase Of race feeling which
such an appointment Is likely 10 en-.
gender. Therefore. the executive. IN
recognizing the negro race by appoint
ments. must exercise careful discre-
ton not thereby 10 do II more harm
than good.
On the other hand. We must be
careful not 70 encourage the mere
pretence OF race feeling manufactured
In the interest OF Individual political
ambition.
Personally ! have not the slightest
race prejudice or feeling and recogni-
ton of Its existence only awakens in
my heart a deeper sympathy for those
who have 20 bear Il or suffer from Il,
and question the wisdom OF a policy
which IL likely 10 increase II. Mean.
time. n nothing IL done 70 prevent. a
better feeling between the negroes
and the whites In the south will con.
tinue to grow and more and more OF
the white people will come TO realize
that the future OF the south is 10 be
much benefited BY the Industrial and
Intellectual progress Of the negro.
The exercise OF political franchise, by
those Of his race who are Intelligent
and wellto-do will be acquiesced In.
and the right 10 vote will be withheld