Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-27
RACE SOLUTION PLAN
A Commission From Both Sec
tons Proposed.
NO POLITICAL elimination
Secretary Dickinson's Suggestion
Strongly Contested.
ACHIEVEMENTS ELSEWHERE
Careful Study Of Foreign Examples
of Race Adjustments May Lead to
Effective American Solution. =
ACHIEVEMENTS ELSEWHERE

To the Editor Of The Star:
In a recent issue Of The Star is given
the gist of what Secretary Dickinson is
credited with believing to be the best
solution of the so-called negro problem,
wherein he proposes to eliminate that
race entirely from politics. Secretary
Dickinson is quoted as saying: There is
and always will be a negro problem, that
We cannot expect to see settled in the
sense that there will be no conflicts, or
that stable continuous basis regulating
the relations between the two races will
be reached at any time in the near
future
While we cannot now see the estab-
lisnment of any enduring basis regulat-
ing the relations tween the two races
and their progress under a common gov
eminent and civilization, we can by JUS
tice, wisdom and forbearance minimize
the evils and remove the acute situations
as they develop. Any basis looking to
anything like permanent adjustment for
continuous relations must be one that ap-
peals to the judgment of the entire coun-
try
No Political Elimination.
1t is to be deeply regretted that the
spirit of justice seen in the closing state
ment herein quoted should be marred by
the grievously unjust proposition to make
100000 loyal Americans pariahs in the
land of their birth. The Secretary of
War may not have intenued SO radical
proposition II true. this is indeed a
problem, but not a race problem. Why
should | and my children be thus denied
the right Of protection by the ballot, free
ly granted to the foreign born people
within our midst, and who would prob
ably leave the country at the first note OF
war? How will the negro ever learn the
obligations OF citizenship II no school of
politics be available? To be logical, if he
Is put in the same category as the wom-
en-. then he must be exempted from the
obligation of military duty in time of
public danger and not be called to defend
the country or bear arms on it's battle
fields, no more than are the women.
Probably this view was not considered
demands that it he considered. 1t is GER
tainly unjust to impose the obligation and
deny the privileges Of citizenship
Negroes Accomplishments.
In most of such cases involving unfair
propositions the speaker at the moment
fails to catch the import of the fact that
forty-eight years have passed since the
immortal Lincoln issued his world-famed
edict; that illiteracy among the colored
people is now below 40 per cent: that the
man Of color has been voter over forty
years; that he has, along with other citf-
zens. supported the policies of the repub-
lican party, which has been accorded
political support by majority of the
American people. These facts held in
View, / ask:
Will ha 0rit Of
pie be willing to do this injustice to their
faithful ally? l believe not
The colored men are patriotic and will
assist in securing an honorable peace. a
peace that will be satisfactory to both
colors. No other peace will be peace at
all. In the year 1893 and during the
years Immediately following the emanci-
patton in the West Indies, a boon pur-
chased by the people of England at cost
of $1UU,OOO0OO, much race bitterness fol-
lowed, but truce of peace was found
few years later by Lord Mulgraye, which
both colors accepted as a truce to open
violence and the trouble was at an end
Ii the English nation in 1893, then only
90 OO.OOO strong, could appropriate $780,
O,DOCO to abolish slavery in all it's colo
MES, the United States could we'll afford
to pay as much or more now. after spend
ing s., 100000 in devastating war, to
secure on just basis a lasting peace
between the races. If France and Eng
land can devise mOdus vivendi on this
line, certainly the United States can also
solve the problem France had such an
other problem in GuadelOupe and Mar
Unique after 1913, but found peace SOL
vent without doing injustice.
Foreign Examples.
England's solvent method in the Island
of MauTitius, now one of the wealthiest
spots on earth, brought peace and pros
perity to its people. There, as in the
West Indies, the blacks outnumber the
hites nearly ten to one, but they all live
in peace and harmony, because each has
confidence that justice will prevail in any
difference and is satisfied of the friend
ship of each other. This peace pact was
not secured on the basis Of might making
right. In England Lord Morley, through
an act of parliament, has just extended
the representation of the natives in India
In Trinidad Sir Ralph Woodford and his
successor, Sir Evan McGregor Were able
to bring to that island a satisfactory
measure of peace without invading the
manhood rights of either color.
My attention for a long time has been
focused upon this question of the rela-
lions throughout the word today OF the
where the latter have been held in bond
age. l have made within the limits of my
opportunities during the last fifteen years
an exhaustive study of the problem and
midabe than most people suppose. Three
important factors enter into it, each
necessary to satisfactory solution
education, tolerance and the spirit of
Christianity. When these have been ad-
mitted and begun their work, time will
effect the complete cure.
A Commission.
My Investigations lead me to suggest
that commission, preferably of seven
members, be created, four whites and
three colored, two whites and one colored
from the south, two whites and one COL
ored from the north and one colored from
the country at large. This commission to
visit the places where measure of peace
has been secured and report as to their
observations, and how peace with honor
may be secured in the United States be-
tween those Of varying colors.
I have recently seen it stated, and by
those who should know better. that negro
enfranchisement was a serious mistake.
This is not justified by the facts of polit-
zeal history The granting of the ballot
to the former slaves at the south was
nolitical necessity. The exigencies Of the
situation at the south Immediately fol-
lowing the close of the war demanded it.
The war had left the former slaves free,
but without means of protection. The
necessity for such was seen in 1866. when
Tho forY,oor slave states commenced the