IN THE SHADOW
generations. How amazing!" burst out the clear, ringing voice. "How appalling! How infinitely, inexcusably stupid that they should be considered for an instant upon the same plane as the white races … should have equal things expected from them … be equally punished when they fail to accomplish these! Think of burning a negro! Why, God bless my soul, it's as bad as burning a dog!"
"But where does the fault lie? In educating them?"
"Ah, no. Education is light, and light is what we all strive for. The system, however, is absurd; cramming their heads with empty words! You see, Giles, the race possesses a retentive memory which is a deceptive quality, as it does not indicate cerebration. A negro may hold a lot of facts, but he cannot combine them for use. His brain does not possess the requisite convolutions. I remember that when I was a child of six years I was taught the Ten Commandments in French. I had not yet learned them in Dutch, my mother tongue. I was made to recite this gibberish; was looked upon as clever, intelligent; was proud of my accomplishment. It took no thought, simply memory. Such a difference!"
"But where is the fault?"
"There is no especial fault; it is unfortunate. The fault was of course in bringing them into the country as slaves. To-day the sentiment is to atone for this, except among a lot of ignorant people who try to deal summarily with delinquencies which arise, and a lot of stupid or malicious people who commend such dealings. The fault is not worth considering; it is done. Spilt milk. The question is the remedy."
"And that"
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