The Colorado statesman., 1912-03-09
MUCH INTEREST in
west indian DEBATE
Majority of Jamaicans Side
With 0'Connor DeCordova
in Controversy.
MORE VIEWS ON sUBJEcT-J. 8.
WATSON CHARGES THAT THAD-
DEUS L. MCDONALD MADE UN-
WARRANTED ATTACK ON
MR.. DE coRDoVA.

New York.-Many West Indian ne
groes now living in this county, who
have been following the discussions
relative to true conditions in Jamaica,
are inclined to side with the views eI-
pressed on the subject by Attorney
O'Connor DeCordova rather than with
the impressions Of Thaddeus L. Nc
Donald, a student at Morgan college,
Baltimore. Among those to side with
Mr.. DeCordova is ]. 8. Watson, a ma
tive Of Jamaica, who asserts that Mr.
Mcdonald made warranted attack
on Mr.. DeCordova.
Mr.. Watson says:
During the long, drawn-out West
Indian discussion in the papers, re-
manned passive for the reason that l
abhor the idea Of making myself con-
spicuous in print, and further, because
of entertaining the hope that sooner or
later some disinterested party would
appear who would give the American
public an impartial impression of the
West Indian, based on his personal OBJ
servation.
When, Therefore, l read O'Connor
DeCordova's article respecting the
West Indies, l concluded that it
would terminate the controversy; first,
because Mr.. DeCordova Is, to use Mr..
McDonald's expression, "a man Of in
tellectual attainment, social status and
an unblemished character" secondly,
because Of his vast experience through
many years practice at the bar and
later as high government official,
which brought him in contact with all
classes of West Indians; and thirdly,
because he is white man.
"Thaddeus L. McDonald's unwar-
ranted attack on Mr. DeCordova's very
fair statement has now induced me
to take up the issue. l wish it dis
tinctly understood at the ouset that
my purpose is not to discuss the rela-
tive merits of the West Indian and
the American, for that is not the point
at issue. Furthermore, 1t Is conceded
that in every country on the face of
the earth there are two classes of
persons; the one representing the best
type of citizenship and the other the
conduct of whose members reflects
discredit and disgrace on the land Of
1t would therefore be unfair to one
country as to the other to select rep
resentative West Indian negro for
comparison with a low type American
negro and vice versa, and then say
here is a proof of their superiority. Be
that as it may; let us now examine
some of Mr.. McDonald's criticisms:
Mr. Mcdonald agrees with Mr.. De-
Cordova that negroes in Jamaica are
prominent in all walks of life, but de-
clares that that gentleman has made
the mistake of confounding the pros
perity of the few with the welfare Of
the many, and then asks: Who are
these men of whom Mr. DeCordova
has spoken?' His answer Is rich men,
in some cases learned men; and in
most cases men who do not regard
themselves as negroes.
Il know of no country where there
is an equal distribution of it's wealth
among it's inhabitants and where a
general satisfaction prevails, except it
be Moore's suggested 'Utopia'-some
must be rich and others poor. Nor do
/ know of any land where there Is an
people-some must be learned and 9TH
ers illiterate. If all were commercial
men there would be no customers; If
all were professional men there would
be no clients or patients.
while admitting that the governor
bestows judicial offices and other gov
ernment positions on the negroes, Nc
Donald says that these seeming hon
ors are only blind to the real con-
ditions of the negro in Jamaica, and
in fact, 1t is mere pretext to strength
en- the disadvantages and injustices
under which the black man of Jamaica
is laboring. This statement refutes it.
self. In the ordinary run of things
and according to the principles Of
clear logic, it seems to me that any
honor or distinction conferred by high
er authorities on a member or men,
bers of a particular race is a recogni
ton and an admission Of its worth
which rebounds to the credit Of the
entire race and enhances its status
as a consequence thereof.
But 1t appears that the sole griev-
ance of this gentleman is the question
of social equality. Good society, like
all other well organized associations,
lays down certain conditions prece-
dent to entering 1t and imposes GER
tain reasonable rules to regulate its
membership and to maintain its prir
ciples and ideals, and that, too, wheth-
er 1t is composed of a mixed race or
Of one particular race. The failure Of
an aspirant to comply with these re-
quirements should not be made a
ground for complaint. nor should 1t be
deemed a good cause for airing his
disappointment and chagrir.
"It may be argued since these favor
nhla cnnditions exist why don't they