Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1878-07-16

RGUSIdi Improvement III CaCu anu
every State in the Union. The dues-
tion may be asked, why should we
value education so highly? We an
swer because it teaches US to live re-
ligiously. think comprehensiveiy, and
to be governed by mathematical rea-
soning. 1t is education that man
needs in order to be truly well-train>
ed. Education will enable us to
overcome every difficulty, and sur~
mount every obstacle that lies in our
pathway to prosperity. Every per-
son is here not merely to enjoy him
self, but to work for himself, his
neighbors, and for pOsterity, ; and in>
stituuons OF learning are only valua-
BILE in their teachings. as they assist
in working for themselves aud for the
general good of humanity. In my
vocation | have tried TO do something
that may permanently contribute tc
the improvement and elevation Of my
race Had it not been that | felt and
still feel an interest i'll my race, [
should have not penned these lines
for the fear of seeming otherwise
My strong conviction is tha. my col
cred fellow citizens should calmly
consider their present situation in
the South, without homes, without
money, and, above all without moral
and mental culture. Let US. frsJ of
all, obey God, then obey the laws of
our country, and, then let US cul.i-
vate cur mental and moral powers to
the utmost, seek each for himself,
and defuse among others knowledge
of mechanical, commercial, agricul>
tural, scientific and literary pursuits.
Let US see that mental capacity, en-
ergy, and early tastes are trained for
their proper career-just as judiciOus
white men, consult for the talents
and predictions for their children
My friends, if man, whether he be
white or black behaves himself re-
specially, he will be respected BY
white aud black, young and old
We are not cOntendiug for the equals
ty of race, but for the equality of
laws, opportunities and advantages;
for when these are had then the abil,
ities will be but a matter Of time. -
So if we would be respected we must
improve our minds, our character,
and learn to respect ourselves, then
we will be respected by others
Real greatness everywhere is mostly
proportional to. and measured by the
d flicul,ies overcome; and if so, we
have chance to win the true aim to
be attained by education. We aer
abused for our degradation. Well,
by whom were We brought into deg
radiation? We are considered to be
4 little above the wild animals that
roam in the forest simply because
We wear The complexion given us by
our God As have already said We
ask not fot social equality, but we
do ask for equal justice to be done.
One may ask what do you mean sir?
| answer by saying that We are sub
jects of the United States, and we
are partly recognized as citizens, but
not in the full sense of the word =
we we're called upon to take an oath
to support the United States, : we are
called upon to contribute to the
wealth of the Government; and we
would be called upon to take up our
muskets and fight for her. was she
engaged in war with other nations, =
but We are not called upon to occupy
any of the prominent positions III
the gifts Of the Government We
were born in the South. we were
brought up here. and we are
inclined to think that Our interests
are here We have been bewildered
and misled by carpet baggers long
enough, who pretended 20 be our
friends. bnt we have not long since
learned that they did this only to
secure the two millions colorcd votes.
Now this feeling has gone all over
the country like one electric shock,
and we have decided to sit upon the
fence until we see farther, aud if the
white people of the South will assure
MS that they are willing to give us
Justice, the dove of hope shall plume
her wings once more and fly with
swift speed and take shelter under
the banner of the South, carrying her
two million votes with her. We know
that we are in the minority and we
know that the Two million color
ed votes have something to do with |
the majority. We know that
some cOlored people are retrogradiug, !
and we believe that ignorance is the |
cause of it. We need education in |
order to prevent it. [ do not pros
pose to make myself busy-body in
other mems matters. but [ do think |
that by special interests consists in
looking forward to the general good |
of my race. So I close by saying if |
these lines reach ready ears, and SYM
hearts when they are pre-
sented before Gods praying people,
how much more shall they reach |
listening ears, and pitying hearts
when they are presented before the |
throne of Grace above.
Very Respectfully. yours.
S. A. r