My prayer is for a double portion of
their spirit and an increased amount of their assistance.

The recent race troubles should not discourage us or our friends. In
fact, we should be encouraged, for during these troubles the better
element of the race has been severely tried and they have stood the
test. Everywhere their advice has been for moderation, patience, and
forbearance. It is true, we are troubled on every side, yet not
distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not
forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Our records will show that we
have been faithful over a few things, may we not retain the faith and
trust of friends?

CHAPTER 14.

THE GREATEST MENACE OF THE SOUTH.

In every age there are great and pressing problems to be
solved,--problems whose solution will have seemingly, a far reaching and
lasting effect upon the economic life of the country concerned. It was
the case in this country from its very beginning and the same condition
obtains today, although each section of the country has its own peculiar
problems the true American citizen recognizes the fact that the success
of one section in solving its problems will be beneficial to the entire
nation.

Perhaps, no section of this country has been confronted with more
difficult problems than the South. I therefore, wish to present what I
consider to be the greatest menace of this section, not as a prophet
foretelling future events, but humbly expressing my views of the
situation after careful study.

If you were to ask the average white man of the South today what is the
greatest menace to this section, his answer, undoubtedly, would be, the
Negro and Negro domination. At least this would be the answer of the
politician. That he would take this view, is shown by the great amount
of legislation that has been enacted, aiming either directly or
indirectly to retard the Negro's progress. I do not believe that there
has been one piece of legislation enacted in the South within the last
thirty years for the express purpose of promoting the Negro's welfare.
This does not mean, however, that the entire white South is against the
Negro or that it means to oppose his advancement. There are thousands of
white men and women throughout the length and breadth of the South, who
are today, laboring almost incessantly for the advancement of the Negro.
To these, we owe a great debt of gratitude, and to these should be given
much credi