The Washington bee., 1907-02-09

comprehend Aside from a faithful
performance of the duties assigned
him, he should maintain an especial
interest in his people.
To no set of men does leadership
bring greater responsibilities than to
the Negro leader. The masses trust
: him implicitly, and for these we
should think and labor.
f., 1t will be a splendid day for the
race when the leaders shall lose sight
of minor differences and agree upon
broader lines which make for the
common good To say that We should
all think alike on public policies is to
argue against nature or to imply a
blind faulty which abject subservi-
ency to one would mean, but that, on
the essentials we should agree, no
one will deny.
In standing for each other We stand
for the race No jealousies nor en-
vies should cause us to withhold from
each other, that which any one de-
serves. AT the same time honest
criticism of ones public acts should
not be mistaken for enmity, for until
time is not men of bold and virile
mentality in their zeal for the accom-
plishment of those things which they
/ think best. will at times seemingly
propagate divergent views with The
One of the most serious causes for
alarm as | see it, is the Incorporate
criticism which at times we heap upon
each other, and the holding up to the
gaze Of the world of the weaknesses
which some of our greatest men, as
we'll as the masses may possess. This
is no argument nor apology for wrong
doing, but is inspired by the feeling
that it is always better to see good
than i'll in ones fellow man. This
principle, making for the betterment
of all mankind, means much, especial
ly to a people whose antecedentS
would invite if not force some imper-
fections.
Unity of purpose and unity of
thought, rather than a ccntrariwise
movement on the part of those who
see the light, will make for sure and
lasting better day
That a race should have opposition
as we'll as an individual indicates
! progress. but shall we cease our eff
forts for progress because OF opposi-
/ ton? Not so-to correct that which
( is of wrong within the race-to EN-
phasize the right and the better things
which the Negro has done is a duty
which we must not neglect
. | believe that large proportion of
the Negro leaders are striving heart
, ilv for that which they conceive to be
best. and hence I do not purposely
take issue with men per Sc, but state
my views as | see he situation.
believe that the wisest statesman
ship will finally conclude that injus-
tice to any of Our citizens IS indeed
harmful to the government, for the
reason that patriotism arising from
intelligent appreciation of the real
greatness of the Republic, is the real
safeguard of the country. Such pa
triotism is best fostered by the pro-
lection and splendid opportunities
which only exact justice can afford.
! The doctrine of self-government
was a new pronouncement in the an
nails of the world. It was protest
against the injustice of centuries
against caste distinction and disre-
gard of law. The remarkable mission
upon which America started at the
outset OF our national career has been
the handspring of the most Phenom-
email success of the greatest Republic
in the worlds history The high and
lofty purpose of carry out this mis-
sion actuated the Fathers.
Governments, as individuals, must
not forget the purposes for which
Providence has created them. Let II
not be said of us that in our efforts TO
secure the things of earth, We neg
lected soul virtues, chief among which
are brotherhood, and due COnSidera-
ton of the rights OF man. We are
commanded to love not the world,
neither the things that are in the
world for the world
passeth away and the lusts thereof
; In this materialistic age it will be
sad for us, if the things OF the soul,
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