Franklin's paper the statesman., 1911-06-17
NEGRO SOCIETY OF
HISTORICAL RESEARCH.


There has been no period in the
history of the American Negro In
which there has been manifested by
tha, race spch marked interest IL
self. its patt and present achieve
ments and its future place among
other races of the world now. The
environments of the Negro have not
been and are not at all conducive TO
the stimulation OF pride in itself. TAX
en- by force from his native country
and enslaved in other lands, the Ne
gro. for nearly three hundred years.
heard nothing from neither sacred
nor profane historian but that which
justified the kidnapper and put the
stamp of righteousness upon his en-
slavement Since the emancipation
of the race II has been constantly re
minded of its debt of gratitude to its
deliverers as though they themselves
were not the Negroes oppressors In
sense that they had profitcd by the
slave traffic: that they were not
guided 10 the act by consciousness
of their own guilt and desire 10
atone for the sins OF their own race.
The Negro has been and is still con
stantly reminded of his own helpless
ness and insignificance as compared
with other races: that he Is AN I'M
worthy sharer of what other races
have achieved. When the black baoy
opens It's eyes in the majority OF In
stances It gazes into the face OF
white physician and sees only. the
pictures of white people upon the
walls OF the bed chamber. When the
child goes to school II learns its les
sons from books written by white
authors only which, II they teach any
thing OF him, 1t is to remind him OF
his inferiority and dependence.
The child is taught that its race
hos been fit only for slaves carried
Pom place to place. having no part
In the worlds civilization. In the col
leges the young man and woman
learns the same. experiences the
same Nothing is taught that Will
awaken and stimulate pride in the
breasts OF the Negro pupil in his
own race. That the civilization OF
the world began in Africa Is not con-
ceded: That the Greeks went down
into Egypt to school when Athens
was a mere provine Is never ac-
knowledged. No credit is given to
the black race for the past glory and
greatness of Ethiopia and Egypt. The
Sphinx, gazing silently out upon the
sands OF the desert. tells OF the glory
and grandeur OF some white race now
extinct. Upon what the Negro has
done 10 assist in the shaping of the
destinies OF the American nation
history is silent. That he strobe side
by side with the pioneers as west
ward they blazed their way: that he
titled the fields and made the bread
to feed the soldiers OF the Continental
army and on the battle field bravely
to be found the full account of the
gave up his life for the cause OF
American Independence is not dwelt
upon at any length by the chronicler.
IGvSthe archives at Washington are
to be found the full account OF the
Negro's deeds in the war OF 81; of
the gallant charge at Fort Wagner.
the sacrifice of Fort Pillow, the reck-
less rush upon the ramparts OF Port
Hudson, the final dislodging OF the
rebels from their stronghold Mt New
market Heights after the repeated
but futile attempts to do SO by white
troops and their unsupported charge
and butchery at the Crater has never
been fully and honestly told unto the
student.
What the Negro race has contrib
uted to the world in valor. In the
arts and sciences and literature the
Negro himself. as a matter. Of course.
knows but little. The news that the
first prize for oratory was won by
Negro boy at Columbia few days
aro. and but a few years ago the
same thing was done by Hottentot