before, and during those orations, you probably remember the strong stance I took against black residency in Oregon.”
There were some murmurs and nods. Faith tried not to show her feelings one way or the other.
“Tonight I want to speak to you about why my stand in this matter is so critical to our state and why it should be important to you.” He took a sip of water and continued. “As you know, when the great migration west began, people in this territory chose to implement laws that made it illegal for a black man or woman to reside here. The wagon masters of the Oregon Trail were charged with refusing passage in their trains to any people of color who intended to settle in Oregon.
“After all, we already had the Indian to deal with. Those were dark days in many ways, and we were misjudged and condemned by some Easterners for our desires and beliefs as it pertained to race. Now, lest you misunderstand me, hear me out. I am not, as some people think, one of those who believes the only solution to deal with the Indian or black is to kill them. I am quite amenable to rounding them up and assigning them land elsewhere or even removing them to nations of people of their own kind.”
Faith was amazed at the number of people who nodded in approval. How could they believe that such things were acceptable—that God approved the driving away of one race for the so-called betterment of another?
“Many of us who believe in segregated living are often condemned, but even the Bible shows how God called the Jewish people to live apart from other tribes. They weren’t to intermarry with non-Jewish people.”
Faith rolled her eyes and might have commented on how Jesus made it clear that there was no longer to be Jew or Gentile, but Berkshire was already well into his next thoughts on the matter. She couldn’t believe these people openly accepted his philosophies.
“Now, I’ve also heard the arguments against the progressive idea that the blacks, Orientals, and Indians aren’t human. But it’s clear that the various skin colors signal different bodies and functions. I’ve heard that blacks have an entirely different muscular system than that of the white man. How, then, can we be the same? It is more than skin color that separates us and more than having two legs and walking upright that might join us together as human beings.”
Several men responded with a rousing, “Hear! Hear!” Faith felt ill. How could people think this way? She had heard plenty of people who held the same opinion, but as always, when confronted by it, she was almost stupefied. She remembered some of the classes she’d attended where she’d been introduced to such thinking. At first it had been impossible to believe that anyone would accept such philosophies as truth. Then another book or speaker would share their foreign beliefs, urging the youth of the world to open their eyes to new thinking. Craving ideals that separated them from the old, tired standards of their parents, Faith had watch young students soak up the words.
Berkshire’s command of the room was growing. Faith could hear how carefully he crafted his comments, increasing his volume or lowering it for effect. She could see how easily persuaded people were to believe that the man on the podium somehow knew all the answers that they so desperately sought.
She’d had enough. When the man beside her began coughing and excused himself from the lecture, Faith followed as though she were his companion.
“Are you all right, sir?” she asked when he looked back at her.
“Just a bit of winter cold lingering.” He smiled and gave her a bow. “Thank you for your concern.”
He turned away and left her standing just outside the lecture hall. Faith shook her head. She felt contaminated, but not from the man’s cough.
“Miss Kenner.”
She looked up to find Mr. Lakewood. She was certain from things Nancy had said that he believed much the same as Berkshire, so she had no smile to offer him. Still, he was an important donor to the college. She needed to be civil.
“Mr. Lakewood.”
“Are you ill?”
She pulled her wool wrap more tightly around her shoulders. “I was feeling a bit under the weather and thought I’d return home. Thank you for asking.”
“My carriage is just outside. Might I drive you?”
She nodded without thinking. “That would be kind.” Only then did she think of what some people might