The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1919-08-07

80 per the Negro population years Of age
In the prisons Of the south there are proper
tionatey five times as many Negro prisoners white
Forty per cent all persons engaged Agricultural
pursuits in the south Negroes These facts show
that the question Of adjusting these people the
American ideals Of government and civilization should
interest ali thoughtful and patriotic Americans.
One Of the main barriers TO the solution Of the
Negro problem is the fact that many honest persons
have been led believe that the Negro is trying to
edge into political and social equality. Moth
ing is further from the truth. As Negroes become
educated and able to and thus live better.
they Andng increased satisfaction among mem
bers of their race. Intelligent Negroes are as
proud the proudest white and have no desire TO
force themselves where they not wanted What
they seek 10 live in decent surroundings a. pos
sibe and not be etenaly condemned to life in the
neglected sums with the lowest element Of their race.
Negroes want the ballot they know that voteeas
people Is yoiceleaa people. and most Of them agree
with Lincoln that man is good enough to govern
another without that man g consent
careful study Of the social and economic status
Of the Negroes shows conclusively that in many Of
he states Negro education Is neglected In several
states where tho Negro population is very large
lous attempt is made provide adequate educational
facilities for Negroes. The average length of the
school term is four months; nearly all schools are
taught in dilapdated churches which Of course are
other essentials of school II might be interesting
TO note that through the generosity Of Mr. julius
Rosenwad. Of Chicago rural schools are being pro-
yided in several southern states. For instance, in
1915 there had been erected in Alabama 107 school
houses North Carolina eleven and Georgia eight
through Mr. Rosenwalds benefacuons. 1t is hard
to find reason for the Indifference Of the American
people toward Negro education. for laying aside all
questions Of equity the liberal use of public funds
% he of for aIJt III
and more clearly recognized good business for no
state or nation can be prosperous with large per
cent of its population ignorant
In the border states-Maryland West Virginia
Kentucky and Missouri-Negroes have not been dis
iranchised the percentage of ilteracy is not near
as high as in the southern states as. for example in
South Carolina the percentage Of Negro ieracy is
&87 in Missouri 4. Georgia ass, West Virginia 90
These facts show clearly that the south deprived
of the right to and participate in his government
the Negroes are not given fair chance to become
intelligent American citizens President Wilson saws
that unless man performs his fun duty re is not
entitled to a right. How people denied the right
10 participate in their government or chance 10 get
a common school education ever know the duties of
citizenship understand the fundamental principles
Of government necessary Tor citizenship in the Ameri-
can democracy?
The trainers Of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
old spirit of John G. Calhoun and jefferson Davis had
not been crushed in the south we're careful to add
10 these amendments the provision that congress.
should have the power TO enforce them by appropriate
legislation II stands today to the disgrace Of deroc
ratio America. and to the Republican party paricu-
ary that these safeguards Negro rights have teef
ignored The status of the Negroes in the south to-
day is the same as if the Fifteenth Amendment had
never been passed
that what called the rights of man become tnrbu-
leHt and dangerous. When a Negro reads IN the
newspapers articles and editorials about the wrongs
Of Bofian he begins to thing about his own wroncs2
II aWocracH Is wrong in Europe 1t is wrong in Amer
ica. Il the plain people of INrope are To have no
choice IN their government America can no longer
allow any of her citizens to be dafranchised because
they are Coored
The returning Negro soldiers many OF them with
an empty sleeve or wanting leg VIII not be satisfied
With some of the old conditions They Will want to
share the democracy ought they 10 he SATISFIED
with the old conditions regards voting ridine on
Jim Gro" cars. housing and waEese Can America
expect men 70 offer themselves the altar of freedom
That Italians Bestans and czech. he free and a, The
ane time bc compelled to suffer an kinds Of hun,iIia
uon a. the hands Of their countryncne Many peopio
excuse The south for ynchinss because the victims
are eoiore1 Bui Presueu, Wilson says that many of
them have Fought az the Yer, front
Ne-roes have watched carefully the event. q, the
'a5t two wears They have .eeu America forrettinr
Nosh.neton monitor. Up avoid foreign alliances
shake 'e tAr isolation of century and decide tho
sre1 World war Ibc> have heard the president sum
mon Go The defense OF America and her ideals all
mcn brave and true without regard 10 race or ro5-.
thoy baye heard him declare that this war was for
hH"3n''f and that we were 6chuns e. make thc
world sa.o far Democracy They ,stened with breath
ho 3 81. -ha1