National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-24
NEGRO CAPABILITIES.
Rev. Joseph Price, the Negro Orator
Eulogizes His Race. .

The Rev. Joseph Q. Price, the colored
lecturer, spoke last evening in the First
Congregational church upon the subject,
"Negro Capabilities" The lecture was de-
livered under the auspices of the colored
associations of North Carolinians in
Washington. Seated upon the platform
were II. l. Edwards, president, and w. c.
Fearing, secretary of the association the
committee OF invitation. Messrs. G. C. Sour
lock, +. l.. Thornton, and II. c. Tyson, Con-
gresham York, Of North Carolina; Frederick
Douglass, Rev. DIR. Patton, of Howard uni
versity; Prof. Wylie Lane, of Howard uni
| ton. fol, td,ed by,I Williams, tho hyiounqap
J ia NEI the solo, Nearer, NV God
to Thee" sang by Miss Evan. a member Of
the church choir.
Congressman York. who presided Mt the
meeting, when introduced by Mr.. Edwards,
! said that he had the pleasure of presenting
to the audience one of North Carolina's gifted
sons.
Mr. Price was greeted with applause, and
| after row Introductory remarks proceeded
to discuss the subject of his lecture. A retro
spect was made of the Iraelites when in Egyp-
tain bondage, their march through the Red
sea to the promised land as freedmen,
Then he came down to the epoch of the
nineteenth century, when Abraham Lincoln,
with one stroke of his pen, in the month of
The colored raco have crossed the Red sea,
but the promised land has not yet been found.
In referring to the changed condition of
the colored people since they were emanci-
pated, tho lecturer said; from an ignorant,
wandering, ragged set, following the tracks
OF Gen. Sherman and living in log cabins
and tents, they now have their neatly
built houses in North Carolina, with
paintings hanging upon the walls and
musical instruments in their parlors
Whatever doubts there may be as to other
capabilities Of the negro no one doubts that
they stand alone in the rendition of that
lovely, pathetic, subdued, and tender hearted
juklee music and yet Nine. Celletti has
shown that colored people can sing something
moro than plantation music.
The land in North Carolina, which the
colored race sowed in slavery, is now reaped
by them MS joyous freedmen. There have
been double the number of bales of cotton
sent from the south to Europe under free
labor than during tho days of slavery. The
negroes have accumulated since tho war
SlOO,OOOCOO worth of property, and two mon,
former slaves of Jefferson Davis, now own his
plantation, for which they paid S200,O00. In
Georgia, where there are $4,000 voters, the
colored men own SIOO0,00O Oworth of property.
The colored race have added $25O,OOO 900 to
the material wealth of the country.
J., All tho colored race ask is fair chance in
the race OF life. The negro is Judged from
reversed standard that is warped and dis
torted by Judgment born of hate. If slavery
brought out the fidelity, patience, and en-
durance of the negro then freedom brought
out his intellectual capabilities.
For intellectual capacity the negro need
not be ashamed of his record. Fifty years
ago colored slave, by the forco Of his logic
and eloquence, famed the flame that was
kindled in the cause of liberty and freedom
and struck q blow at the slave oligarcby of
the south His object has been accomplished
In support Of his argument the lecturer
referred to the most prominent colored men
known in the fields of science and as brilliant
lights at the bar, in the medical profession,
IN the pulpit, in the colleges and women in
art and as school teachers. The lecturer closed
with an eloquent poroTation upon the patriot-
ism and religious character of the negro
The audience was mainly composed of
students and their friends from the Howard
university and Wayland seminary but there
were also considerable portion of whito
persons present.
The lecturer is q man of stalwart proper
tions, middle aged and very dark color. He
is undoubtedly scholar and speaks tho
English language with case and elegance.
lie was frequently applaudod and the wit
interspersed throughout HIS lecture elected
tho heartiest laughter. He resides at Sails
bury, N. O., but leaves for Boston to-day.