Franklin's paper the statesman., 1911-08-19

ligence. and larger and larger numbers
of them demand the rights and privileges
of American citizens as a matter of un-
doubted desert
Today these rights are largely denied
In order to realize the disabilities under
which Negroes suffer regardless of edu-
cation. wealth or degree of white blood
we may divide the United States into
three districts-the southern south. con-
tanning rs per cent of the race; the border
states containing 15 per cent. and the
north and west. containing 10 per cent.
They receive a distinct standard of JUS
tice in the courts and are especially liable
to mob violence. are segregated SO far as
possible in every walk of life-in railway
stations, railway trains. street cars. lifts.
etc.-and usually made to pay equal prices
for inferior accommodations.
They are often unable to protect their
homes from INVASION their women from
insult and their savings from exploitation;
are taxed for public facilities. like parks
and libraries, which they may not enter;
are given meager educational facilities
and sometimes none at ALL are liable to
personal insult unless they appear as
servants or menials or show Difference to
white folks b. yielding the roads, etc.
To many of these disabilities there are
personal and local exceptions. In cities,
for instance. the chance to defend the
home. get an education and somewhat
better wages is greater and mob violence
less frequent Then there are always
some personal exceptions--cases Of help
and courtesy, of justice in the courts and
of good schools. These are however. ex-
ceptions, and. as rule. all Negroes, no
matter what their training, possessions
or desert, subjected to the above dig,
abilities. Within the limits of these caste
restrictions there are much good will
and kindliness between the races and es-
pecially much personal charity and help
How the Race Is Distributed.
The 15 per cent of the Negro population
living on the border states suffer a little
less restriction. They have some right of
voting, better able to defend their
homes and are less Disseminated against
in the expenditure of public funds. In the
cities their schools are much better. and
hublic insult is less noticeable.
In the north the remaining 10 per cent
of the Negro population is legally undis-
eliminated against and may attend schools
and churches and vote without restriction.
AS a matter of fact. however they are
made in most communities to feel that
they are undesirable. They are either re-
fused accommodation at hotels. restau-
rants and theaters or received reluctantly.
Their treatment in churches and general
cultural organizations is such that few
Join. Intermarriage with whites brings
ostracism and public disfavor. and in
Common la Dor and menial work Is open
to them. but aver" above this In skilled
labor or the pr ions. save as they
serve their own rs-.e. are extremely diff
cult to enter. and there is much discrim-
nation in wages. Mob violence has be-
come not inf.equent In later years.
There are here also many exceptional
cases, instances OF preferment in the in
dustrial and political world. and there is
always some little social intercourse On
the whole. however. the Negro In the
north is an ostracised person who finds
1t difficult to make a good living or spend
his earnings with pleasure.
Under these circumstances there has
grown up Negro world in America
which has its own economic and social
life. its churches. schools and newspa-
pers: its literature, public opinion and
ideals. This life is largely unnoticed and
unknown even in America, and travellers
miss 1t almost entirely.
The average American in the past made
at least a prctense of excusing the dis
elimination against Negroes on the ground
of their ignorance and poverty ana their
tendencies to crime and disease. While
the mass Is still poor and unlettered. 1t IS
admitted by all today that the Negro Is
rapidly developing a larger and larger
class of intelligent property holding men
of Negro descent. Notwithstanding this
more and more race lines are being drawn.
which involve the treatment OF civilized
men in an uncivilized manner.
This philosophy the thinking Negroes
and large number of white friends Wig
orously combat. They claim that the ra-
cial differences between white and black
In the United States offer no essential
barrier to the races living together on
terms of mutual respect and helpfulness.
They deny. the one hand. that the
large amalga nation OF the races already
accomplished has produced degenerates
In spite Of the unhappy character of these
unions on the other hand they deny
any desire to lose the identity Of either
race through intermarriage. They claim
that 1t should be possible for civilized
black man to be treated as an American
citizen without harm to the republic and
that the modern world must learn to treat
colored races as equals II it expects to
advance.
They claim that the Negro race in
America has more than vndicated its
ability to assimilate modern culture. Ne
gro blood hes furnished thousands of SOL
diers to defend the flag in every war In
which the United States has been en-
gagged. They are a most important part
of the economic strength OF the nation.
and they have furnished number of men
of ability in politics. literature and art.