Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-07-05
.CONM,N INTEREST
!. BETWEEN NEGROES

| There seems to be no serious
thought or effort on the part Of ne
groes anticipatory to the commercial,
industrial. and political revolution
logically subsequent to the opening Of
the Panama canal and as to It's ef-
feet upon negroes. The commercial
aspect deserves profound considera.
ton; no less does the industrial and
political.
The tendency will be to draw into
closer relation all the countries OF
continental America and incidentally
! the whole world, by intensifying the
| interests Of the nations to facilitate
exchange with each other and to de.
vaop standards that will better serve
| industrial and commercial relations.
| BY reason of its proximity the south
will take on newer life. If the vast
ness OF its, resources must be ex-
/ plored and developed, the capitalists
will seize the situation with energy,
alertness and tenacity. Against the
exacting and tenacious capitalists la.
Dor must be protected. We still hear
more of the replication. that unions
are indispensable; that they cannot
exist without franchise; that 1t is I'M
safe to admit any laborers to unions
without franchise and especially with.
out ambition to secure franchise at all
! hazards. What answer will American
negroes make to the question that
they are without social efficiency to
withstand the sacrifice that franchise
and unionism demand? g..
The Panama canal will make new
south. Who is not willing to admit
! the possibility of new south becom'
! ing north, Yankee land? For an
instance, we are familiar with white
competition driving the negro waiter
| to the wall. Foreigners and native
born are hardfast in the clutches of
the high cost of living and must seek
and dignity any and every avenue of
f, employment. Even the native white
woman is competing with the negro
| woman for the scrub brush. II the
walters condition is without remedy,
will not this soon apply to other ave-
nues? There seems to be no public
sentiment to quicken in his favor,
either as to reforming hotel or as to
demanding better tips" This Is also
phase emanating from dwindling
political status affecting the industrial
outlooks.
This political status as appertaining
to the negroes of continental America
and it's islands will be revolutionized.
Negroes of the United States, in Hay
ii, San Domingo, Cuba, Brazil and Cen.
trail America are to be eQualized by
the ugly hand Of the arrogant eau
casian. VIII this be done to the white
mans taste or will nature foil him
and suit it to the taste of the negro?
Here are twenty-five million negroes
inhabiting countries whose climate
more or less is fashioned after the
climate of their origin, whose land
abounds In wealth, and where in some
! instances rights are equal and the
means by which to defend them are
1 equal.
4 Prejudice follows the American flag
/ The white man Is growing the same
everywhere, like causes produce like
| effects. what he has not done we may
expect him to attempt at any time. 1t
becomes matter of common interest
to all these negroes that justice shall
prevail The Panama canal will ap-
proximate them as if they were of
states of the same union. Where is
I the negro leader of construction
craftsmanship to marshal and apply
the means by which to bring about a
better understanding and substantial
helpfulness? This is the Negroes
prerogative.
It is urgent to cast his future into
the proper mold. The crisis is impend-
ing, shall Haiti retain her sovereign
ity, shall other island neighhors and
adjacent countries retain equal rights
and the means by which to defend
them and shall the reaction be the pc.
litical emancipation Of American ne
groes? I do not doubt the negroes of
these islands. They cannot endure
serfdom. TO them 1t would be more
bitter than death. If the test Is applied
will they not only successfully defend
themselves, but create a reaction that
, will produce the political emancipa-
ton of negroes? There has never
been an instance where any country,
however large. has conquered a negro
country, however small.
When Alexander was in quest of
kingdoms, had laid Egypt at his feet,
he fell against Abyssinia, was utterly
repulsed and had to retreat. England
threw her giant strength against her,
was defeated and had to withdraw.
Italy fell against her, with $4,000 SOL
3; diers. and In the decisive battle that
| followed lost $4,000 soldiers and off,
GERS, killed and wounded, 10000 arms,
| 200 field pieces and paid two million
dollars indemnity. LOverture and
Dessalines whipped England, France
and Spain to a "frazzle." Here half
million black men whipped half Of
Europe. Cuban negroes fought Spain
thirty years and won with the as
sistance Of the oath and 18th infan-
tries and the 9th and 10th cavalries
of the United States. They are now
fighting for Industrial and political
emancipation. Will they produce an.
other Maceo and win? American ne
groes will be. affected eventually by
! political changes to the south Of VI.
External forces once at work are
sometimes powerful in events shaping
other countries. When 1t became i'm
| minent that the revolt Of San Domin-
go negroes against their masters
would be successful, England said to
the United States, Let US abolish this