The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-07-23
The Negro And
His Mission.
THE COLOREp NORMAL IN
STITITE.
Fine Lecturing by Supt. Royal,
Chairman John 4On and Rev.
j. W Turner.
TIFF EFFORTS OF The C0LORED
TEACHERS W0RTHYOF COMMEN-
DkTI0N.

5Cb'oI biIt VI NtbISC. IitDS IL
what We thought at frat and
probably what many others
think. But it is mistake. Not
one cent II public funds was
used. The negro teachers raised
the money from among them
selves by contributions to de-
fray the expenses. In fact they
got the whole thing up them
selves for their own improve
ment. This is h hopeful sign
and shows that there are some
elements OF progress in the race
Surt. Royal tells us that the
attendance was full and prompt,
interest marked and the i'm
provement satisfactory.
Rey. J. w. Turner lectured for
them on the English Language
Mr.. Warren Johnson, charm III
Of the Board Of Education, gave
them an excellent talk, which
is so striking and thoughtful
that we give it in full. He
spoke as follows:
At the request OF our worthy
Superintendent Of Public In
structlOn, Prof. Royal, | promis-
ed to come here to day, but
merely az a spectator | en-
phaticly declired his polite
invitation TO make "just brief
talk" to you. Spec n making
is not nv trade or profession.
But after participating in the
interesting exercises Of the
morning, l will not forego the
privilege granted OF saying a
few words by way Of encourage
ment and commentator.
Without time for preparation
my thoughts will necessarily
be crude and undigested but in
the abundance of chaf / hope,
perchance, you may find a grain
Of instruction. Your race has
for centuries occupied the
Southern half Of one of the
Grand Divisions of the globe. In
olden time the northern portion,
occupied by q different race,
was the seat Of political power
and the grainery of the world.
Three thousand years ago the
Egyptians were the most highly
civilized and enlightened PEG
pie on the face Of the earth. It
was the home Of learning the
school Of the arts and sciences
To day her pyramids, the ruins
OF her magnificent temples
mausolems and cities are the
wonder Of the world. But the
negro race occupying, as / have
said, the southern half of this
grand division Of the earth, has
never yet made one forward
step in civilization or human
development. The pc )ple live
upon the spontaneous produc-
lions of the soil. They have
the grandest lakes and waite,
courses in the world. But nc
popnlous cities with their
teeming millions chez ker
enliven and adorn their shores
No proud ships floating their
broad pennant pillow the
oceans foaming pillows. On
the other hand it is known that
they are exceedingly ignorant
and degraded-savages, making
constant war-fighting and max
ing slaves of each other. Pagans
worshipers OF idols, believers in
witch-craft, whole tribes 80 low
down i'll intellectual develop
ment that they cannot count
above number two.
Now in the course Of human
events numbers of these wild
barbarians were brought TO this
country and sold a. slaves. We
are told that slavery is unjust,
inhunan and the slavs-boIder
is held up to the execration OF
the world
But | look upon slavery as it
existed i'll this country in I. far
different light. l would not
restore it. l rejoice that it is
blotted out, forever blotted out.
Yet | see in it the hand Of God.
l read in it the greatest blessing
ever vouch-safed your race by
an All-wise Providence.
Your ancestors were brought
here from the jungles Of Africa
from the lowest state OF bar
barism and sold 10 the most
enlightened people on the face
OF tue earth. They became in
mates Of the wealtnie.t and
pest educated families in the
land. BY association, by pre-
cept, and by example, they be-
come enlightened civilized and
christiarized. Look back, If
you please, to Africa, the dark
continent as it is called, and
point me, il yon can, to any
community with a like number
OF your race in ii. as we'll educa-
ted and enlightened as the
audience before me o-day.
This | say is the great blessing.
though unseen by many it NAV
be, slavery has conferred upon
the colored race.
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