The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-10-29

it has caused this question OF races
to be, as have already said, no
longer one of q particular section.
Just as I do not wish the south to-
be politically Of one party; just $50
believe that it is bad for the south,
and for the rest Of the country as
we'll, 80 I do not want the colored
people to be entirely Of one pardy.
I wish that both the tradition#of a
solidly democratic south and the
tradition of a solidly republican
black race might be broken aE-
Neither political sect aiism nor
any system Of rigid groupings Of
the people will in the long run
prosper our country.
with such convictions one aGsS
urge the people Of the south to
take advantage Of their superior
understanding of this problem and
to assume an attitude toward II
that will deserve the confidence Of
the colored people. Likewise, I
plead with my own political party
to lay aside every program that
looks to lining up the black man
as mere political adjunct. Let
there be an end Of prejudice and
of demogogy in this line. Let the
south understand the menace that
lies in forcing the black race into
an attitude of political solidarity.
Every consideration, it seems to
me. brings us back at last to the
question of education. When =
speak of education as a part Of this
race question I do not want the =
states or the nation to attempt to
educate people, whether white or
black, .nto something they are net
fitted to be. I have no sympathy
with the half-baked altrulsn that
would overstock us with doctors
and lawyers of whatever color, and
leave us in need Of people fit and
| willing to do the manual work OF
worhaday world. But I would
like to see an education that would
fit every man not only to do his
particular work as well as possible,
but to rise to higher plane Il he
would deserve it. For that sort OF
education l have no fears, whether
it be given to a black man or q
white man. From that sort o. eda-
cation, believe, black men, white
men. the whole nation. would
draw immeasurable benefit.
1T is probable that as nation
we have come to the end Of the
period of very rapid increase IN our
population Restricted imnisra-
ton will reduce the rate OF in
crease, and force us back upon our
older population to f1l.d people to
do the simpler, physical harder,
manual tasks. This will require
some difficult readjustments. III
anticipation of such a condition,
the south may well recognize that
north and west are likely to con-
tinue their drafts upon its colored
population and that if the souJn
wishes to keep it's fields producing
and its industry still expanding Il
will have to compete for the SER
vices Of the colored man. If it VII
realize its need for him and deal
quite fairly with him. the south
will be able to keep him in such
numbers as your activities make
desirable.
is it not possible then, that. III
the long era Of readjustment upon
which we are entering for the ra-
ticn to lay aside old prejudices and
old antagonisms and j. the broad
clear light of nationalism enter
upon a constructive policy in deal
ing with these intricate issues?
Just as we shall prove ourselves ca
pable Of doing this we shall en-
sure the Industrial progress the ag-
ricultural security, and the social
and political safety of our whole
country regardless Of race or sec
tions and along the line Of ideals
superior to every consideration Of
groups or class of race or color or
sectional prejudice"