The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1910-04-22
THE DANGER PERIOD.

The American Negro has made such
rapid progress in the forty odd years
he has enjoyed his semi-freedom in
this country that those who pretend
TO be the most prejudiced toward
him are compelled to admit that his
advancement has been marvellous.
Newspapers and magazines have de-
voted column after column and
rage after page in laudation Of the
Negro, and while he deserves every
word of praise that has been given,
after all it would be we'll for him to
remember that much is yet to be &C
complished before he can take his
place in the front ranks of the TWEEN
tieth-century commercial advance
ment. All are familiar with the con-
ditions that surrounded the four mil
lion slaves who were emancipated in
1865, and those who have been obser-
want know somewhat Of his standing
to-day. And it is on this point that
we wish to dwell.
In literature, art and science the
Negro has given splendid account
Of himself. He has proven that his
brain Is as fertile as that Of any
other race; and one Negro is per.
fectly willing that every other Negro
have all the learning he can get. The
race is absolutely harmonious along
that line, and we see no danger OF a
6.scord. In church, society and all
things of benevolent nature there
is no apparent discord. But there is
an accusation in which trehe is
great danger of the Negro striking a
snag, namely, the world of commerce.
The question yet to be answered is
this: Can the Negro as a race and as
an individual stand prosperity? Has
he that pride that impels men to
strive to help their fellow-men build
up great enterprises? This is the
great problem, and one that must be
solved.
If the Negro is to be factor in
the development of the world he
must learn that it requires many
years of earnest and persistent eff
fort to build up commercial enter
prises. He must learn that all men
are not constructors. He must also
learn that the man who is succeed
ing must be allowed to proceed in his
own way, or else what he would
make a success will be a sad failure.
The Negro is making great strides
with private concerns and with those
organized by companies Of men and
Established by societies, churches and
other organizations, but there is too
great tendency on the part Of those
who think themselves learned and
: who are considered so by the people,
to decry these efforts put forth for
: the good Of the people. The individ'
ual Negro can succeed despite the
3 faultfnding of the wise-acres if he
will deal fair with the people, but
o it is not always possible for the man
: to do so who Is managing a concern
}. that is fostered by company or or
!. ganization. 1t is in the latter case:
where the damage can be done; fol
r the self-styled smart fellows can ge
IN their work when the time comes
i for election. They can, If they hav'
g the desire-and they are liable to-
incite the masses to believe that tn
man they have delegated to conduc
their affairs is practicing dishonesty
and these faultfnders can II
n many instances manipulate thing
J. to the end to have those d
g. the voting who have been converte
E. to their false teachings, and they ca
e thereby put out of commission tn
Is man who is succeeding and put in
!" man Of their choice. The me-