The broad ax., 1907-01-19

away ih tilS ldll Oi loO4- DSCdlllC INC
most intelligent and the most distin-
| euished Negro in the United States.
for he was known favorably on two con-
tinents. He spoke four or FIVE differ
ent languages. He assisted the corr
,missioners to survey and lay out the
District Of Columbia He has the dis
tinction OF being the first Negro to dine
with President Thomas Jefferson
I in the White House
In 1901 that great Democratic states
man received the following letter from
Benjamin Banneker:
Maryland, Baltimore County,
August 10, I7oI
Sir Il am fully sensible of the great
ness OF the freedom | take with YOU on
the prcsant occasion. a liberty which
seemed scarcely allowable when | re-
fleet on :he distinguished and dignifed
station III which you stand. and the
almost general prejudice which is so
prevaelnt in the world against those
of my race complexion.
1T is truth too we'll attested to need
a proof here. that we are a race of be-
ingS who have long labored under the
abuse and cenSure of the world; that
we have long been looked upon with
an eye of contempt. and considered
rather - .IutiSh than hul,Ih. and
scarcely canaLle of mental eciowmentS.
Il hope | may safely admit, in con-
sequence of the report which has
reached me, that you are a man far
IGss inhe;,ible in sentiments of ~ nat
tu-c than ni!nv Cthers. that you are
measurably friendly towards us; and
that you are willing to lend your aid
and assistance for our relief from those
many distresSeS, and numerous calami-
ties TO which we are reduced
IF this is founded in truth. | appre-
bend you will embrace every opportun-
lily TO eradicate that train of absurd
and false ideas and opinions which so
generally prevail with respect to us.
and that your sentiments are concur
rent with mine. which are that one
universal Father hath given being to us
all; that He hath not only made us
all of one flesh, but that He hath also
without partiality, afforded us all the
same sensations, and endowed us
all with the same faculties, and that
however variable we may be in society
or religion: however diversified in sit
uation or in colour, we are all of the
same family. and stand in the same re-
latiOn to Him.
IF these are sentiments of which
you are fully persuaded. you cannot but
acknowledge that it is the indispensable
duty of those who maintain for them
selves the rights of human nature, and
who profess the obligations of Chris
tianity to extend their powers and in
fiuence to the relief of every part of
the human race, from whatever burden
or oppression they may unjustly labor
under, and this / apprehend, full con-
viction of the truth and obligation of
these principles should lead all to.
i have long been convinced that if |
you have for yourselves and for those
nestimable laws which preserved to you
the rights OF human nature, was found
ed on sincerity, you could not but be
solicitous that every individual of what
ever rank or distinction, might with
you equally enjoy the blessings thereof;
neither could rest satisfied short of the
most active effusion of your exertions
IN order to their promotion from any
state of degradation to which the I'M
Justihable cruelty and barbarism of
men may have reduced them.
Il freely and cheerfully acknowledge
that | am of the African race and in
that color which is natural to them of
the deepest dye, and it is under a sense
OF the most profound gratitude to the
Supreme Ruler of the Universe, that l
now confess to you that am not I'M
der that state of tyrannical thraldom
and human captivity to which too many
OF my brethren are doomed, but that
l have abundantly tasted of the frui-
ton of those blessings which proceed
from that free and unequalled liberty
with which you are favored; and which
1 hope you will willingly allow you
have mercifully received from the i'm
mediate hand of that Being from whom
proceedeth every good and perfect gift
Suffer me to recall to your mind that
time in which the arms of the British
crown were exerted, with every power
full effort in order to reduce you to
state of servitude. Look back, l en-
treat you, on the variety of dangers to
which you were exposed; reflect on
that period in which every human aid