New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-30

which this great change has been accom-.
plished, BY political action, revolution, that
our thoughts, and, consequently, our sspira.
tons, should tend that way. But while we
are making such rapid strides in the political
arena, may it not be we'll for us to pause and
consider that there are other avenues for Us
to pursue, and other works which, though,
possibly, not superior to politics, may and
Will serve as valuable adjunctive aids in the
accomplishment Of our desire and what I
believe to be our destiny, i. G., to be the
equals in every respect Of every other people
But, say you, do you question that our people
are the equals Of others in our country.
have often enough quoted those immortal
lines in the Declaration Of American Inde-
pcndence, that all men are created equal, :"
&c, to insure me against doubt as to my
opinion on that question, and may add that
the party who disbelieved that portion of the
Declaration are too nearly defunct and GER
taiuly too small in numbers for me to attempt
t"preach that kind Of gospel now. They, are
dead and happy am to say, will never
again afford the slightest obstacle or barrier
to our advancement. But on the other hand
and looking at the question through an
entirely different lens, think there will be
many to agree with me when l say we are
not the equals Of other races ia this country
in scientific and educational pursuits. Now
don't ask me do think We ought to be con-
sIH hon ill
you at once do not. 1t would be prepos-
ferrous to expect a people with chains upon
their wrists and yokes upon their necks, with
every avenue Of education closed to them for
above two hundred years, to be the equals
of those who have had during the same period
and long prior all the various avenues open
and with no bar to their advancement. But
while such is the fact, believe you will agree
with me when l say it would at least be
commendable in us, since We have shown
such aptness in grasping political honors, to
show some tendency toward the scientific,
and those other pursuits, the successful
grasping Of which can alone bring to US last
ing honors, aud prove US the equals Of our
fellows. We must produce a Franklin, a
Morse, Tyndall, Huxley, an Agassiz, or
some one or more persons eminent in learn
ing, to command lasting respect and honor
as class. What matters it though We pro-
duce good legislator, a Governor, Or even
President of these United States. To be
sure he may be remarkably sagacous, and
have all the accomplishments usual to those
who obtain such preferment, but what mat
tiers 1t. ask what proof Of our intellectual
capacity. Certainly, good and wise Cover
nors have been in all ages since Governments
we're instituted. Some of the best lived be-
Some men have a natural ability, are born
Governors. Men have made wise laws and
have executed them with honor, who never
knew how to read or write, and for that
matter we need not go beyond our own coun-
try and to-day for proof Of this assertion.
But since the invention of letters. figures,
types, instruments, &C., &C., the term "a
great people" has undergone change, and
has very different significance. Ability to
govern and valor IN war are but secondary
accomplishments, and are the mere aduncts
to other and higher aims.
A great people to-day must have among
its citizens learned men, those well versedin
the arts and sciences, inventors, &c., those
who help to simplify life and make it bless
ing, those whose emulation is noble, in whose
tournaments and competitions no bones are
broken, no lives lost, and one in which Cf
may be allowed the BULLY every loser is
gamer, and is lifted higher even when his
opponent succeeds.
Now, srs, all this and my point is still un-
covered. Undoubtedly, you have long since
asked yourselves the question, what in the
world is he driving at. 1t may be bad judg-
ment to allow the argument to precede the
subject, but have done so unwittingly, and
beg pardon if in so doing have made mis-
take.
The thing have not seen referred to in
the letters of your various correspondents,
and which desire to impress upon the think
ing portion of our people, is the Centennial
Exhibition. Many others are already max
ing preparation for that event. and the ques-
ton is will the four and a half millions Of
cOlored people allow that exhibition to come
and 60 without at least proportionable
representation. Shall we not at least show
what We shall have accomplished during thir-
teen years Of freedom and eighty-seven of
the hundred in chains?
Will not our foremost men act in concert
in arousing our people to full sense Of the
importance of this work? Thete must be a
general awakening among us as to our real
need. sincerely trust that there will be a
better report coming from other parts of the
country than am able to give from this city
and vicinity. OF the fres libraries, institutes
of learning, art exhibitions, and various
places of instruction, except day schools,
how many Of our people are taking advantage
of them. should hate to answer that ques-
ton for New York. l shall state just one
fact, as it may serve to show our public men
the need Of vigorous exertion in order to
turn the present drift of the people. The
exhibition of the American Institute in this
city is open during eight or nine months in
each year. At the exhibitions of 1871 and
1872 was present almost every night, hav-
ing an article On exhibition. During that
| t;p,e I counted in the EIGHT md a half ,raaks