The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-13

ceeded on certain gratuitous assumptions and theories concerning the negro, and have acted on these as though they were facts and where the efficiency and valu- able service of colored men and women
 have overset these we have fallen back on another set of fanclful notions and have proceeded as before. One of these assumptions has been, and still is that the negro is to be controlled by means of force. We think of the chaingang, the jail and of other forms of penalty mostly in connection with the negro, and seldom of the means of suasion and of patient guidance as process of equipment for service, Yet the fact remains that where these gentler and more efficacious means have been employed. the result has gener- ally been most satisfactory The negro is man, and we cannot morally, econon- icaliy or otherwise treat him as less There is one outstanding fact in this immediate connection that demands more than merely passing attention There is lingering idea. in the minds Of not a few that the close of the European war will bring to our borders unnumbered thousands of cheap laberers, when, as a matter of fact, the depletion of the la- boring forces in European countries will l require that every one possible be kept
 at home. Even should they come, Afbey. | WIar~ l acter Of service that our own southern
 blacks would. In the north thes4 same I European people have been Used for many years. and they have begotten a serious problem up there, and now we
 have it that the north is turning south
 ward to lure away our ablest laborers,
 most skilled men and women of the black
 race and they are desired because of their proficiency Here we have theory 1 vs. fact displayed again in most strik- ing way and to our detriment While this article might be considerably ampli- fled. as number of other phases might be brought into view. I will close with just one other thought. We have in the south practically 100000 negro people, or about one-third of our southern popula-
 tion, We have also many million of acres of land-unused, misused and abused. Why is there not sufficient economic and commercial farsightedness and forward leokingness among us of the south, in some way, to bring these facts together. Within the pale of civilization there is not to be found similar condition, where great industrial asset is left unor- ganized. We can permanently anchor the negro in the south. He wants to remain here This is his native region as it is ours. He has no desire to leave but the Inducements to flee from expressions of vengeful violence, no matter who may be disposed to exercise it, the harsh treatment of petty officials and of url- due and unnecessary discrimination in schools and in much else. lure him away to unccngeniai clmes and to regions un-
 desired, and now we are confronted by
 the consequence.
 write this as a southerner, a native
 Alabamian, and one of a slaye-holding ancestry, l cannot therefore. be accused
 of undue hysteria concerning the negro
 and am prompted only by sentiments of
 humanity justice, and by those in com
 mon with others. of economy. That these
 sentiments may not accord with those of
 some others is without influence on me
 Here are bald facts with which We have
 to do, and not fancies. In the language
 of the late President Cleveland: "It is q
 condition that confronts us, not
 theory"