The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-04-14
HOLDER BLoCK-oFFIcE BUILDING

ton, and it is the white mans burden
that he might as well shoulder anC
discharge his duty to his God and tt
his fellow man. 1t rests most heavily
on the people of the south, because
this is the home of the negro, and we
are his people. Be it so, but through
the grace of God, the strength and
wisdom of the Christian men and wo
men of the south has been and will
be all sufficient for the performance
of this herculean task, and that, too
in the very teeth of outside interior.
ence, and many hindering obstacles.
There are certain conditions that
we do know will cOnduce to good re-
suits, and we must prudently seek out
those conditions and apply them and
keep guard on the Watch-tOwer at all
times Even in the short period of
time, certainly the most trying of any,
we can, with great satisfaction, report
progress, and ask patient indulgence
in the performance of this great task.
We are not ashamed of the progress
of the negro Under the trying con-
ditions it has been satisfactory and
most encouraging, and this GOd-fear-
ing, Outstanding mission spirit of
the Caucasian race are fit implements
in the hands of God for the accom-
plishment of this good will toward
them The progress we have made
has only been possible from the. fact
that the Christian denominations of
the south have from the first recog-
nized an obligation upon them to give
the gospel of Christ to the black peo-
pie among them. The negro must be
educated; he must be made intelli-
gent in order to be made a fit asSO-
ciate in any capacity | would rath-
er have an intelligent servant than
an ignorant one. | would rather have
an intelligent animal than an ignorant
one. Our duty commands us to pro-
vide ways and means for his uplift-
ing. AS honest men we must admit
that his advancement is the better
ment of the white peoples condition.
If we leave him alone, neglected and
unattended, he will grow in vicious
ness, vice and corruption.
Judge Bullock said that we must
look to the negro to work out his own
salvation. To you young men and
women, who have had the advantag-
es of this magnificent school plant,
with its school influences, it's moral
standard under the direction of the
IGNORED. respected, loved and worthy
principal. Jos. L. Wiley, who has so
magnificently manifested the faith
that is in him by his works, and such
kindred institutions. the negroes of
this country must look for leadership
counsel and guidance You have quail
fled yourself TO teach, to lead, to be
an example. and thereby you have in
creased your responsibility to civ
ilized world. and particularly TO the
negro race. When YOU have finished
Your course here. your more important
task has just begun. The spirit that
had its abode in the heart of that
great benefactor of the negroes OF
Marion county. and for whose mem
DRY especially are we assembled to-
day. TO pay a tribute of respect and
10 unveil a monument testifying to
our devotion, love and esteem. this
tender plant that was set by his love
for mankind must be vigilantly tend
ed by your activity, nourished by your
loving affections, pruned of all vi
cious hindrances by Christian hands,
and you must do it,
1t is with profound satisfaction that
I come today to felicitate with you. l
want to extend to you the hand of
cheer, comfort and sympathy. l know
your burden, and share your respon-
sibility. l adjure you, in the name
of the negro race, all that tends to the
uplifting of humanity, as you go from
the portals of this institution of in
struction, that you will carry its in
fiuence and teachings as they now
exist to your race. and that you may
be a living testimony thereof.
testify to you the truth, said the
Judge, that the negroes receive a fair
trial in the courts of this state. am
not unmindful of the fact that there
are instances in which the most