The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1905-12-30

is not that of Frederick Douglass II
is the voice of one crying in the will.
derness. but it is not rebuking Herod
for his sins. This is evidenced by the
fact that this Baptist is not clothed
in camel's hair, but of fine linen.
DOS not fare on locusts and wild
hDney. but is banque,ed and invited
to recline upon Herod's downy couch
es instead Of rOtting in the dungeons
of Machaerus. The people intuitively
recognize n man when he speaks.
l must notice another characteristic
OF Frederick Douglass that greatly in
fuenced me. viz, his mo1esty and SIM
plicity. There was nothing of the
swashbuckle knight about this man.
He was conscious of his strength,
and felt no need of impressing others
with it by cOnceitedness. He knew
that it was of itself sufficient to be
known and recognized. His books and
speeches show the cause rather than
the man. The capital Is are as few
as language will permit. His speech
and bearing alike are indicative OF a
modesty and simplicity worthy Of our
imitation.
The wOuld-be leaders of to-day seem
always fearful that some one will
overlook their presence while the
presence of Frederick Douglass was
felt Then we have many who,
though loud and conspicuous among
US. become like lambs in leading
strings when in the presence or en-
ploy of the dominant race, always
cursing somebody at the safe distance
Of the barn door. I believe those best
acquainted with Frederick Douglass
will bear me out that his bearing and
conduct were marked with the same
consideration and Difference to his
race-brothers that distinguished his
whole life under all circumstances
and among all races and classes.
Next to real manliness no acquisition
would more lastingly benefit US at
this stage of our development than
that OF modesty. Not subservance.
not cowardice, not the manners Of the
lackey or lick-spittle. but a quiet dig
nifty that while insisting upon our own
rights is quick to recognize and con-
cede the rights of others. A gentle
man told me recently that, during one
Of his last speeches. Mr.. Douglass
said he would be able to concede
without reserve the further progress
of the colored people when they
made less noise Noise is a feat
ure Of savagery and barbarism. and
to-day, in Europe, the highest excel
lence OF culture and civilization in
polite society is discerned in that quiet
modest dignity of bearing, converse
ton and conduct that distinguishes
the most favored arstOcrats Of the
old world monarchies. The American
people are complaining bitterly about
our braggadocia. noise and buster
and not without some cause. We live
in the exaggeration Of things. We use
the biggest words obtainable to ex-
press the smaller thoughts, and yet
for English, pure simple, modest and
correct we cannot do better than per-
use the writing Of such men as Alex
ander Crummell and Frederick Doug
lass. This falling Of ours as people
not only brings US in disfayor with
the whole people. but binders our ad-
vance in the right direction. The
knowit-all in the school, college, or
the competitive struggle Of life cannot
acquire more knowledge because, be-
lieving that he knows It all. he Is
unwilling to be informed. The strong
est manifest man Is invariably the
most modest, considerate and compan-
ionable. would beseech our boys
and girls, our young men and women,
not only to copy the manliness OF
Douglass, but acquire his modesty and
simplicity. We are not all the great
est lawyers, preachers. doctors and