The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-02

the glories and strengthen the achieve
ments of the future by a careful study
of our present opportunities; that you dis
miss from your minds idle broodings OF
the past and impracticable air-castles OF
the future and seize the opportunities OF
the glorious present.
Forty years have passed since we en-
tered the arena among men, destitute, un-
lettered and untutored, and today our i'm
portance is shown by the fact that no
question has assumed more vitality in the
American mind than the Negro Problem.
Forty years ago it was feared that we
would be unable to withstand the stern
exactions and fierce competition of Amer
l lean civilization; that we, like the In
dams, would gradually disappear under
the fierce rays of the sun of American
progress and enlightenment. We have
answered these fears by the evolution
from four million slaves to ten million
American citizens Forty years ago it was
feared that we could not digest the alb
struse teaching of an education that was
/ addressed purely to the intellect and not
to the hands. AS our fathers learned the
one in the days of their enslavement, 50
| their children in the early dawn OF free
dom, ere the glorious sun of a bright day
had risen to drive back the dark clouds
of the long night through which we have
passed, we were found in the school rooms
! and college halls, eagerly drinking of the
| fountain of knowledge, so that today we
have graduates from Harvard, Yale and
all the leading Institutions of the world;
today we have an educated ministry,
| teachers of scholarly attainmentS and OF
gratifying qualification, doctors and law
yeis, who are fully prepared to respond
to the demands of the hour Forty years
ago we were almost entirely illiterate;
since emanciation we have reduced our
| illiteracy nearly 60 per cent, and ii the
lsame rate of decrease can be continued for
the next forty years, the illiteracy of our
race almost entirely will be ybliterated.
Forty years ago we crossed the Red Sea
upon our journey wandering in the Wild
erness of our inexperence and poverty to-
wards the Canaan of intelligence wealth
and happiness, not laden with the Dor
rowed possessions of those from whose
household we departed but homeless, pen
niless and unsettled. Today nearly two
hundred and fifty thousand negroes own
their homes, farms, horses, cattle and ac-
cumuated property amounting to over six
hundred million dollars With such a his
1 tory as is suggested by this sbrief sum-
mary, the world should note that in fac
ing our present opportunities we do not
turn from the past because we are asham-
ed of the record Of our ancestors
Nor in facing our present opportuni-
ties should We bring with us from the
past feelings of hatred or of prejudice.
For these are the baser passions of the
human heart; these are the poisonous
and whitening influences that pervade the
low land of injustice tyrrany and little
ness, which would obscure our vision and
would prevent US from aspiring and as
cending to the high lands of moral and
intellectual breadth and of true great
Eess.
with malice towards none, with char
ity for all, with firmness in the right as
God gives us to see the right let us face
our present opportunities, drawing from
the past only such influences as tend to
stimulate our energies, enlarge the
noblest qualities of our nature, increase
our patriotism and excite our love for the
great cause of humanity.
Because our surroundings are not as
we would have them; because rights
which we would enjoy are denied us; be-
cause antagonsm which we deem unjust
and oppressive are found in our pathway,
we must not underestimate our present
opportunities and allow them to pass to
other hands that will seize them with
greater avidity and use them to better
results. No individual, no people can ever
attain success OF command greatness by
morbid reflections upon the disadvantages
| of their surroundings.
Here the labor markets fling wide
their doors and extend a cordial welcome
to our braWny muscles; here we have rea-
Sonable compensation for our services:
here our preachers, teachers doctors and
scholars find inviting fields in which to
chase the coy maiden of success and win
the laurels OF fame; here for the most
part We have the sympathy, support and
experience OF our white neighbors, who
generally speaking, are pleased to see a
prosperous, industrious and reliable ne
gro; here We are educating our children,
pursuing our work and making the diff
culties OF our yesterdays the stepping.
stones OF our tomorrows. Nowhere are
the negro laborers more desired than here:
nowhere do prejudice and trade unions
oPSAueS 1893 " HdIHpeI negro skill ana en-
terprise. Acres Of North Carolina S richest
SOIL are offering splendid harvest to skill
fuI and industrious negro farmers, and the
seasons make no discrimination as to
race, color or creed the markets gladly
receive the corn, cotton and tobacco of
negro farmers, and in fixing the prices
OF such produce, no question is asked as
to whose brain directed the rotation of
the crop, or as to the color of the hand
that guided the plough. Carpenters
brick layers, cooks, and mechanics of
every description are in demand. and ii IS