The historic times. [volume] (Lawrence, Kansas) 1891-1891, 1891-08-29
GOOD ADVICE.
What Shall the Colored Graduates Do?

Every thoughtful man looks well to
his future calling, whether it be teach
ing, preaching or tilling the soil, and by
observation we are led to accept the
words of the poet as true. that 'lite is
what we make it,
Especially does this seem true in the
United States where SO many grand OPP
portunities are thrusting themselves be-
fore the people. The political world is
calling the young man. the various prop
osltions have enlisted his genius; the
agricultural world is reckoning to him,
and az he mounts the ladder of honesty,
stability, frugallty, purity and constancy,
and closely adheres to their teachings.
his destiny is secure.
But, alas | hear muttering among the
southern pines, in the cold north, in the
busy and densely populated east, and in
the aried west. The dnsky sons OF Ham
are complaining, they say, "Life is what
we make it, is ouly applicable TO the
| whites, and that the opportunities are
| with the whites. That the cOlored man
or woman may go to school. spend their
| money gaining an education and through
out their college life study by the side Of
| their white brothers, and as the case often
| Is far ahead Of them, that they may both
stand upon the rostrum together and as is
! usually the case, the colored man gets the
applause of tho audience for the credit
able manner in which he delivered his
| we'll written production. But when they
start out into real life the white man gets
the positions and the colored man is
forced to ask, "What shall do TO obtain
nv daily bread" If he tries the CONNER
cial world certain class Of customers dis
like him, and therefore his services are
not wanted. If he appeals to the pro-
fessiOns he finds that as a lawyer or a
physician. he only gets case because he
is more skilled and more Intelligent than
hts white brother, it is not enough that
he be their equal. The young lady grad
slate n ust 60 from her home into un-
known districts and teach those of her
own race, or 90 into mcnial services in
the homes; she can hardly become a gov
erness. The question is often asked,
"Why does not the colored people take
longer courses in our colleges and nm.
versities? Because they see boulders in
their path, they see that whatever they
may enter, wherever they may &C, whether
on the highest mountain Or in the lowest !
valley, be it populated race prejudice
has outstripped them; and in this
dilemma | hear them eXclaim ''What shall |
| do for living"
Young man, yOnng woman, arouse from |
your lithargy. Remember that Romo was
not built in a day; that the Plebean |
struggled against the Patrieian for cen
turies; for this cause the Grachi died: and
Ireland, over seven millions strong ;s
struggling under almost unbearabe op-
pressions. Our revolutionary fathers
were oppressed; but the Plebean and the
Puritan hath outgrown their shackles.
How? BY gaining wealth and intelli-
gence and fighting their own battles; and
this is the road that every people must
follow who would gain recognition.
We have wasted too much time with
politics, looking for the mule and the
forty acres of land. Our education should
have more of an industrial turn, every
one should learn some trade. in which it
Is not enough for lis to equal others but
our motto should be 81 strive to excel"
Let some of you be preachers, others lee
urers, mechanics. doctors, lawyers, mer-
chants, farmers and BARRIERS. Let us en-.
leavor TO break down that abominable
claim of "superiority." The missionary
ield is white for the harvest. | verify
believe that it was the divine plan, that
We should be brought to America and
educated that Africa might some day be
edeemeh "Offenses must needs be-" OF
course all of us will never go to Africa,
uch thing would be absurd and redicu.
Qua. ,
Young men, young womea, let no faint
# shame mar your character, the world
5 looking for virtuous men and women.
The business element will soon be askino.
ot who are you, but "what can ven do" !
)ur college graduates are needed every. c
where, evsn on the farm and i'll the dis.
ricts, that they may help TO mould our
ublic school system so that it may be az
ongenial to our people as TO the whites. !,
Dung women, your education is needed ,
n the homes, that you may be able TO {
ear, in the best way, those tender plants Z
hat may be entrusted to your care. Don't 8
e afraid to work at any labor that is
ouorable. q
Then, colorod graduates, let MS not y
tand back but put our shoulder to the !,
heel Let not the petty excuse that we !.
re going TO meet opposition, deter any .
ne from gaining an eiucation, "a smooth .
pa never made a skillful mariner y
hose who help themselves are those :
Tho get helped. Let us obey the laws of c
fOI and FRY tO obey tha ous NJ 49,. i