The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-09-26
THE SOUTHERN NEGRO.


Editor san Antonio Light.
We. as a race, have reached the point |
in our existence where the slightest turn |
in the tide of fortune will tell Its own
story. Nothing threatens disaster to the
Negro more than the triple sisters
prejudice, superstition and ilattery. lg-
norance is their mother. We are often
benefited more by those who differ with
us than we are by those who agree with
us. Truth is eternal, but justice will yet
triumph over every wrong. These may
be hindered for time, but never can be
destroyed. Good men may be mistaken
for II foe and struck down by violence,
but the cause Of right can never be van
pushed The voice of the people enlist
ed for the defense Of right and honor
may be stilled and 90 unheeded; the ban
ner of truth Is unfurled with victory
pcrched on her bold front. Eternal truth
is the citadel and rocky Gibraltar for the
oppressed of every cline. The harvest
must follow the sowing in quantity and
kind. Now is the time to SOW the good
seed of honesty, integrity and economy
in the fertile soil of a nations mind. No
terrain, the reapening must come with
the future, governed by the sowing
present. The first thing that claims
our attention is not the mere
empty praise Of those who may
from selfish motives crafty our present
desire for Just as sure as we do now en-
ioy the present, the future will come
and bring the rewards; then hope dies In
rich fruition. Let us establish a good
character on the foundation of eternal
truth, right, Justice and mercy. These
constitutes the chief cornerstone on
which we must erect our superstructure,
for God has not made the path of virtue
and religion hard and thorny MS some
suppose. Neither has he hung it over
with dark clouds, nor made its fruits
bitter. Nor do rugged rocks and briers
choke the way and lacerate the limbs Of
those who walk therein. However,
those who fall into error seem to view a
good reputation as matter of no mo-
ment. and would If they could secure a
good reputation without trouble and
perseverance. Those who claim the ne
gative, place themselves in a most criti-
cal position, They are like ship in
mid ocean without chart, compass or
rudder, liable to be turned hitler or
thither by every tickle wind that blows
and dashed upon dangerous reefs. If
white men are obliged to follow the
pathway marked out by wisdom MS the
only road to success, black men can do
no better than follow their good exam
pie. II white men are obliged to main
tain decision of character, and live wOr-
thy of public trust, black men must do
the same. or stand from beneath the
tufted minions Of the stars and stripes
and the eagle.
We can not establish new
civilization on the American soil,
neither can any other nationality
do anything Of the kind. It is in order
then for us to comply with the stipula-
lions of the Constitution of civil society,
constructed as they are, to meet the ever
varying circumstances OF n liberty low
/ ing people. The condition Of the Negro
of the South appeals to the good con
science of our country's noble men and
women to aid to establish good char
acter, without which he will always fall
an easy victim to harmful temptation
| Without good character every fond
| hope and prospect are forever blasted.
| The want of 1t will undermine the best
advantages. Let us live up to our great
/ privileges in this matter. Honor may
| be conferred, but character can not be =.
have been watching our progress along
these lines for 10 years, during which
time have occasionally ventured re-
mark In first one then another newspa-
per where our people could see it and
read 1t and consider the matter in due
season. For the present | close, feeling
nothing strange II some will continue Ia
misiudge my Intentions and regard me
as a visionary novice, If no worse O
being. MACK HENSON.