Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-03-31
NsarO Ambition.

pOuueHI on the SUBJECT OF NE grO
Persecution" which | have read with
much interest. The last sentence in
the editorial pass, together with some
others that enter in quotations, strikes
me as remarkable in this age of the
world, and as being entirely too sweep
ing. 1t is as follows: .sIhe Reporter
has not word to say against the At
rican race; its remarks, based on per-
sonal knowledge were in regard to the
absence of ambition, which is a marked
characteristic of that people," From
my standpoint, chased on personal
knowledge" Il must beg leave to differ
from the above sweeping conclusion.
Fifteen years ago ! began a direct
study of the race in an investigation
into the workings of the Underground
Railroad, with which had had some
acquaintances from boyhood. In fol-
lowing up this subject have learned
that the impression made on my child
hood sixty years ago that ''niggers are
fit for nothing but BARRIERS and wait
ersn are erroneous, and that they as
pire to broader and higher things and
purposes.
In the city of Cleveland, Ohio, may
be found district of colored people
amounting to many thousands. Many
of them have homes and possess con-
siderable wealth, and are in the enjoy
ment of churches. clubs, newspapers
and G. A. Il. Post of their own.
From among them have gone men to
the Buckeye legislature and to other
honorable and responsible positions.
These things have not been accom-
plished without ambition .
Chicago furnishes another example.
Along Dearborn and State streets
from abont 9th to 34th streets is an
African quarter possessing fine homes
and churches and many other indica-
tions OF responsibility and thrift.
also possesses a colony of
like enterprise and perseverance.
Oberlin, the college city of Ohio, has
a large colored population which be-
gan to congregate there directly from
the domain of slavery over sixty years
ago; in that time many of them have
become educated and refined
Fifty years ago John Young of Vir-
yinia, came into possession of large
estate by Inheritance and with it
about forty slaves. Not liking the
peculiar institution. he resolved to
id himself of Land came into Mercer
county, western Pennsylvania, and
bought him large tract of land. Co
ne back he manumitted all his bond
men, preparatory to moving. Learn
ne his purpose, these besought the
privilege of going with him that they
night be somebody The wish
vas granted and their numerous de-
pendants form an honorable and re-
pected citizenship in the county, con-
one entire village. About
he same time James Benine colonized
alvin township, Cass county, Michl-
an, in similar manner, and Africa
oes not take a back seat for any
ther township in the county for thrift
r enterprise and patriotism.
A stranger, | step upon the streets
t Lancaster and meet the ..coons."
hey average as well dressed, as well
ehaved, drive as good teams as she
Their country folks l see, and am
old their settlement is made up of in
ustriods farmers. Many other SINH
II instances might be; and yet in the
African race is the marked absence
ambition
Take different view. On the or
of the government. slavery
Xisted in all the states. Its abolition
l the north soon began and it finally
isappeared by being blotted, last of
Il, from the statute books of New
.ork, July 4, 1927. How and when
disappeared, legally, from the South,
re all know. With the abolition of
layery in New England, New Jersey
nd Pennsylvania began the exodus Of
lgitives from the South over the So
allied underground Railroad Over
his thoroughfare some 10000 passed
. Canada or places of safety in tAo
'orth, Notwithstanding all the power
t the Federal and State governments
,as arrayed against them; that they
fere vigilantly watched by seryile