Vicksburg weekly herald., 1878-05-10
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Mr.. Editor: ! have for no short
time been viewing the condition Of the
ColOFed race, and ind that their pro.
greSS has not been very great. must
say they attribute their present cOndi.
ti0n to many things, the most Of which
are false. / will endeavor to occupy
short space In Jour paper, In dwelling
upon that which claim 10 be the only
true reason Of their present state. They
have claimed that oppFessl0n was the
main reason that liberty has not been
extended to them; that prejudice has
caused their children 10 be aS ignorant
as they are. But, cir, while some of
these things may be true, they forget
one great fact, and that IL when oppor.
tunily 10 given to them they fail to
take advantage Of the privileges, aud
then charge the result 10 the things
above mentioned. II 10 true, Mr.. Ed.
tor, they have been oppressed, and
that greatly, but, cir, amidst all this,
they have had for . number Of years
that oppression removed. sec that
free schools have been, aud are until
this present time, extended TO them.
And why do they charge their
present state to ignorAnCe2 For al
this time they fail TO educate them
selves, and lie silent and ignorant while
hoping to rise above that abhorred cen.
dlllOn. It hes been said that It 10 the
intention OF the whites 10 keep them
confined, and make them their subjects,
but, Sir, oil Of this has proven 10 be
false. And 10 you, colored friends, It
seems to me that whites intend giving
you that which you most need and
that is, an education. l find schools
are increased, appropriations have
been made for your elevation. | find
schools In your State cheaper than they
have ever been before. And II is with
you 10 say whether you will put your.
selves on an equal footing with other
great races. do not wish to have the
idea conveyed by my remarks, that
there are no intelligent colOred people,
but l do cay, they are few when com.
pared with the ignorant ones. The
main fault with us, 90 race iS, we look
forward with the purpose Of doing our
own race damage. And where there
iS one In our midst, bidding fair 10
make q man Of himself, be is envied by
bis own race. And until this is gotten
rid OF, we must never expect TO be hon.
ored, wealthy, nor gain anything
worthy of note. Shall | charge this 10
their want ofcapAciiy or TO their igno.
rance? Most sssuredly, | cannot charge
It 10 the former but to the latter. Again
We do not continue going TO school IN.
Ill We acquire enough learning to throw
reflection Of light upon those all
around us. COlOred youIhP, the entire
battle depends upon you, and do be.
lieve II is the will Of ell right-minded
white people (were you 10 become In.
telligeni) 10 allow you the same priv
ileges they allow themselves. BY be-
coming intelligent, you could easily
understand how 10 fight your own bat
ties. And always remember, "wheFe
there is unity there is strength" Do
we not need men to fill The various p0.
sitlons In life? And when / cay men,
you must understand what mean.
The positions are too numerous for me
10 enumerate. Is It possible that We
shall see this golden time pass, and not
record any great deeds done by ne 2
COlOred youths, how "my heart doth
trembe while my tongue relates" 10
see that you are content TO remain In
your present condition. Has the day
not come when you have said l wish
that could do myself, my race, and my
country goodI fear It has oiled that
warm heart Of yours with the emo.
ton. And II so, what are you
waiting for? | know you wish
to gain strength and DO q powerful
race, but there is only one way to do II,
and that is, Trough intelligence. You
may think you can attain the above
by laboring while ignorant, and lay
up wealth, and then claim yourselves
to be strong, but never will that be.
The day for wealth to rule knowledge
has not dawned yet, and never will
come. How shall your race be direct.
ed 10 few years from now? Through
ignorance or through knowledge
believe each aud every youth who has
given thought TO either, has decided
upon the latter. How can 1t be, If we
allow ourselves TO remain where we
are, when we are looked 10 by our
aged parents to fill such vacancies.
How can we expect 10 gain respect
from others, since, as has been said,
respect begins at home" aud in order
10 gain respect, We must Grst demand
II, aud how can this be done without
making ourselves worthy Of it3 Todo
this is TO vie with our superiors, 10 be
more benevolent aud less e1vious
10 our own race. In conclusion
allow me TO say, my earnest
desire is for your prosperity, aud !
hope you will view the question
on bO.h sides, and decide whether 1t Il
more profitable 10 be ruled through ig'
norAnce, or through knowledge, Il
you have decided for knowledge, put
your decision into execution, but IL fol
ignorance, advise you 10 consider
your prospects now aud forever
ruined, miserable, and degenerate
Knowledge must, shall, and will rule
Yours very respectfully,
W. h. REYNOLDS,
A Student of Alcorn University.
We have heard Of white black bird