The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1906-09-15
THE AFRo-AMERIcAN ADMoNIsH-
ED TO GRASP THE PASSING
OPPORTUNITIES.


OPPORTUNITIES.
Concluded from page -
ed for the most trivial offense, our
leaders say, Every one must regret
the causes that lead to lynchings,"
and the IaWless mob is encouraged In
IT'S work Of murder and brutality.
There Is but one way for race or
people to command the approval Of
public sentiment and that Is by i'm
pressing that sentiment with its worth
and usefulness.
II the race has merit the World
should know 1t, and we should be
treated accordingly. We should not
hesitate to call attention to the good
qualities of the race. It Is q mistake
to magnify the one vice Of the race.
while there are ninty-nine virtues
standing to its credit. We are the on
ly people who seem to find consoia-
lation in calling the public's atten-
ton to our weaknesses. In this con-
nection 1t is well for US to realize that
the world Is more concerned about
our virtues than our vices. II is the
man who goes with his head erect.
conscious Of his own strength, and de-
termed to succeed in spite OF obsta-
cles and opposition, that impresses
the world with his sterling worth.
1t is always better to recognize the
good in the race and give credit for
it than it is to Iiscredit Its efforts by
adverse criticisms, and, by magnfying
its weakness. We are concerned there
fore in pursuing some course that viii
enable us to impress the public with
the business of our cause ana Tmn
public sentiment in our favor.
/ wish to repeat that the abolition
period is rich in men and women
whose lives and works are highly
worthy OF our commemorative. Suita-
BILE memorials and Anniversaries to
these great men and women will az
ford splendid opportunities for keep
ing their memories fresh in the minds
Of the people. An occasional recital
Of their deeds and sacrifices will not
aiOne influence the public mind and
conscience, but will stimulate the race
to greater and more determined en-
deavor. Our various organizations
should arrange to have a day Get
apart for concentrating the lives
and services of such characters as
Garrison. Phillips, Lincoln, Sumner,
Tourgee, Langston, Douglass, Lundy.
Harriet Beecher Stowe, and many 9TH
ers whose names sapce will not permit
me to mention.
Nor should we fail to note with ev.-
dence Of appreciation the friendly
words and acts Of those among whom
we live. While there are those who
espouse our cause from a keen sense
Of duty, nevertheless It is true, that
aside from the approval of conscience.
the highest compensation for sacrifice
and EFFORT is a knowledge that those
for whom we have labored, appre-
ciate what we have done for them.
Again the race should not wait for
others to nght its battles. When the
race IL assaulted, the Negro should
be heard In his own defense. II Ii a
mistake to depend on some editor
Of one OF the leading papers to come
to our rescue, and then denounce him
II he fails to take mp our cause In
his paper.
Let the race be ever alert IN de-
. tense Of its own cause and In pre-
senting its own claim. II our rights
are worth having, they are worth con-
tending for. II manhood and woman
hood are priceless levels. they are
worth our defending at all times. It
Is In our own power to do much To-
wards stamping out race preju-
dice. In this connection it should be
understood that it Is not the relation
between the races in the South that
most concerns us. The south. Ike
Ephriam il joined to IFS idols. but the
aHfaI blight Of race hatred. discrim-
ination. and Iaviessness should not
be allowed 70. ian On the North. the
East ana the west without some
STRENUOUS short o. the part Of he Ne
SO 70 stop It's Sh3ard kOv.