Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-10-18
The NEGRO.


The following address on tho rise and
progress Of the negro was delivered by
Br. w. II. Davis, before a very largo
adience, at Longview, Gregg county,
Tey. Saturday, October 10, 1892;
MIR CHAIRMAN AND FELLOW CIrI-
LiNs;--You do me great honor In Civ
ing me an opportunity 10 discuss this
great subject The negro, like the
white man in this country must hustle.
Tie must help himself then others will
nclp and respect him. The rise and
progress of the negro since his eman-
.ipation Is indeed wonderful. To me II
Is wonder that you have accomplished
10 much ia so short a time. History
furnishes no one instance where the
rapid growth and development Of q
desplsed race has equaled that OF
The negro Your rise and progress, too,
has been accomplished among people
who were your former masters, with q
remarkable degree OF success, it being
no common occurrence to see Il slave Of
few years ago filling an Office OF great
Importance while his master that was,
Is reduced almost TO poverty, aud an
example that Is really pitiiul to behold.
Then again, fellow citizens, you rs a
race are industrious, persevering and
ambitious, with devotion 20 love and
tluAhs w I'M lhthb hNNAb luhlAlltaf SUE
ress could not help but come TO you
Unsided, we have risen, step by step,
until we command the attention OF the
whole civilized world In spite OF poverty
and Observation-Disclosures number,
we have kept steadily on climbing The
ladder OF fame and fortune. True, we
have not reached the height Of our
ambition, but time Is only
needed to place yourselves side by side
with our white brother who has had
centuries 10 bring himself 70 his pres
Ant state Of perfection, while the poor
negroes have had comparatively
shorter time. The first step towards
she elevation Of the negroes was the
emancipation proclamation issued 10 49,
81. "'he nextstep toward his elevation In |
1875 the thirteenth amendment was |
.dopted. BY the fourteenth amend
nenpyou were made citizens and all |
civil rights were bestowed upon YOU BY |
lhis act millions were made citizens. |
Now comes the right 10 vote, which |
had been previously denied you. This |
vas made possibly by the adoption OF |
bhe fifteenth amendment, which for |
bid the states 10 deny the right OF suf- |
lrage TO any person on account OF his |
trace, color or previous condition |
pi servitude. This was the third step |
toward the elevation OF the negro 10 |
civil and political equality with tho |
white man This is certainly highly |
gratifying and encouraging, especially |
10 the leaders who have tried so hard |
and faithfully TO bring about tho obit- |
hratlon OF the most dannable curse upon |
the American escutcheon. After all Of
this new activity at once became
manifest among this down-trodden
"a
TO prepare themselves for the new era
which had come. You began 10 edu-
Bate your boys and girls, TO Ill POI
Jitions OF trust with integrity and
ability. You must educate your child
rem because II is the keynote OF pro
Eressiou and success IL Is
laudablc ambition 10 aspire
30 reach the top and such an ambition
u to be commended IN the negro. Our
destiny lies Ia our own band. knowl-
edge and wealth will accomplish much
for us. We are to-day hghting 70 win
a terrible struggle, 10 elect the Hon.
Geo. Clark governor Of this state and
we appeal 10 you as citizens TO help US
to win this great fight for Texas and
its interest, the greatest OF all states
five want to be considered, we must
take the issues that are agitatlug the
on sentlmentality. We must force the
Hoggo eracy and lis party 70 eoncede our
political and Industrial rights by
bringing them 10 defeat November s.
The brainy men, the patriotic men,
the business men are all gO-
ing 10 support the man that
will turn Texas loose ana restore CON
hdence and bring back progression.
We shall feel grateful 10 You II YOU
will help Us redeem ToNas, the home OF
the free and She brave. As political
factor the negro Is Of great Importance,
and you must wisely assert your indie
pendence in regard TO the choice OF po-
litical parties. As an American and as
q citizen Of Texas you must use your
ballot 10 bring about that which YOU
think IL Tor the best interest OF your
country, and then you must vote for
George Clark for governor Your idea
must be progressive instead Of retard.
ing. Too much cannot be said IN praise
OF you II you vote for the Interest OF
your country and not for party
In conclusion, let me say this, YOU
must not let the Hogg people with
their campaign poiey cock clap-uap
dclude You from the right course. You
must pool your interest with the true
man for Texas and progress. The
color line In politics Il crunibliug all
10 pieces, and our manhood and indie
pendence are being established upon
sound and fundamental principles
thank you kindly for having detained
YOU 30 long fAnDiauaa /