The American eagle., 1905-12-17

national conscience, and until that is
reached we are but scratching on the
surface
1t is not in bitterness that l speak
now specifically Of the south, because
the entire nation has been afflicted by
slavery, and are involved in this race
question. And l ought to say here
that all the way down the line the
north in it's way, was quite as guilty
before God as the south in it's way,
regarding the black brother in this
country
1t is common thing at the south
to-day, and alarmingly on the in
crease, for Negroes to be forced to sell
their property at sacrifice and at a
moments notice to leave town, and
for no other reason than mildly peace
ably protesting against the fraud and
tyranny of the whites. On account of
the prevailing sentiment and discrim-
mating laws, the lower elements Of the
whites can not stand to see the Ne
8
self-respecting Negroes who move and
are exciting the suspicion, envy and
hostility of a large class of whites of
the south. But | am glad all the
whites in that section are not alike
Some of the finest and most generous
men and women of the other race that
you can find anywhere are living at
the south, who believe in the father
hood of God and the brotherhood of
man, because they honestly believe in
the teachings of Jesus Christ, but these
are under tremendous pressure. They
need to be strengthened and helped by
creating a healthy sentiment from the
outside.
What is most needed in this land of
ours is a sentiment Of justice deepened,
and the operation of the golden rule.
The Negro himself must help to make
that sentiment in every peaceable, but
manly uncOmpromising way.
Negro Self-HeIp.
This self-help, of course, must first
of all be practical. Pity the Negro
who appeals for his rights when his
character is besotted and vicious. You
may be poor and unlettered, but you
can be honest, Industrious, manly,
true to God, an rp-looker, loving all
mankind. Even though the men OF
the other race may scorn and Cypress
you, it is your duty as Christian to
love them, but never fail to show them
their wrong and accountability to God.
You, my brethren, must see to it, that
you do to others is you would have
others do to you.
But no man should give himself to
money getting so exclusively as to be
Indifferent to his inalienable rights,
hoping some how they will come to
him, and place emphasis upon rights,
because Of what their appreciation and
possession implies cf justice, Of peace,
of patriotism, and of security under
equitable laws. If by being silent, we
condone a false theory Of man, or of
society, or of the state, we not only
victimiZe ourselves and children but
we darken the future of all other men.
II U6uONGS GNSly OLI lolIdll. CfCIy
patriot, every man without regard to
race. color creed or section, who fears
God and loves mankind and country
TO speak out plainly. not in bitterness,
and try to make sentiment in the right
direction, for as nation we are drift
ing away from Righteousness, and the
principles which make for national
security. 1t is either Christ or Barab-
| baS. ! fear we are chOSing BarabbaS.
Let us all stand together and forget
our color and race and previous rela-
tionships and try to check lawless
ness and violence, and redeem and re-
strain the vicious elements of all races.
Using great plainness of speech, I
would say that the most dangerous
| feature of the race situation at the
south, is the press and pulpit, quite
universally are silent ON this vital hu-
man question. The indictment is also
too true Of the press and pulpit at the
north.
Do they dare to speak out? 1t
means a loss of caste and of living
and bitterest persecution, to express
other than the conventional southern
views on the Negro question. For
this reason the lower ranks of society
at the south, with whom the trouble
really lies, can not be reached by the
truth which comes from honest, free
discussion. The man, who is popular
and lionized in that section is the one
who traduces the Negroes and exalts
Anglo-Saxionism. But it is infinitely
better tc suffer for witnessing to the
truth, than from failure to do SO. In
either case it means suffering, and i.
it is suffering at all, why not suffer
to win a crown of righteousness?
When Garrison was criticised for
speaking out boldly and calling the
master class the wickedest of the
wicked, he said:
Il will be as harsh as truth and as
uncompromising as justice. On this
subject do not wish 20 think or write
or speak with moderation. | am in