New-York tribune., 1909-10-30

5DLIFfEttN STATES. ET edgar tFsT~-
mans. Green & Co
TIE NEGRO PROBLEM: ABRAHAM
LJScOES'S SOLUTION By Wllhem
p fackett Eve Pr *, 80 @ i. Ful-
profoundly suggestive book upon
Southern problems comes 20 US from the
zen OF & ~riter already fsvoraoly known
as the author Of thoughtful work upon
the South. Mr. Murphy IS a philosopher,
and Philosopher with q streng practi-
al side. Possessing breadth OF under
standing, clarity OF vision and well
pcised judgment. and master Of a fercible
and pleasing style. no is able TO discuss
world old Questions in their bearing upon
-resent. day nsces with convincing vigor
and freshness. lie has also sympathy
in marked degree. and likewise consider
sGon The eternal problem, OF what &c
30 with the negro n America IS too cften
debated with sole regard foT the comfort.
interest end preferences OF the white
race. No such narrow handling of 4
familiar topic is that before Us. The
author takes q broad view; nc co-ordi-
mates the cosTaic forces of race as they
make themselves felt upon tie stage Of
the verld; hs is not afraid 20 essay the
letter Gights CT generalization, and ne
0rines the weight OF pitiless logic 10 bear
Hpoa the object Of his argument until
his point is driven home. And withai he
does not appear 50 much the advocate as
the idealist. the inspired dreamer, whose
vision Is not too remote 10 be attained,
not too exalted TO BE brought within the
realm OF concrete fact. Such a writer
ft nor destined 70 be = leader of the
masses IS likely 10 be recognized as
leader Of the leaders. He makes mon
.hink- Ee shapes the issues and so
exercises 2 subtle and controlling in
fuepce.
The powers OF the negro are not the
powers OF the white man, and the state
can never make him aught but a negro.
but Il can accord him the economic sup
port CT the profoundeT social forces OF
security, opportunity and hope. While
the South has much to correct, it is be-
lievsd that she viii never so far modify
her feeling in reference TO the validity OF
social differentiatiens as TO minimize the
significance OF race. The feeling Of race
is not a mere prejudice, and TO place
race antipstllies Of social groups among
childish phenomena betrays lack OF
familiarity with the complexities of race
adjustment under the conditions of q
democracy. A sane. righteous. whole
some solution is not advanced by a
spurious catholicity of race. The indi-
Niduality Of the white race III all its
finer and happier achievement is thing
TOO sacred, too Indispensable TO the ser
vice ef the world 10 be delivered TO the
dragging pressure of an inferior group
or to those seIf-corrupting antipathies
that forever tempt il. The weaker races
have also something individual, somc-
thing peculiar TO themselves which must
be conserved in the interest OF all.
The author has a very happy faculty
~ naming his chapters. and nothing bet
ter exernplifies his exceptional powers Of
condensation. II that entitled THE In
Givisi6le Inheritance he takes up the
1hcme that however muci. the negro has
suffered and endured and lost lie has
gained more. His fate has become so
iEextTicably involved with that Of
-~hArA-SEA EAJAp AAlt-- A-tE fNAQ4LtGflS cor
rolling the life and fortunes Of the one
must also surround and advance the
life and fortunes OF the other Some
conditions Of progress operate to the dis
advantage OF the weaker group but on
The whole the negro ard his offspring
have become the Joint benehciaries Of
cur civil, educational and political hcri-
age. The suffrage % the blacks has
beeB sharply limited by law, hut tire yerv
ct of limitation has involved rarroyv
ing Ct the basis OF the whole electorate
indiscriminate immunities were pro
claimed for white men. Ruthless dis
criminstions were pronounced agains,
black men. Within less than ten years
thousands OF the worthler blacks under
The amended constitutions have been. ad-
initted to the ballot, and IN Alabama
alone in tie first Presidential election
sfier fbe readjustment CT the suffrage
inoFe than half % the adult white men
did not qualify and vote In spite of all.
that which tae Southern majority de-
oiarea should happen and which the
Northern majority denounced as having
happened has not happened al all. Many
negroes have beea admitted many
white men have been excluded
Thus even political advantages are
being brought 10 the weaker group.
tough among al common benefits the
benefits Of prerogative will come last.
There Is no arbitrary or legislative way
20 make those strong who are not strong,
or 70 make those weak who arc not
weak. Those with the capacity for gov
eminent will govern. Tie negro enjoys
religious and eiyi! freedom, but these
were won for him, not by him. lie has
20 past, no tradition. no history of great
nlen 20 appeal 30. The very law he now
inVokes has come up out Of the suffering
and patience Of another social group. Il
IS the Towering OF the consciousness OF
another race; is in its genius and cx-
preston the white mans laW-made out
Il the texture OF the white mans expert
cnce and shot through and through with
The instructive assumptions Of a psychoI-
ogy to which the negro IS a negro is
largely alien. But tie law is his Il is
about his cradle. IT is his heritage. At
every point the negro receives. inherits.
lt IS Idle To talk about the ane, oldtime.
iliiteTate negro. He and the paternal-
istic coisditions Of his environment are