Dewey’s Work.
“But a new problem, by the fortune of war, now confronts the American people. A new volume was unexpectedly opened on that Sunday morning when Dewey passed the gates at Cavite, and its pages have become the more perplexing as the glory of that day fades in the distance. The negro welcomed the day when the American people gave evidence of the fact that they recognized that the negro problem had been solved, and other subjects occupied their minds. When free trade vs. protection, honest money vs. free silver, became the chief topics of discussion, it was an assurance to the negro of the end of a long drawn out discussion, which had served to keep him upon the surface of a troubled sea. The hour has come when he may sit somewhat complacently in his own secure place in the nation and discuss the desirability of admitting other races to the full enjoyment of American citizenship, and it is to be hoped that his own experience will tend to clarify the atmosphere surrounding him and enable him to deal justly by and be merciful to others, situated in many respects in a position which was once his own.
“The question now before us is how best to serve the nation’s interests in the disposition of or employment of the negro? I believe I can best illustrate the question by instituting a comparison between the negro and the races of men that the fortune of war has placed under our care.