The state journal., 1884-02-02
Our Duty to Ourselves.

The position held by our people III
life is not by any means an envlable
one, though it is much improved to
that of few years back. We are
in a great measure to be blamed for
this state Of things. While we can
point to and give many proofs OF the
oppression, hardships and disadvan-
tageous conditions under which we
have struggled, it in nowise destroys
the fact that we have been dilatory
and too extremely passive in all
things tending to embrace our wei
fare. We have been too well salts
fed with the simple qualification Of
our appetites, and wholly obivious
to our real duty as people. There
have been, of course, 4 few notable
exceptions, but these only prove the
existence of the rule.
We do not propose to assume
parental charge of our people, nor do
we speak thus to detract from them;
but we do feel that the fallacies, the
decisions, and the mastery inactivity
which are, seemingly part and parcel
of our being should be eliminated
and give place to healthy and vigor
GUS effort. We are obligated one TO
the other for the repression Of exist
ing evils and the accomplishment Of
those things that create wholesome
influence for good and lasting results
The success and permanency of our
institutions, the general Improvement
and the substantial footing which we
must secure in order to become an i'm
portant factor in the affairs Of to-day
and the future, must come through
positive and united ende2vors.
In the first place, we need to mar
shall our forces into ore solid phalanx
Without union, we cannot hope to
compete even with those who are
constantly putting forth organized
efforts to win, although, by far, much
in advance of us. Again, we lack
race-pride,t the necessary sympathy that
is possessed by all other nationalities
and is ever being exhibited among
them. The consequence Of this is
that we are deprived of the enjoyment
of rights, in many instances, Justly
ours. These are facts well-known
and cannot be denied.
The most important feature in our
deficiencies is the great lack Of edu-
cation. This cannot be called fault
of ours, for the privileges given US in
years past were not conducive to in
tellectual advancement. The facili-
ties of the present, however, we don't
think are appreciated as they should
be. Education we want and educa-
ton we must have. 1t is the lever
that is to elevate us from the unen-
viable position which is nov ours.
We cannot expend too much effort in
in this regard: no sacrifice is too great
for its attainment; no legacy SO i'm
portant. Let the cry be, educate!
educate educate Wipe out the
hindrances that have been so tena
cious and SO detrimental to our well
fare, and, at last, through the per-
sistency and earnestness of purpose
surmount the rugged pathway and
impiant the banner of true felicity and
success.
The national rules of the Repub-
lican party whicNwe publish in this
issue calls for a wide range of repre-
sentation to all factions Of the party
and the test to the sincerity Of those
rules will be evidenced by the number
of colored delegates from northern
states in the next national conven-
ton.
The refusal Of the Hackensack
cemetery company of New Jersey
which Gov. ABBOTT has made an &C.
casion for special message to the
Legislature is a striking evidence of
the position the poor black man still
holds in this noble land of the brave
and home of the free. Hated and
despised in life rejected and cursed
when dead.