THE RACE PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES. 317 



kum, Little Skookum, and Adams few if any of the side gulches 

 of the Bonanza are known to be really rich in gold, and for the mo- 

 ment, at least, they can hardly be looked upon as having furnished 

 the main supply to the main stream. 



THE RACE PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES. 



BY BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, 



PRINCIPAL OF THE TUSKEGEK NORMAL INSTITUTE. 



I HAVE been asked a number of times during the last few months 

 the cause of and the cure for the riots that have taken place re- 

 cently in North Carolina and South Carolina. I am not at all sure 

 that what I shall say will answer these questions in a satisfactory 

 way, nor shall I attempt to narrow my expressions to a mere recital 

 of what has taken place in these two States. I prefer to discuss the 

 problem in a broader manner. 



In the first place, in politics I am a Republican, but have always 

 refrained from activity in party measures, and expect to pursue this 

 policy in the future ; so in this article I shall refrain, as I always have 

 done, from entering upon any discussion of mere party politics, in 

 the narrow and usual sense. What I shall say of politics will bear 

 upon the race problem and the civilization of the South in the larger 

 sense. In no case would I permit my political relations to stand in. 

 the way of my speaking and acting in the manner that I believe is 

 going to be for the permanent interest of my race and the whole 

 South, regardless of mere party name and organization. 



In 1873 the negro in the South had reached the point of great- 

 est activity and influence in public life, so far as the mere holding 

 of elective office was concerned. From this date those who have 

 kept up with the history of the South have noticed that the negro has 

 steadily lost in the number of elective offices held. In saVing this 

 I do not mean that the negro has gone backward in the real and more 

 fundamental things of life. On the contrary, he has gone forward 

 faster than has been true of any other race in history, under any- 

 thing like similar circumstances. 



If we can answer the question as to why the negro has lost 

 ground in the matter of holding elective office in the South, per- 

 haps we shall find that our reply will prove to be our answer also as 

 to the cause of the recent riots in North Carolina and South Caro- 

 lina. Before beginning a discussion of the question I have asked, I 

 wish to say that this change in the political influence of the negro 

 has continued from year to year, notwithstanding the fact that 



