We Cannot Shake Him If We Would

WE CANNOT SHAKE HIM IF WE WOULD.

Every time the negro problem is brought actually to the attention of our people through lynching or otherwise some idiot rises up with a proposition to colonize them in Africa, the Philippines or in some other territory. But the way to bring about this impossible thing is not, of course, worked out. There is and can be no possible purpose in such rot. It is impossible to make interesting summer reading out of such nonsense.

The latest proposition of this kind comes from Thomas Fortune, chief negro editor of the United States and he would have his race transplanted and have them build up a nation of blacks in the Philippines.

It was possible, as has been demonstrated, to bring the negro here form his African home, but he cannot be placed back there or anywhere else he does not wish to go. He is here to stay and here he will stay and we cannot unload him on any other section the world. So many of them as desire to go to the Philippines or any other old place and have the price can do so, but no one need expect this means an exodus. The negro problem is ours to solve and we cannot shirk the work. The negro is a factor of our industrial and political life and he will continue to be. Here must be worked out the question of his future. The fact is the negro is needed here, and quite as much now as before the civil war. that great conflict disturbed his relation to the dominant race and reconstruction has failed thus far to fix his new status satisfactorily. As a result of the war he was thrust into places and positions for which he had no fitness. His head was swelled beyond all safe proportions and inevitable failure resulted. The plan of building him up is shattered, but we have the negro left. We must fine other means of making the most of him. There are meany, and they re among our best thinkers, who hope Booker t. Washington is on the right lead for the solution of this problem. But the solution is not to be expected yet. It will unquestionably be a long, laborious job, requiring infinite patience, correct example on the part of the white race as well as high precept.