The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-04-20
THE LECTURE.

oh Olonoay evening, OH 1ne Ufeat Ma
tional Opportunity" The audience, as
on the previous occasion, was large, re-
spectacle and appreciative. The lecturer
briefly reviewed the condition of the
country and the condition of our race
previous to the war, passed over some of
the mighty changes produced by the war
and evolved as consequences of it. Then
she dwelt at length on the opportunities
afforded our race for Improvement, diffu-
sion of knowledge, elevation and pro-
gress; contending that, in view of the Bit
ter and relentless hostility of the enemies
of our race and of human progress, the
colored race was bound and should be
influenced by community of interest;
that their conduct should be marked by.
generosity, justice and iberality; that
education, (which has not yet been suffi-
GENTLY appreciated by the race the for
nation of character; the cultivation of
self-reliance, self-respect, determination
ST purpose, fortitude and temperance
should be the grand aims of the parents
and guardians of our youth.
In this direction, the lecturer favored
compulsory education for all, that the
commonwealth might posses intelligent
citizens, and that intelligent citizens
might exercise their franchises and
rights. That the favorable oppor-
tuuities for establishing home life; for
the cultivation and encouragement
of virtue, and the repression of vice;
for the elevation of waman, and to lay a
ban on sin and immortality, sho1ld be
eagerly and perseveringly embraced Not
wealth, not position, not color, not fame,
said the lecturer, but ON the foundation
Of peace, justice, integrity, education and
virtue, must We build and elevate our
selves and our race to higher and bet
ter life.
The peroration of the discourse was
devoted to a spirited defence of women's
rights. We were struck dumb with con-
sternation, not either at the doctrines
defended, nor the extravagant "rights"
demanded, but at the denial this avowal
gave to the repeated reservations of one
of our friends that Mrs. H. was not of
''this sort"
AS literary effort, as the earnest
breathings of an anxious heart SOLICITORS
for the welfare and advancement of her
race, we freely accord Mrs. Harper the
full credit due her but we cannot avoid
referring to point which has invariably
characterized the conduct of lecturers to
our people. Every statement that is
made, every advice rendered, every vice
censured, seems uttered under reser-
walton that up to the moment of speak
ing there has been nothing done towards
elevation, or education, or progress by
the recently freed population of the
South. Every remark seems to be made
on the presumption that the listeners be-
long to most willingly benighted class.
We know that this course has been a
source of much uneasiness and dissatis-
faction to many of our good folks, and
we therefore throw t,t the hint, de-
string it to be accepted in the spirit in
which it is rendered. A great deal has
been done, and vast amount is being
accomplished, through the direct and
strenuous efforts of our people them
selves. Wherever Institutions of learn
ing have been established they have ex-
tensively availed themselves of the adj
vantages afforded. Wherever fields of
labor have promised adequate remunera-
ton to them, they have transported Their
skilled and unskilled craftsmanship.
Wherever philanthropy threw open n
door which offered to ameliorate the
condition of our people, there have our
people, men and women hied, to embrace
the opportunities of doing and receiving
good.
These things do not seem to be
generally known and hence we hear no
word of praise, no need of commenda-
ton for what has been accomplished, and
for what is in the course of being done.
And it certainly hampers ardor, it
checks endeavor, and tends to discourage
effort, to observe the consistent express
sions of censure, the advice to rise to O