Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-27
HARDING MAKES APPEAL
TO SOLVE RACE PROBLEM

sorbinS /" It's concerns or the pres
cnt that too often we have neither
time nor interest for the morrow. Yet
there never was Il time when VIC
needed SO much to study our past
and, In the liS hit of it's lessons give
earnest thought to the tomorrows.
"Exhaustcd and affriShtcd by tho
horrors of the World War, the ma
lions arc seeking means , prevent
repetition Of such an experience. Our
own country. though its necessities
arc less oncrous. its difficulties not
so gricvous az those Of many others.
has yet occasion 70 consider wherein
II may better It's methods, adjust 1t
self TO the new relationships ana
equip itself for the new sort OF s,rug-
gle that lies ahead. Concerning on.
phase OF this national problem. 7
want TO say q few words.
III the Civil War marked the be-
ginnings Of 'udur,rialism In "a South
which n previously been altnos, en-
tirely agricultural the World War
brought ~ 70 full rcco milton tina,
the race problem is national! rather
than ,crely sectional. There are 10
authentic statistics, but il is common
hHDN ifIEt lnat lnt worm WAR WIS
marked By "A great migration Of col
orcd people To the North and West.
They were attracted by the demand
for labor and the higher wages or
fcrcd. The slow movement had beer,
In progress for decades before, but
II was vastly accelerated because or
the war. and has continued at only n
slackencd pace since. II has brought
the question OF race closer 10 North
and West. and ! believe II has served
10 modify somewhat The views o:
thos. sections on this rcStiOn. IT
has made the south realize its indus
trial dependence ON the labor OF the
black man and made the North
realize the difficulties Of Ia commu-
nifty In which two greatly differing
races arc brought To live sid. by
side. ] should Il that IL has been
responsible for n larger charity on
both sides. a beginning Of better un-
d~crstand'-.g: and in IL. light OF Ia
better understanding perhaps W..
shall be able to consider this prob
lem together as a problem Of all
sections and Of both races. In whose
solution the best intelligence OF both
must be enlisted.
POLITICALLY and cconomically Their.
need be no occasion for great ana
permanent differentiation. for limita-
tons OF tho individuals opportunity.
provided that on both eldes there
shall be recognition OF the absolute
divergence in things social and rn-
ciai. When | sugGcs the possibili,.
ot economic equality between the
vlnlG -. ., :. To-, .,.Lfe-f s ~. 80.
way and To the same extent that
would mcan it If | spoke OF cqua!it,
of economic opportunity as between
mombers Of the same race. I'm each
case | would mean equality proTor
toned I" the honest capacities ana
deserts OF til. Individual.
"Mcn ot both raves may well stand
uncomprOmisiug!y against every SUI:
rcstion OF social equality. Indeed
IT would be hcIprul TO have the wore
equality eliminated from this con
sidcration; 10 have II accepted OF
both sides that THIS is not II qwesii"'
Of social equality, but a question OF
recognizing a fundamental. cterna.
and incsca pnble difference. we shall
have made real progress when we
develop an attitude In the public ana
community thought Of both races
which recognizes this dinereuSe.
Take arst the political aspect. |
would say let the black man vote
when he is 1T TO o;e prohibit the
white man voting when lac is UNFIT TO
vote. Especially would I appeal to
IN" s~clf-rcspcct - the colored race.
ION the other hand. would insist
upon eGGal educational opportunity
for both. This does not mean that
both would become equally educated
within 4 generation or two genera
or ten generations. Even men
OF the same race do not accomplish
such an equality as that. Thcy never
VIII. The Providence tina endowed
with widely unequal capacities
and capabilities and energies did not
intend any such thing.
but there must be such education
the colored people as VIII
enable them TO develop their own
leaders. capable OF understanding and
sympathizinS with such a d%inorentia-