Musings of the South 151 



better class feel a paternal responsibility for the 

 subject race, and honestly desire their best inter- 

 ests. But they are making a serious mistake in 

 disfranchising them indiscriminately, and in not 

 rigorously punishing outrages upon them. There 

 is no mistaking the fact that the negroes are devel- 

 oping examples of first-rate patriotism and states- 

 manship. Booker Washington does not stand alone. 

 Smith, of Texas, is a man of exceptional political 

 sagacity, and of organizing and executive ability. 

 In the end I do not think the present loss of the 

 ballot will do the negroes permanent harm. It is 

 driving them into the only real road to success, that 

 of bettering their own condition, both moral and 

 material. 



Mr. Morris spoke to me of the claim that it is 

 the white blood in the negro that elevates him, and 

 said it was not true ; that he could match a pure 

 black against any mulatto for equal ability. A few 

 weeks ago I wrote an editorial giving the pessi- 

 mistic views of some negro physicians in regard to 

 the destructive effects of miscegenation upon the 

 black population. I am assured here that this only 

 relates to the cities, that the negro blood in the 

 country is clean and sound. 



