Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/683

Rh In thinking of the work that is before them, many of these women "rejoice as a strong man to run a race." They are glad that they "belong to a people that have so much to do for themselves." And they realize that a grave responsibility rests upon them as pioneers in a great movement. They obtain admittance to the society of white people all the more because they are working with and for their own race. But whether they gain the recognition of the whites or not, they know that their duty lies in doing what they can for their own people. That is the most hopeful feature of the negro problem. They have leaders, and they are willing to lead.

The subject of race-hatred was taken up in the convention. I think as much temperance, judgment, and moderation were shown as would have been shown by any body of women so large under similar circumstances. It is all very easy when one has nothing at stake to stand off and say: "There is much to be said on both sides." It is more difficult to be broad-minded and fair when one happens to be identified with one of the parties, and that the one that is being worsted. Therefore it could hardly have been expected that there should not have been some excited, exaggerated language; but I am sure that there was no more of this than there would have been in so large a gathering of white women with anything like the provocation. Indeed, considering all things, these women were remarkable for their self-control.

They have been much criticised because in a petition to the president, that an indemnity be granted to the family of the murdered Postmaster Baker in South Carolina, a further petition was inserted that those states in which lynching could not be stopped be expelled from the union. Someone remarked to me that that was "niggerish." I am afraid it was not so much "niggerish" as "womanish." Or, rather, it is the first impulse of almost any person whose mental horizon has not been almost miraculously broadened, either by circumstances or by native excellence, to try to right a great wrong by committing a still greater one. And at present, owing largely to the conditions of life, breadth of view is rarer among women than among men.