The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-18


first consideration with the masses of
mankind. DR.. Washington is putting
skill industry and economy into his peo-
pie. By this means he blesses them and
enriches his country. He loves, as we
all do, the southern people; he has no
wish to take from the white man the
government of the land nor to change
his social customs, to say nothing OF
marring the beauty and glory of his race.
He simply strives to put the white mans
best ideals into the negro race, because
he appreciates their power TO make true
men and true citizens
"Race Review.
The reviews of races must all be i'm
perfect because of the lack of connected
data.
l. The negro of America is a mixture
of many raees-such a mixture as has
never been before. He Is a product of
America. He cannot be read in the light
that may be thrown upon any African
tribe or other people in any cline. His
form of human life comes on the worlds
stage for the first time in the worlds
history and comes on here in America,
'tne land of the free, the. home of the
brave"
2. 1t is impossible to show the original
color of man or to trace through the
ages of prehistoric darkness the foot
prints of the great thoughts which
served to produce our present civilization.
We know that the first light that APP
pears is shining in Africa, long before
Israel. Greece and Rome announce their
presence on the earth. 1t rose with the
Hamites We cannot say that when
their germinal visions of greatness began
their birth that the skin of the Hamite
had grown black or that any large num-
Ii.
Hamites, the worlds leaders at that
date. Now the Japhite leads. Let him
lead forever If God and truth shall deem
him worthy But, while he leads. let
him baptize with the spirit of liberty
and hope all who are still behind him
and beneath him. This is the chief mis-
sion of strength.
NEGRO Inferiority."
The fact that we are judged by the
same moral law and civil code, by the
same court and same jury to suffer the
same penalties and that we are appealed
to by God and by man with the same
class of motives, go to prove that in the
matters of obligations and the power to
discern between the right and wrong
no difference is made in our favor.
When we aspire to practice law or med
ieine or to teach school, we find no spe-
cial regulations made especially to suit
our weakness; but the white man and
the black man are measured by the same
questions and conditions.
If 1t is meant. then, that we are OF an
inferior sort of human essence, the facts
named show that neither God nor man
has consented to allow us the advantage
of this claim. The same truth Is ad-
dressed and appeals to white and black
alike.
Our inferiority rests only in our want
of mental development and our want OF
means to improve and perfect our mate
rial conditions. This state of things is
due to the slavery which allowed us no
home life, no school life. no business OPP
portunity. no freedom of thought and
liberty of action, to begin with. We
were brought into liberty In the condition
of the almost drowned man. Manhood
had so long been smothering till 1t was
almost gone. Resuscitating hands or
friends have been many, but too few to
reach and resuscitate the masses In
this half dead state. we have had to
start in the germ the family the school,
the church. the social and business or