The banner-enterprise., 1883-05-31


consequences of our individual acts.
The world looks on in questioning
wonder, and awaits the result of the
great experiment of our freedom.
Under God the answer is in our own
hands. Springing into n,tional life
as if by magic, with the ignorance
and superstitions of the unuumbered
years behind US, with skeptics watch
ing our efforts to rise in the scale of
humanity, let us strive, with hope
and prayer, to deserve the blessings
God has sent upon us.
As shipwl ecked mariners, cast upon
an inhospitable shore, let us strive to
erect local habitation and a name.
Let each one be assigned particular
cale and responsibility, and let each
see that these duties be faithfully
performed. Some must work, some
must teach, others perform the hoier
duties of the sanctuary. Let each
one bring clean hands and a pure
heart to the discharge of his labor,
and his reward will surely be given.
Whatever we are called to do let it
be done faithfully, honestly, looking
only for the reward which comes from
the consciousness of duty performed.
Among our race, so lately redeemed
from bondage, it is not to be ex-
pected that great men will at once
arise. True greatness is the result
of long continued effort, but each Of
us, in his individual capacity, can be
good what we do, we can do ,Uel,
and that should be our effort and our
aim. Well has it been said that
Honor and shame from no condition
rise,
Act 'cell your part, there all the honor
lies"
Again, beg each Of you choose
to-day, if you have not already de-
cited, what part you will take IN the
advancement and regeneration Of our
race. God has committed to us the
guidance of the children who now
bless our sunny Southern homes.
Shall we so live that these children
shall rise up and call us blessed !?
Shall our efforts to improve, con-
vince the outside world that we de-
seroe freedom, or, shall it be said OF
us that we are not worthy to be num-
bored among the nations: These are
questions pressing for answer. They
mast be answered by the inexorable
logic of events.
Whether we stand still, or whether
we press forward in our efforts for
good, history will record the result
We cannot read the future, but to us
is now given opportunity to shape its
record of our race.
Let our motto be, "each one to his
post and fighting manfully the
great battle Of progress aud of hu-
man right, strive to deserve well of
our country and our kind.
Our responsibility is fearful; oui
reward, if successful, will be great
If recreant to our trust, our punish
ment, the unmeasured scorn of al
posterity. And here | will say, that
one of the first, the greatest, the most
absolutely imperative duties now In
cumbent upon us, is the moral eleva =
ton OF our race Education, with
out moral foundation, is as house
built upon sand. The superstructurc
rests not upon solid basis, and mere
learning cannot convert soul. Per
haps mere training IN book lore, with
out groundwork of morality or re
ligion, has done more harm through
out the ages than all the Ignorance
that has undoubtedly cursed the
world Some of its greatest scoun-
drels in all ages have been its fore
most scholars. Men, without prin>
eiple, are often prompted to higher
flights and deeper depths in villainy
by familiarity with recorder crimes.
The greatest scholar Of all time,
Lord Bacon, has been called "thc
"wisest and the worst of men '
What our lace needs is thorough
training in morals, to be taught self
respect, honor and ambition to excel
honorsbly. Raise the standard Of
morality among us, inculcate pure re-
ligion unde6led, and they will strive,
by self-education, to attain higher
plane of life. Let me impress on
each one of you the absolute neces ,
sity of this course We have health,
strength, and, as has been proven
in these halls, brains; give us morals,
self.respect, honorable ambition, and
our future is secure. To our school
teachers and ministers, our fathers and
mothers, this great duty belongs; rs
they discharge this trust well, so shall
our future brighten and the hearts Of
friends be glad in the happiness, the
honor and prosperity of race, re-
deemed from bondage and rejoicing
in its youth and strength. May He
who has watched over us and guided
us and in His own good time brought
us this glad day, strengthen the
hearts and hands of our leaders and
teachers in the discharge of the grea
work committed to their care, and
all will be we'll.
A Jolly uncle had been relating