The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-11-22

(Thc following very excellent pl
duction was prepared by member
the Citizens Improvement League
organization OF colored people OF Fai
mont and 1t is well worthy Of a yer.
careful reading-Ed.) -
From the earliest period Of the
worlds civilization down to the pres.
ent time. mankind has been confront.
ed by perPIexIpg problems socially
and internationally. Z Questions that
are so deep and intricate. that the
destiny Of nation or nations may be
involved. Indeed nations have been
created and eliminated by the mis-.
takes made in the solving OF these
great questions. For example, Eng.
lands great Industrial growth has gone
on steadily from the day when Crom-
we'll was wise enough to overthrow
brutality and discrimination. and rec.
ognlzing merit and power. brought
back the Jews to England,
Spain from the richest and gran |,
est nation in the world, sank gradual.
ly 10 It's present state of decay, by
Its various forms OF brutality, begin.
ming with the killing OF Jews. the drIr-
Ing out Of other intelligent resourcetul
man aud ending with her downfall In
Cuba.
Russia from the most powerful Ell
iopean nattonznow stands tatterins
and crumbling. a wrecked power due
to oppression and persecution OF her
subjects. And thus we might go on
and mention several nations and races.
which have riser ir fallen by taking
the eawrong course in civilization anil
tffe solution Of great problems.
gETnus to4iaf f=ouTs county I'D tconfrons-
ed by a great problem with Ecivlllza-
ton; wealth and power on the one side,
and a weak and struggling race on
the other. We are standing on the
vortex OF national chasm, the life Of
nation or o race is involved.
It has been said and rightly so that
mo nation can exist within nation,p
hence the future destiny Of one or
the other hangs in the balance.
We as race must become an in
trirsic part or portion Of the citizen
ship of this great nation or we must
be relegated to a condition Of non.
entities.
The life Of a people or nation Is too
short to waste the time in agitations,
appeals and pleadings. We must be
doers OF the work Of civilization as
well as observers. The same divinity
that decreed that Ethiopia shall yet
stretch forth her hand" also com.
manded BE ye doers Of the work."
The great question should be asked OF
each and every member Of our race,
How can become a factor in this
great American civllizatiin? What
am doing to add to its greatness. its
power. its intellect? And II you have
not accomplished anything towards
that which goes to make the nation
great, then the world Is no better on
for your having lived In It. You are
barrier over which your more aspir.
Ing neighbor must climb to reach the
object sought. But says one, II can.
not do anything. My qualifications
and sphere of life are too SMALL" ani
therein lies one Of the greatest causes
for. the present status Of our race. We
expect to realize the higher places of
lie without having done anything In
the lower. Great events do not alone
make a nation great. It Is the indi.
vidual working collectively. Here u
little, there little, line upon lima.
precept upon precept, example upon
example," until the object is attained.
Heights by great men reached and
kept
Were not attained by sudden flight;
But they while their companions slept,
Were tolling upward in the night"
Are we as race still wrapped In
the arms Of Morpheus? Is 1t not yet
the day? Have we not aroused
BY the clamorous hordes OF climbers.
Of all nationalities as they pass over
US in our slumbers? Look around you
In our community and see men and
women who have passed and gone on
ahead. who probably lie down with you
at sunset. Others who had Jagged be-
hind you have come up and taken your
place In the various occupations: have
crowded you out while you slept, and
ever now are making ready to move on
to higher achievements and yet you
sleep on ;unmindful OF the. future, I'm.
of the past, that positions Of
trust confidence Of the community,