712

W. W.--2

Surely it is not to be contemplated that the ten millions
of people of my race within the borders of the United States
are to remain in a permanent state, not only of general ignorance
but of industrial efficiency as well; and if this
is not to be the case, then surely some definite provision
should be made in the compromise which may hereafter be effected
between the Page and Lever Bills, to insure that the
colored people of the United States will receive some proportion
of the funds which may be set apart by the compromise
measure, to the end that the colored people of the United
States may attain to some degree of industrial efficiency.
I do not mean that the colored people should share in the
funds to be appropriated by the said compromise in accordance
with their ratio of population, because I realize that the
real importance of a people is by no means based on the numerical
ratio of population. And I realize further that
to give the colored people a proportion of the funds to be
set apart by the measures referred to in proportion to their
population would be a gross injustice to the white people of
the States having any considerable negro population. I realize
that the white people should receive the greater amount
of the funds to be appropriated; but I do think that it
should be made certain and fixed by law that the colored people
should receive some definite and fixed proportion or ratio
however small.

Trusting Sir, that you will give this matter such
consideration as you may deem it worthy, I beg to remain,
with high regard,

Yours very respectfully,
E.L. Blackshear

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