Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-09-08
4 MESSAGE FROM 4
BROTHER IN WHITE

thulhEk IN WHILE
~ ii II. RILEY.
Only once before have / ventured
to invade your columns to occupy
small space, but am 40 impressed by
the worth OF the negro, as an asset Of
American civilization, the more
study him. that l dare to ask again
to be heard, In order that may say
word by way OF suggestion.
My study and investigation of the
conditions and possibilities Of the col
ored race, especially as It pertains
to the Aates OF the south, have awak-
ened profound interest in Its well
fare. and while am doing my utmost
In many directions for the benefit Of
the negro, there are two practical
suggestions which wish right now to
make.
One OF these 10 that want to urge
on our colored people the extreme i'm
portance Of buying land in the south,
as rapidly as possible, and every inch
possible. The present Is the golden
opportunity of the negro in the south.
Lands are now cheap compared with
that which they will bring in the years
or the Immediate future. The compile
ton Of the Panama canal will mark
an era in the history Of the south,
and especially In the states lying
along the seaboard. The completion
OF the great canal will be the occa-
sion Of a shift of population to the
south. People who come will want
lands, and will have to have them.
The waste places will be reclaimed.
and lands now accounted valueless
will become valuable. That work is
already in progress in some parts OF
the south, notably in the swamp and
lagoon districts Of southern Louisiana.
Theories Of government and laws
are valuable. as they relate to free,
dom and independence of action, but
ownership Of land surpasses in sub
stantial Importance every other agency
in procuring liberty, independence, and
the pursuit Of happiness. Economic
foundations based on land ownership
are stable, and procure advantages not
had elsewhere, on in any other way.
Every colored man who can buy land
should do SO. It's possession 10 both
an open door and an open highway to
substantial freedom and Independent
There are some things for which the
negro can afford to wait but not In
the ownership Of land. If one can buy
only few acres, let him do 80, on the
best terms possible, live hard If neces-
/ ary till 1t is paid for, buy more. and
keep buying, as fast and as far as
he can. II he has a few acres, he has
basis, and from that let him proceed.
With the muscularity and will, two
assets which the colored man has, and
they are invaluable, he should be able
to own much land within the next few
years. Lands are now abundant and
cheap In the markets Of the south,
and the immense advantage should
not be sighted. Within a few years
the opportunity will close, and to
every one who owns real estate 1t will
be blessing Unreasonable to him and
his, while he who hath not, will be
handicapped for all time to come.
Within a short period Of years, the
land question will be one which will
divide between the two classes Of
blacks. The advantage will be many
sided and too much to be discussed
now, but for one thing 1t will iden-
tify him with the common interests Of
the community, and his services as
citizen and patriot viii be in de-
mand. When this comes to pass, the
negro will have come to his own. Let
me not be misunderstood, for speak
from q viewpoint of perfect knowl-
edge. ],
The present writer was in one Of
the wealthiest counties in Mississippi
some months ago, and when on Sun
day the negroes came to church to
hear him preach, driving fines horses
to carriages, and riding in automo-
biles, the spectacle was SO rare, that he
asked what 1t all meant. A white-friend
with whom he was staying smilingly
remarked that the negroes owned the
chief plantations in the county, and
the most OF the land. This was to me
exceedingly pleasing. Just this week
I was In South Alabama, my native
region, and was told by one of the
wealthiest white citizens OF the re-
gion Of colony Of colored people
who had gone several years ago into
region In Conecuh county, bought
lands, built their homes. churches and
schoolhouses, had made fine crops
every year, and was one $of the most
prosperous communities in that part
OF the state He said that they had
their stores, a post ONCE Of their own,
telephones, were contented, happy and
prosperous, peaceable. neighborly
with their white friends. and the most
obliging people he ever knew. Many
other things he said In detail. "A Of
which IL comprehended In the general
statements already given, but the
root -of It ali was that 30 valuable
were these good people. that II It
were necessary their white friends
would protect them against any Inn
position. / saw one Of their country
churches near the village Of Bellville,
and 1t would be an ornament In any
town or city. The praise voluntarily
given Of those excellent people was
little short Of the extravagant. It did
the heart Of q white friend, profound
PES