The national leader., 1889-04-27

prloe, ne may we'll ask, What race? for
large percentage of the colored race
are relateo IN some degree to more than
one race. But the whole assumption
or race pride IS ridiculous, Let us
have done with complexional snperior-
tiles or interlOrities, complexional nride
or shame. want no better basis for
my activities and affinitles than the
broad foundation laid by the Rible j.
self, tnat God has made of one blood
all nations OF men to dwell on all the
face of the earth. This comprehends
the Fatherhood Of Good and the
brotherhood of man.
have another criticism to make of
| position which, l think, often invites
anfavorable comparison and positive
disparagement. 1t is our noisy asser.
t1on or equality with the Caucasian
! race. There are two kinds Of equality.
one potential and the other actual. one
theoretical and the other practical. We
should not be satisfied by merely quot.
ing the doctrine Of equality as laid
down IN the Declaration of Independ-
ence. but we should give it practical
Illustration. We have to DO as well as
to be. If we had built great ships.
sailed around the world, taught the
science of navigation, discovered far
off islands, capes, and continents. en-
larged the boundaries of human knowi-
edge, improved the conditions Of mans,
existence, brought valuable contribu-
tiOns of art, science, and literature.
revealed great truths, organized great
states. administered great governments.
defined the laws of the universe, form.
ulated systems Of mental and moral
philosophy, invented railroads, steam
engines. moving machines, sewing
machines, taught the sun to take pic
lures, the lightning to carry messages,
we then might claim, not only potential
and theoretical equality, but actual and
practical equality. Nothing IS gained
to our cause by claiming for ourselves
more than of right we can establish
belongs to u.s. Manly f-assertlon, /
know, is a power, and L would have
that power employed within the
bounds Of truth and sobriety. We,
should never forget. in our relations
with our fellows, that
MoDEsTY is ALSO A POWER.
w uCA AZ 10 Adu1lCObCu WlUIlOuU duy
touch Of servility it is as sure to win
respect as unfounded pretenslon Is to
provoke and receive contempt. We
should give our critics no advantage at
this point, either by word or conduct.
Our battle with popular prejudice re-
Quires On our part the utmost circum.
spection in word and In deed. Our
men should be gentlemen and our
women ladies, and we can be neither
without modest reserve in mind and
in manners.
Were not speaking to the most cul-
tivated class OF our people, for the
Bethel Literary Society comprises that
class, might hesitate to employ this
course of remark. You, am quite
sure, will not misapprehend my state.
ments or my motives.
There is one other point worthy of
anlmadversion-it is the error that
union among ourselves is an essential
element of success in our relations to
the white race. This, in my judgment.
is very serious mistake. l can hardly
point out one more pregnant with peril
1t is cOntended that we are now eight
millions, that we hold the balance OF
power between the TWO great political
parties of the country, and that. II we
were only united in one body. under
wise and powerful leaders, we could
shape the policy OF both political par
/ ties, make and unmake parties. control
the destiny of the republic, and secure
for ourselves a desirable and happy
future. They say that In union there
is strength; that united we stand ana
divided we fall, and much else OF the
same sort.
My position is the reverse OF all Ihls.
| hold that our union is in weakness.
In quoting these wise sayings col0red
men seem to forget that there are ex-
ceptions to all general rules, and that
our position in this country IS an ex-
ceptional position. The rule for US Is
the exception. There are times ana
places when separation and DIVISION are
better than union, when to stand apart
is wiser than standing together; mere
! are buildings which will nolo ie"'
but which will break down unueF Cue
| weight of crowd; the ice o. the llVer
may be strong enough to bear lnah,
but would break through unueI tho
weight OF an elephant. Inc lce unuoI
US IN this country is very thin, ana Is
made very weak by the warm logs ol
prejudice. A few colored people sca.-
tered among large white communities
are easily accepted by such commuhi % -
ties, and larger measure OF noetty Is
accorded to the few than Woulu Oe W
the many. The trouble Is tnaC "neH
we assemble in great numbers any any
where we are apt to form communio.es on
by ourselves, and our occupation .. ahS shS
part of town or city, apart lrom ,a.o ..o
people surrounding US, brings 10 tnso
separate schools, separate churcnes,
L Il. nd llERIdII OOO1O-