The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26

aud generous hospitality, and In which
the so-called slaves. as members Of
the household, served as retalners and
enjoyed life OF comfort and contents
ment under influences and regulations
which we're devoid OF any semblance
OF cruelty or unkindness.
When, however, the crisis came the
world turned its back on us because
II could not understand that we were
hghting for principle disconnected
with any existing practice, and in its
haste to condemn an institution 1t
did not reflect that the South had
to contend not With an institution
that could be wiped out with the
stroke OF pen. but wi.n problem
that had been Inherited and which
originally had been imposed upon an
unwilling people by the ancestors Of
thaose who now gathered UP their
phyiacterios and cried out "unclean."
The time was when It was money in
their purses to import slaves and
maintain tho institution, but that time
had passed and new conscience must
Sit In Judgment upon their neigtbors'
wronsdoing.
The temple OF our civilization was
pulled down because one of It's columns
was black. II was an offense to the
pasBerby who did not stop TO inquire
OF the history and conditions which
had made the structure In It's existing
form necessary result, and for which
the world and not the South was re-
sponsible.
Gradual Emancipation Impossible.
To remove the hlemish by gradual
emancipation with compensation was
too slow process for tho enthusiast,
TOO expensive for the selfish prudent,
and too wicked for the fanatic to
contemplate. The structure must be
DESTROYED regardless of the woes that
its fail must bring TO the section
whose social fabric had been con-
structed and based upon the inherent
instinct OF the separation of the races
and the existence OF a dominant race.
In the springtime OF 1877. when the
honeysuckle was in bloom, the remaina
of William Watts were borne from
his home TO the family graveyard upon
the shoulders OF his sorrowing and
faithful dependents who had been his
playm ltes In his youth and who. from
choice. had served his family through
all the disastrous years that followed
the closing OF the war and the estab-
lishment of their freedom
In a way this scene marked the
final closing OF the old regime. and
by none was this realized more keenly
than by the throng of humble depend
ents whose gentle song at his grave
waited the spirit Of Mars William to
its final rest.
These people did not want any
forty acres and mule: they oraved
and the ministering care of Miss
Lettie. the sweet sister. who, for many
years. had with gentle courtesy pre-
sided over the daily domestic affairs
at "Oaktands.
Nearly fifty years have gone by
since alien hands have undertaken to
settle and finally dispose OF the great
problem that has confronted the
Southern people resulting from the in
PRODUCTION in their midst OF African
slavery with the additional complica-
lions incident to the enfranchisement
OF tho race Millions OF dollars have
been spent in unsuccessful expert
ments Volumes have been written
exploiting the theories of those who
are far removed from the firing line
of personal and social responsibility.
and now. after this half.century of
effort, we are told by those who have
done their best In faithful endeavor
that the task is too great-the South
must settle the negro question,
Again, we assume the white mans
burden, and may favoring Providence
grant us wisdom courage. patience
and forbearance to deal with the
great problem, which has been placed
in our hands again for solution, in a
manner that is fair and Just to a de-
pendent race and honorable to Anglo
Saxon manhood.
The career Of William Watts and
his associates in meeting the phase Of
the problem that confronted their
generation will be an inspiration to
their SUCCESSORS to carry forward to
successful conclusion the difficult
situations which could not at that
time be properly brought to con-
clusion.
LucIAN H. COOKE.
May as. 1910