In the Northwest, in all probability, they are in the next decade apt to gather in such numbers, as to affect both the South and Canada, although in exactly opposite ways. To a considerable extent what The New Republic foresaw in 1916 is coming to pass; but in somewhat quicker movement than that paper anticipated. The last great effort to induce them to remain in the South their “natural home” has been made. It has utterly failed. They are steadily moving out and diffusion is proceeding without any of the ills so continuously alleged as inseparable with such a movement.
And now to this last effort, the comments upon it and what may be called the first Negro Crusade, we should pay some attention, and then close with an allusion to the most helpful discussion ever instituted concerning the Negro.
FOOTNOTES:
[364] Kerlin, The Voice of the Negro, p. 21.
[365] Ibid. p. 20.
[366] The Crisis, December 1923, p. 59.
[367] Graham, Children of the Slaves, Preface.
[368] U. S. Census Pop. by Color, 1920.
CHAPTER XVI
At Birmingham, Alabama, President Harding spoke on the Negro question, October 25, 1921. Elected president by the greatest majority which had ever placed a president in power, his remarks, if not very profoundly wise, were unquestionably bravely frank. His position was that unless there should “be recognition of the absolute divergence in things social and racial,” there might be “occasion for great and permanent differentiation.” To quote him in such passages as most clearly and unequivocally expressed his views, he will be found to have said: