The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-26

/ Senator William F. Mason delivered an
| address yesterday afternoon before the
| Lyceum Of the Second Colored Baptist
/ Church, in Fourth Street between and I
Streets northwest. His subject was Per
sonal Liberty" and during his remarks he
| discussed briefly phases Of the negro ques-
/ ton. He also made reference to the expan-
/ sion policy Of the present Administration
/ deuounclng it in strong terms.
Senator Mason began by speaking a word
/ Of encouragement to the young colored
/ people Of Washington. who have organized
the lyceum for mutual benefit and i'm
provement
Referring to the question Of liberty. he
said that the war against slavery began
long before any Of the present generation
were born. and would continue long after
they were gone. Those who defend
slavery" said he. always said that the
slave was owned and governed for his
good. For instance when we in America
were fighting for cur liberty, the King of
England answered MS that he wanted to
govern us FOR our own good. and in the
Kings address TO Parliament he said he
wanted TO give rs liberty.
Pitt, who was the friend Of liberty and
a friend Of America. asked how the King
intended TO give us liberty The King
answered by bayonets. We" said Mr.
Mason. have temporarily gene into this
interviewing business We're going to
give people liberty with our guns. We are
told by a distinguished statesman that We
shall send governors to a people TO- 00
miles aWaF.-They are 10 be good men Oh.
so good stand your good man up on a
pedestal and look al him Imagine him to
be the very best kind Of a man in educa-
ton. honesty. and principle After you
have looked at him, let me tell you what
Lincoln said about him: No man is good
enough 70 govern another man without his
consent "
Senator Mason then spoke Of the duties
Of citizenship, and advised the young men
present that the best way to advance
themselves and their country was to cul-
tivate individual industry and character.
He mentioned Or. Curtis. the young col
ored surgeon OF Chicago, who had, after a
examination. became the head
Of the Froedmau's Hospital in this city |
and suggested that his life and success were |
a complete answer when il was charged |
that the race is not progressive. He urged .
them TO PERFORM every duty from the |
lldlItsl 10 the most ShlllIul lduOT. from ]
the backing OF boots and the cleaning Of /
streets TO the trying Of law case. to the /
preaching of a sermon. as though their /
whole existence depended upon doing it in
The best possible way.
Speaking Of the duty of the citizen to-
ward his country, he said: We must
stand by our country. Il is not infallible:
Z has made mistakes, snd may make them
'gain. For a hundred years We sang
The Land OF the Free and the Home OF
he Brave. and sold women and children
10 the highest bidder for cash. We tore
Town the slave pen. the whipping post. and
he auction block. but We did not have ma
erial enough 10 make head boards for the
graves OF the men who sacrificed their
ives 10 do il. We must try TO prevent our
country from making further mistakes in
he slave business We have the best
country In the world. d greater freedom
md opportunity for the ldbcrer. We must
Keep ii as our fathers gave il to US. Every
inc you young colored men perform any
iuty honorably. you give additional proof
hat slavery was a mistake
Senator Mason declared that he knew
low the people in the state OF Lincoln
cit on the question Of personal liberty.
They believe as the great emancipation
lid. and though a champion Of liberty
light be unpopular now. he would continue
o uphold it, no matter what the conse-
uences were
Representative White Of North Caro-
ina followed Senator Mason. He advised
Ifs hearers to take an active part in the
fairs OF their country. He urged that
he colored people build homes and ad-
nonished them against tearing down the
ZONES Of others and against mob violence
Judson ". Lyons Register Of the Treas
Ie advocated peaceable insistence upon
he colored peoples rights. He deplored
nything savoriug OF violence.
The auditorium OF the church was crowd
d and the remarks Of the speakers were
.eceived with enthusIastic applause.