Page:Race distinctions in American Law (IA racedistinctions00stepiala).pdf/375

 *flicting opinions, the Negro problem, instead of reaching a complete or even partial solution, is only being aggravated.

There is no need of prophesying what the final solution will be, but one is justified in believing that the inevitable changes will be gradual. Whether or not the final adjustment is a segregation of the Negro race, one can hardly expect it to come in one, two, or even six decades. A century hence the white people will probably be living side by side with Negroes as they do now. The duty of the American people is to act properly toward all races in their own lifetime: the far future will take care of itself. The difficult thing to ascertain is the proper mode of acting to-day. The solution of the race problem, when it does come, will doubtless be a composite result. The race relations are not the same in different sections of the country or in different States of the South or even in different counties of the same State. Though the proper steps now to be taken in the various sections or States or counties may be different, there can, in the nature of things, be but one best mode of action for each community. That must be one for which all people, regardless of race or section, may profitably strive.

SEARCH FOR A COMMON PLATFORM

A noticeable effort has been made during the past few years by students of race relations to construct a platform upon which all men of every race may stand and work together for the permanent settlement of all racial antagonisms. This is evidenced by the organization of late years of national movements which have enlisted the sup