New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-12-25
What Sls all We SO sor Ourselves!

Our racc-struggie, since emancipation, has
been for q full recognition OF on: humanity
and Of cur title TO the fullest enjoyment o.
the civil, political, and public rights accorded
to American citizens. We are nearing the
accomplishment and realization Of our hopes.
Congress wifi un ,oubtedly give US the cgs-
lation necessary To complete the struggle SO
far a. legislation can DO it, the rest is with
ourselves. 1t vii! bc for the colOred people,
after the needed legislation securing TO them
protection in the pursuit Of happiness has
been made, TO 40 for themselves to use 4
common phrase-and be ready ana willing
to make The great struggle OF Their history in
this country. With the obstacles to the pur-
suit of knowledge removed, there can be no
defense of our ignorance on the ground OF
schools being denied us. In the ten years
to come if we do no. present tcntOld more
learning, capacity, and enterprise thin we
now do, we can blame none but ourselves.
Prejudice against us will not become so
largely Obliterated as TO admit us generally
into the workshops Of the land, so that we
may become skilled artisans in the coming
ten years but much improvement, We have
no doubt, will be made in that direction, and
We can pave the way for larger and more
important advancement as prejudice yields
to common sonse.
The great mass Of cur people are agricul-
tural laborers, and possess larger knowl-
edge of that pursuit than Of any other.
They have laboreI in it for the benefit Of
othelp, and through their labor and endurance
the wealth and prosperity Of half the county
have been established. To continue a rur
suit that is g. profitable would seem 20
be but the dictates Of sound sense. The one
thing in addition 10 the knowledge and
ability the negro already possesses in agri-
culture, is the education that will teach him
industry, frugality, and desire for !ndepcnd-
ent manhood. 1t cannot be denied that our
agricultural communities give evidence of
culture, integrity, refinement, and enterprise
equal to communities IN which other pursuits
engage the major attention Q: the people.
l. is clear that advancement and its result
Az enlarged respect Of surrounding people
can be attained through the medium OF agri-
cultuI !. progress, that wealth and influence
are as readily reached by people who start
life with little or no money capital in the
occupation Of the tiiler Of the soil as in any
other pursuit whatever
Our organizations and our conventions
heretofore have been made and held for the
purpose of influencing others to do something
for US which we felt it to be their duty 10 do,
and of which we stood in great need. This
was right. The time has come, or it is so
near at hand when il behoovcs us as n race
to organize for the purpose Of excrting an
influence upon ourselves, and 10 proceed TO
the solution CT the question as 10 our course
for our own elevation, which we must make
for ourselves, in order TO command and main
tain the respect Of civilization and enlight-
eminent. We need no more national con-
ventons we need n united purpose to adj
vance, to make the most Of the abilities we
already possess, and TO turn them to the best
USE When a black man is recognized by
law as entitled to all the rights. privileges
and immunitics OF Il citizen Of The United
States, there remains no longer necessity
for him to find q home where his race is
strong in numbers, the law can protect him
anywhere in the country; cien there will be
no longer need for the landless negroes of
the South to remain Us mere labOrers for
wages only sufficient t. maintain them
little above beg gary they can, assured of
the same protection enjoyed by other citi-
Gems, move upon the public lands and utilize
their knowledge Of agriculture, build up for
their families and for their race a reputation
of fsr more value than is likely TO be attained
for many years To come in the field Of poll
tics.
1t is high time for our people TO give the
question Of their future serious consideration.
Wealth awaits the agricul.urist, the miner,
the builder, and the artisan OF every kind on
the public soil Of Arkansas soil in eli |
uste to which the negro is not unused. The |
government OF the State Invites immigration, /
the land coninissioner-a colorcd gentleman (
ofability and integrity-informs US that the /
soil IL rich and can be worked the first year
Of settlement al profit. Arkansas presents
to-day strong Inducements TO our young col
ored men who are engaged in agriculture.
The public lands of the Great West and
Southwest rre as open TO the settlement OF