New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-02

ourselves Up by pulling others down. o.
to think we are strongest and most uccsss III
when we have yanquished our competitor.
{ by unjust measures. We will surely fail
/ True worth will be appreciated sooner OIL
/ later, and we can't force this appreciation,
No man need fear but what his honest. IL.
dustrious effort TO do and be something noble
will receive the full and timely approval Of
/ his fellow men. Are the jealousies exhibited
/ here in almost all departments of useful labor
very great Inducements for others of your
race, with learning and ability, to make this
( city their home and the scene Of their future
| labors? Do you reach forth your hands and
| ask Others to pour forth their treasures Of
wealth and talent to make this city the great.
est seat of learning and political power for
you (as well as others) in the American
| Union? Here YOU have a grea. university
OF learning. Hither have gathered LAWYERS,
professors, ministers, journalists, educators,
doctors-men and women largely represent
ing the culture and refinement OF your people
in this country. The opportunity is grand.
The influence which should aud does 90 out
from this center to your less-favored brethren
OF the Union is not to be measured. The
stronger this union of talent the greater
agencies and possibilities lie within your
grasp. This circle already adds LARGELY to
the wealth. learning. and material prosperity
Of the national capital. The stronger this
union Of talent the greater agencies and pos
sbilites lie within your grasp. This circle
already adds largely to the wealth. learning.
and material prosperity of the national CAPT
tai. You help to adorn and beautify it and
educate and elevate all classes b. your pres
ence. You constitute an element of strength
and greatness, which can but be for our adj
vancelnent if only properly directed and your
not only two or three great col0red men, but
her fields of useful labor even among YOUR
own people invite and demand the capabili-
ties and energies of one thousand great men.
Instead of being detrincnt to the aspra-
tons OF any man the atmOsI here thus ere tied
by so many keen, active minds coming in
contact with each other would lift an inspir-
ing man up against all opposition. Let a
spirit of justice possess those who mould
public sentiment here, and the field would DC
more inviting.
Give honesty and generously every man
credit for his actual worth. Ii 4 man has
talent, if he is industrious and persevering,
says so. A just compliment costs us but little.
and will be the opening wedge to the success
OF many man; and especiallyis this essen
tial in our actions toward the young. | love
to take them by the hand and give them
lift as they step upon the platform of human
activities. Their friendly grasps and warm,
generous hearts, which touch my inmost soul
with sympathy and earnest solicitule, causes
me to give them God speed" Those
whose heads are gray with honorable labor,
and whose brows are crowned with the
wreaths of noble achievements, should make
it duty to encourage the young, and help
to place them upon a basis Of moral integ-
rty, equality, and right, upon which alone
can be built up an honorable and enduring
record. Then will you not concentrate your
efforts, give all fair opportunity to rise to
those attachments which render life happy
and existence among us desirable, and cult
vate more and more a broad, generous Chris
tianity, the beauty Of which shall not be
marred by the traces Of jealousy and selfish
ambition? An experience of nearly thirty
years having given me unb0undcd hope in
the ultimate proud distinction Of the coloGcd
race, permit me to contribute these honest
suggestions as FEIENr.