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 "What do you mean, the best of them? I thought you people held them all to be the same."

"No, there are some who own property, are educated and substantial. But we can't allow them to put on any airs, else they'd think they were white folks and get fresh."

"Then it's not so much their inferiority as it is a matter of self-preservation," suggested Dr. Tansey.

"I'd not say that," suggested another of the group. "A black man is a black man and can't be compared with a white man no matter how much money he accumulates, or how educated."

Dr. Tansey shrugged his shoulders. "I can't understand you people and your arguments," he said.

"You don't believe a Negro is the equal of a white man, do you?" he was asked.

"Since you ask me, I'll tell you. I believe in the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence. To my mind there are only two kinds of men in this counrty. In fact, in the world—good men and bad men. Color neither makes goodness nor badness. The mere color white, per se, is not a badge of superiority, purity or goodness.

"As to whether one man is or is not the equal of another, that wholly depends on mental ability, character and the quality of man he is. A man may be white and be the most desperate and vile being in the world. He may be black, yellow or red and be the same. All depends on his environment and circumstances of existence. I think the World War fully demonstrated that."