The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-07-21
THE MESSENGER: FRIDAY, July 2. ny

ers among the American blacks. There
is another negro who is teaching who
Is not only of good attainments, but il
decidedly intelligent, OF wide outlook
and with courage OF convictions. He
has charge Of the chair OF mathematics
in Howard college, Washington City.
He delivered the address to the gradu-
ating class some weeks ago. We saw
an extract in the Washington Post
from which we copy a large part, az
it is wise and appropriate to the
times:
do not waste time complaining
against the existing order OF society.
Enter a manly protest against all forms
of wrong and injustice, but do not pass
your days in wailful lachrymations
against the regulations Of a civilization
whose grandeur you have done nothing
to make, and whose seventies you are
doing nothing to mollifys Leave that
to the ignorant demagogue. Bring
your knowledge OF history and human
nature to bear upon the situation. I
have already pointed out to you that
the adjustment of mans relation to
man constitutes n Of the primary
problems Of life Where this adjust
ment is complicated by diverse physical
peculiarities and by different inherited
or acquired characteristics, the problem
becomes one of the greatest intricacy
that has aver taxed human wisdom and
patience for solution. Race prejudice
is as much a fact as the law OF gravi-
tation, and it would be as suicidal to
ignore the operation of the one as that
Of the other. Mournful complaint is as
impotent as an infant crying against
| the fury of the wind. " Do not be
discouraged, then, that all the wrongs
Of the universe are not righted at your
bidding. The great humanitarian
movement which has been sweeping
over the civilized world from the mid
| die Of the 9 eighteenth century to the
present time, manifesting itself in po-
litical revolutions, in social and moral
reforms, and in works of love and
mercy, affords the amplest assurance
that all worthy elements of the popu-
lation will ultimately be admitted to
share in the privileges and blessings of
| civilization according to the measure of
their merit"
There are both wisdom and thought
in that excellent extract. 1t is indeed
can enlightened code," as the Post
characterized it, that is laid down for
the benefit and final upbuilding OF at
least a part of his race-that part
which shall really learn the lessons Of
l hictNru ond yooEyaIt ,,onr INV Tho in
fluences and examples of civilization.
The negroes were liberated and clothed
with great civic powers and opportuni-
ties before they were remotely equipped
for such a perillous advancement. They
were made law makers before they
knew the first letter. in the alphabet OF
civics. Indeed, after thirty-three years
! Of freedom, not many Of the race have
yet got beyond the letter A in said
alphabet. Some, like Professor Miller
and President Washington, have made
noble progress, and are wise and en-
lightened men. They are to be honor
ed and regarded with appreciation and
sympathy. They are race builders.
They are seeking diligently to help
their people to a clearer comprehension
of the situation-te a completer under
standing of their relations to govern
ment, to society, to the developing of
national prowess and glory. They are
trying to correct false, misleading,
absurd notions, and to impress upon
the negro race upon what lines of &C.
tivity it must move if it is ever respect
ed and trusted. They are in their re-
81 ective spheres doing a most noble
and commendable service to their race
and the country at large. We copy in
part the Posts excellent comment on
Professor Miller's appeal:
"He tells them that they cannot ex-
! pect to enter into a social scheme
which they have done nothing to es-
tablish and perfect, and to modify it to
suit their views. They must do as
other aces have had to do since the be-
ginning of the world-"deal with pri-
mary conditions" waste not their time
Sin useless complaint agains4 the mar
rowness of their opportunities and the
misery Of their lot" but Ego into the
wood country and cut down for them
selves" They have to be pioneers, to
acquire the faculty Of the initiative, Of
construction, Of leadership. They can
not invade a civilization which others
have created and undertaken to regu-
late it to their taste. They must accept
the conditions the Anglo-Saxons have
established or establish conditions OF
their own. The world is wide. This
country is wide. There is room for
everybody. Let the negro act for him.
self and make his place in the equation
of human progress"