The Colorado statesman., 1912-07-13
SELF-RESTRAlNT IN The
USE OF AUTHORITY

A LACK OF FAIRNESS AND PoIsE
SHOWN BY THE AVERAGE Me-
GRO ON REACHING A PLACE OF
DISTINCTION AND POWER =
THE YOUNG NEGRO MAY
SCHOOL HIMSELF TO AVOID
WREckiNG HIS LIFE ON THE
HIDDEN ROCKS OF AUSTERITY
AND coNcElT.
Editorial Contribution to the Southern
Life Magazine.
Respect for the opinions of others Is
something to which we cannot all lay
claim. 1t is not by any means neces-
sary that each individual in this world
should read Blackstone's Commen-
taries in order to get clear idea of a
persons individual rights and privi-
leges-those he is entitled to demand
for no reason other than that his is a
sane human being.
1t ought to be necessary only to call
the attention of any warped, biased
Intellect to the necessity, for his own
future good, of thinking and meditat-
every person, ignorant or intelligent,
is due hearing when he is concerned
and desires it, and that according to
the teaching OF Christianity and of civ
lization generally, every persons
opinions ought to be considered and
at least be respected as his right to
them even though they cannot be &C
cepted.
The infidel, sceptlc or agnostic has
a right TO express the conclusions OF
his reasonings; so has the anarchist
1t seems to us that we need be seri-
ously concerned in our treatment OF
any one only in so far as that person
allows his opinions to influence his
actions toward us or toward his fell
bowman generally.
We feel safe in concluding that
there is never an excuse for con-
temptuously disregarding, discounting
or villifying any individual because OF
his thoughts or opinions merely. 1t
must be admitted that 1t is every ones
unhindered right to think, and to ex-
press his thoughts should he see fit so
to do.
We fear that the negro can lay a
far smaller claim to a share of this
than can any other race of people.
Imposed upon most unreasonably
when slave. legislated against as
freeman and treated as though he
landed upon this earth accidentally
from some other planet, the average
black man today finds himself falling
out repeatedly with his neighbors who
may chance to entertain opinions at
variance to his own. 1t seems to
be a natural result following past les
sons taught him when he was pow
erless to decide what he wished to
learn.
On coming into possession of a lit
tie authority we find the average negro
overbearing; not wearing his honors
with becoming grace and humility.
We find him often discounting the
wishes, desires or demands of his sub
ordinates, and falling out entirely with
any who might entertain thoughts and
opinions that cannot coincide with his
own Unreasonableness often holds
sway In his decisions and actions.
The young negro who is gradually
gaining a place in the world, Is hereby
warned that If he wishes permanently
to retain influence with his fellows
and enjoy their highest respect and
esteem. he must ever be watchful to
retain his poise and equilibrium; not
to become naughty, domineering and
tyrannical but to remember that the
possession of power gives him no
further right to treat people as peo-
pie treat cattle. than he had when
first he was born.
Every aspirant for place and posi-
tion should hold in mind that however
strong are his convictions in any di-
rection there exist Numerically op-
posite convictions. just as strong as
his, and the persons possessing
them have a perfect right to them.
and not only can but should expect
decent treatment from him in spite of
these differences. Any one who can
not see the wisdom of these observa-
tions is narrow indeed And he who
will not be Influenced by the advice
here given must be hopeless case
and a coming tyrant.
We feel that the young negro espe-
cially needs to learn these lessons.
He ought never forget that whatever
other way his feelings dictate. he is
unreasonable when he falls out with
a fellow because he beats him in an
argument.