The Colorado statesman., 1912-05-04
AN EDUCATED ZULU SPEAKS

MT. Dube Is a native Zulu, educated
In America, and started some years
ago In South Africa an Industrial
school on somewhat the same lines as
mat OF Tuskegee institute. Mr.. Dube
has made himself to such an extent
The leader of his own people In South
Africa, that he has been chosen the
trst president of the first Interstate
Native congress. His address fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the South African Ma
tive Congress:
1t Is meet that my first word to you
should be one expressive of my high
and heartfelt appreciation of the conf
dence which my countrymen assem-
bled In Boemfontein have thought well
to repose in me, and of my thanks for
this unique honor, all unexpected and
undeserved, which they have thrust
upon me. Not even present at their
gathering (having been unavoidably
debarred that pleasure by pressing
educational and editorial calls at
home), they nevertheless went out Of
their way to seek me out in this re-
the first president of this the first In
terstate Native congress of all South
Africa. For this kind act l now do
thank them and the dignity bestowed
hereby formally accept.
Gentlemen, it seems to me that the
day Of our races renaissance is at
length at hand, indeed 1t would not be
Inappropriate to mark this 8th day OF
January. and in future years so to
commemorate 1t as the red letter day"
of our peoples hopes. as the birthday
Of our existence as political entity
In this new South Africa.
say this New South Africa!" for
the South Africa we see today devel-
oping before US is no more the South
Africa known to our fathers. Yet
none the less will 1t be the home and
native land of our children. And for
them We have to make straight the
path and prepare a comfortable place
in the sum-" Although, as a race we
possess the unique distinction Of being
the first born sons of this great and
beautiful continent; although as a
race we can claim an ancestry more
ancient than almost any round about
us, yet as citizens of the glorious Brit
ish empire, we are the last born chill
dren, just awakening into political life,
born on the 8th day of January. in this
the year of grace 1912.
Yes; politically, newborn babes, we
are still very young and inexperienced
and as such it behooves us to feel our
IL ori1 h.
ing ourselves to walk boldly and up
rightly before all mankind, we must
still be careful ever to seek out the
way where wisdom (not mere senti-
ment or desire) leadeth, treading
softly, ploddingly, along the bright
path illumined by righteousness and
reason-the steep, thorny path, yet
only one that will safely and surely
lead us to our goal, the attainment of
our riehtful inheritance as sons of
Africa and citizens of the South Afri-
can commonwealth.
Many are the difficulties foresec in
our way-enemies without, fierce but
frank; dangers within, undersigned per-
haps, but still more harmful. 1t will
be an uphill fight, but our watchword
shall be ior!"-Onward, high
er; cautiously, ploddingly By dint
of our perseverance. our patience, our
reasonableness, our law-abiding meth
ods and the justice of our demands,
all these obstacles shall be removed
and enemies overcome. We have been
distinguished by the world as a race
of born gentlemen-a truly glorious
title, bestowed on few other people!-
and by the gentlenes of our manners
(poor though we may be, unlettered
and ill-clad) and by the nobility of our
character shall we break down the ad
amantine wall of color prejudice and
force even our enemies to be our ad-
mirers and our friends.
Gentlemen! for better or for worse,
you have selected me to be for the
nonce your president. AS l trust you
will therefore permit me to indicate
the way, and l trow I shall never lead
you astray. For while / shall at all
times endeavor to be a straight goer,
| propose also to be a strong leader
not one dragged by the nose, still less
one pulled by the tail, for as already
said, my war-cry is-Onward! Up
ward into the higher places of civili-
zation and Christianity-no backward
into the slump of darkness, nor down.
ward into the abyss of antiquated tri-
bal systems-our salvation is not
there, but in preparing ourselves to
take an honored place among the ma
tions.
You have asked me to lead, and per-
chance you would ask me now how
l intend to do so. I will show you my
frame of mind and my ideal in two
words-I take for my motto (and |
hope as faithful and dutiful followers.
it will be yours also). Festina lente,
Hasten Slowly; and for my patron
saint | select that great and edifying
man. Booker T. Washington.
7 recognize that the hour is come