The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-06
The Negro Should Cultivate Self Reliance.

4
The greatest injury that slavery did mJ
race was to deprive them Of the executive
that sense Of self dependence, which II
| Saxcn race. For about two hundred
aud fifty years we were taught to depend
on some one else for food, clothing, ,.sheltei
and for every move in life, and you cannot
expect what was two hundred and fifty
years getting into u race can be gotten
out IN twenty-five or thirty years, unless
W. at least put into their midst christian
leaders.
Neithor here or in any part Of the world
do people come into close relation with a
race that Is to large extent empty headed
and empty handed. One race gets near
another In proportion as they aro drawn
by commerce. In proportion as the ono
gets hold of something that the other
wants or respects. Commerce, we must
acknowledge, in the light of history is the
grent fore-runner OF civilization and peace.
Whatever friction exists lesgeen the black
and white.man in the South will disappear
in proportion as tho black man by reason
Of. his intelligence and skill can create
something that the white wants or respects
can make the whito man dependent on
the negro for something instead of all be-
ing on the other side 1t Is important and
right that all the privileges of law be ours.
1t Is vastly more important that we be pre-
pared for the exercises of these privileges
none Of us will deny that Immediately
after freedom We made serious mistakes,
not because we were black people but bo.
cause we were ignorant and inexperienced
people. We have spent time and money
attempting to go to Congress, and State
Legislatures, that: could have been spent
In becoming the leading real estate dealer
or carpenter IN our own county. We
have spent time and money In making
political stump speeches and in attending
political conventions, that could have
better boon spent in starting factory of
some kind and thus have laid founda
Ion on which we could have stood and.
demanded our rights.
When man eats another persons food,
and wears another persons clothes, and
yes In an 9th. PERSONS houses 1t is pretty
hard to toll how that man will vote ut all.
We are hero, you rise as We rise; you fall
as we fall; we are strong when you are
strong; you are weak when we are weak.
No power can separate our destiny. The
negro cannot afford to be wronged In this
country. The white man cannot afford
70 wrong him. In the April number Of the
National Baptist Magazine we find the
following extracts of a speech delivered
by DR.. McVicar to the students of the
State University, louisville, Ky. a.
You may search history but you will find
no race has made such wonderful progress
in SO short time as your race. The whole
world Is astonlshed at your rapid advance
ment Now however much you may dis
like to hear it, yet am forced to tell you
that fear that your progress has come to
an end. During the thirty years In which
you have made such wonderful progress
you have had the willing hearts and open
pocket books Of the North at your service.
But now tho time is changed. The old
men and women Of the North who know
of the struggles OF your parents in slavery
are dying fast.
upon the scene. These people know moth
ing of your sorrows and former servitude,
therefore they will not be so likely to con-
tribute to your educational support. They
will only deal with you from purely bus.
ness principles. Now If the helping hand
OF the north is Withdrawn would you be
ready to assume the groat financial respon-
sjhility Of carrying on your educational
institutions? Think of these questions
| fear are now staring you In the face.
This means more than 1t expresses and ex
presses enough to kindle spirit Of inde.
pendent action in the breast Of every
negro. 1t admits that progress has been
made but gives all the credit to the white
man. 1t depreciates the ability of the
negro to do and be as Others only us he is
pulled along and aided by them.
DR.. McVicar, having bu littleif any
faith in the possibilities of our race seems
always to be saying to us: You know
you can do nothing without us white peo-
pie Of the north, and not only DR.. McVIca-
but some OF our little black Tom traitor
to whom we have referred, also claim that
negroes are bound to fail In every enter.
prise they attempt independent of the
white man s aid and control, which say is
false
The negro progress depends more upon
independent action on bis part. He has q
record of his own to make and those only
who aim to keep this fact fresh In his mind
arc his true friends and benefactors All
Others should be kept In the background
as enemies to the best interest OF the race,
whether they mean TO bo or not, or what
ever tito they may boar.
II fear your progress bas come to en
end" says DR., McVicar and 'whyP Sim
ply because the negro Is thinking of man
aging his own affairs. Over thirty years
ago when We were omanCipated, soma of
our old masters said "You will havo
nothing to cat, nothing to wear nor any
home and some negroes were foolish
enough to believe it and were actually
frightened at their freedom.
We arc told that white men fooled the
first negroes on their vessels that were
brought to this country from tho shores
of Africa, and they have been fooling us
In some way ever since. But ain getting
arc all getting tired. Soc tho picture Of
the white man dressing the negro. Tho
negro looks at himself with N degree
of pride, and says, " look MS well as a
white man, feel to be as much as n white |
man" he starts off down the street,
Tho white man standing on the corner |
sees him and says Hold on there. Tom;
don't throw your head so high and so far |
back in the air. Remember l gave you
that suit you have on and you seem to be |
ungrateful"
That Is Lumiliating, but Tom must bear |
1t so long rs he depends upon that white
man for his suits. This might be applied |
to our educational and other affairs ut this |
time. We must learn to begin to buy our
own suits md then wear them where and |
when wo please
A few words to tho trustees of tho Will
mington colored public schools I am
very sorry to say that had the pleasure of
being present at the Howard school cxer.
o!ses Oh Wednesday and Il lad who had
worked arduously in preparing piece of
work which Is called stand or centre |
table. He said to the trustee, Gas you
have done everything to mako II complete
through the school year take great pleas
ure IN presenting this little memento to
you" The lads action was as noble as
George Washington The gentleman
never arose from his seat. Courtesy was
out of the question. He showed q great
mark of contempt in tho highest degree.
A hint to the wise is sufficient.
ROMERO THOMAS, NJ D.