The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-16
BLACK MANS BURDEN.
Rev G. D. OIden Discusses the Out
RACES Against Colored People

Rev. G d Olden of the First African
Baptist church delivered a forcible and
pointed lecture on the present status OF
the condition of the negro in America
before a large audience Sunday night
Upon the blackboard in the rear Of
the pulpit was drawn a picture repre-
senting the negro Sam Hose, chained
10 a tree, enveloped in flames, and sur
rounded by an unruly and bowling mob
Mr. OIden began by saying For
nearly 500 years the negro constituted
the white mans beast Of burden and
his back log in the winters. and his UNI
brella in the rainy seasons It was for
from his native country TO be the slave
Of a master in a new world. and the
idea Of the enslavsment of the savage
African resulting in the elevation 10
citizenship did not enter the minds Of
those who eusIaved him
All the white man ever saw in the
negro was the beast of burden ordained
OF God.t serve his purpose as mental.
in the lowest positions of life All the
opportunities to improve himself social
" and intellectually were denied
In speaking Of mob law Mr. Olden
said 1t does the race a great injustice,
because it holds Us up before the world
as a dangerous people and unworthy TO
live in a respectable community. The
effect Of this is seen and felt in this
city Even now a respectable negro of
this city cannot rent. or buy q house or
home where white people reside. no
matter whether those people be rich or
poor
There Is as much difference between
negroes as there is between white peo-
pie and the respectable negro Is as much
opposed TO crime IN his race the
white man is opposed 10 crime in his
race. and the negro would protect the
home OF the white man as quickly as he
would protect his own The idea that
the uegTO's presence would depreciate
the value Of property is created out OF
prejudice and mantIed in the robe Of
injustice
Mr. OIden said he was unwilling to
accept the statement OF Mr. ingalls,
that there is no future for the negro
in this country"
The negro has been advised by
rabid and hot-headed leaders TO resort
TO the torch and dynamite in order to
secure his rights as a citizen Such ad-
vice only tends to drive from him his
few white friends and invite destruc-
ton Of life and property; and the negro
could no more contend agaiuSt the now
ers that be than the naked savage with
his bow and arrow could with the mag
azines and dynamite factories in the
possession Of white men He would find
himself only in the position Of sheep at
the mercy of the sIaughterer The only
way out of this difficulty is trusting in
God and patiently working and strug-
Cling for better and higher citizenship
II Is folly Tor the negro 10 expect con-
gresS to enact any law for the better
meut OF his condition. and what the
negro * to be he must make himself BY
concentrating MS moral UlancIal and
intellectual forces There is no better
place TO begin this work than in our
homes and urge upon parents the
necessity Of a higher moral and reIig-
eOus training OF their children
He referred to the number OF children
who are out of school. who can be found
daily aSSociating with a vicious and de-
PRAYED element He said that If the next
generation Is to be an Improvement
over this II depends upon the homes Of
the parents
Mr. OIden said that he knew it was