The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-01-13


that has plagued our country for
almost a century. II has always
been the opinion of the South. But,
strangely. it continues 10 this day
not TO be the opinion OF the North.
One or the other must be right.
Which one is wrong? And when
say wrong" | do not mean so
much in a wilful as in a misguided
sense. Can the Negro and the white
man live on terms of social and
political equality or without at all
considering the delicate and irritat-
ing question OF superiority and in
feriority. are these genuine racial
differences that make segregation
both a natural and salutary thing
for both races?
This latter is the belief of the
South; and though she has been
badgered on this issue for nearly
hundred years, the South may be
right believe she is. Nor does my
belief detract in the least from my
honest admiration OF the Negroes
many good qualities. I love him as
he is; and l resent all attempts.
however altruistic, to make him
what nature never intended him to
be.
1t may seem strange, but the
position of Lincoln was essentially
the same as that of Alexander
Stephens. vice president OF the Con-
federacy. who said: Equality does
not and cannot exist between
blacks and whites. The one race is.
in many respects. inferior. physi-
cally and mentally. to the other
race. This should be received as a
fixed invincibe fact in all dealings
with the subject"
am not sure that I share Lin
coins opinion and Stephens re-
garding the importance OF physical
difference: and | do not at all agree
with Stephens that the undoubted
physical difference amounts to in
feriority. All things physical seem
10 me TO rate lower than mental
and psychological difference
We hear il reiterated that the
Negro. as a race, has made amaz-
ing progress in our country; have
even heard it asserted that nothing
else in the whole history Of the
world is comparable TO it. In many
Individual cases. indeed, especially
where the admixture of ,, white
blood has produced new race, a
brown one, the rise has been rapid
and admirable. But, thinking in
terms Of the black millions, Ne
groes seem to me to remain what
they were. | am not surprised at
this, nor disappointed. That they
have not greatly progressed in our
sense OF the term does not mean
that they do not merit our admifa-
ton. and often our gratitude and
affection.
II Is nowhere apparent that the
Negro, rs a race, has been espe-
cially helped by the laws passed
presumably in his behalf. including
the law that gives him the right to
vote: nor by the various northern
founda tons which have spent vast
sums attempting. often by mere
sociological essays and tracts. to
make the Negro white man with
q black skin: nor even by the So
ciety for the Advancement Of Col
ored People land, by the way, i
think Negroes . far better and
more honorable name than Colored
People; one reason being that there
are a lot of other colored races that
are not Negroes. l do not say that
the motives for these endeavors
have been wrong; but the efect has
been negligible. and In many cases.
downright deplorable.
NEGROES NOT GIFTED
POLITICALLY
\ Sidehght on situation often
helps US 10 see il more clearly.
About fifty years before The slaves
IN America were freed. the Ne
groes ia Haiti. knowing that Ma
poleons power vas waning, and
that the French were heavily en-
gagged in Europe, freed themselves
by fearful instruction. an up
rising in which thousands Of French
were massacred. and other thou
sands driven itao exile. Many Of
illG WIN ltlAldAllIN VII VIZ
island inter married with the for
mer slaves; and il is this mixed
race which governs Haiti TODAY
The true blacks Of Haiti remain
about as they were. in character
and attainment. 1870 years ago
A contemplation Of this picture
would lead the impartial observer
10 conclude that the Negro Is not
gifted politically: and what has
happened to him in the United
States since Emancipation would
strengthen that belief. So
During Reconstruction days the
legislature OF South Carolina. my
own state. was in the hands Of
Negroes. a characteristic measure
passed by them was 20 the effect
that the state should provide, solid
cold spi,toons for the convenience
Of tho august members OF both the
House and the Senate
Another sidelight is shed by the
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