The broad ax., 1914-01-10
has the Negro Con-
tributed to the World
for the Advancement of
Civilization?
CURTIS QUINN CHAPEL
ANNUAL CONTEST RECENTLY HELD IN


I special studies in philosophy which
called forth words Of highest commend.
alton from the learned men of his day.
He was a linguist of ability and was
well versed in astronomy. About the
same period, Godfrey L'Islet was a
scientist, geogTapher and arehaeologist
Of international renOwn and world wide
fame. Quassy, a native African, dis
covered a drug called quassia, used as
a remedy for fever. From this drug
comes quinine, the universal cure for
fever and malaria. Scarcely an indi-
vidual exists today who has not heard
of, or used this great contribution to
Ieivilization.
Chicago should be proud Of the fact
that one of our own citizens has made
most wonderful contribution to civ
ilization's advancement. DR.. Daniel
Hale Williams, founder of Provident
Hospital, was the first surgeon to oper-
ate upon the living heart of a man
who had been stabbed and left for
dead. The man is living today. This
operation performed in 1898, is still
considered one of the most wonderful
feats of modern surgery. As founder
of Provident Hospital, DR.. Williams
services to mankind here, are unique
in that he first gave training to Negro
girls. Until that time, only an oecas-
ional Colored girl could be received in
any of the hospitals of Chicago. Since
then, hundreds have been graduated
from Provident and they now minister
to the sick in every section Of this
country and save the lives of countless
human beings. Provident Hospitals
example has been followed by fourteen
others throughout the country. If a
benefaetor is one who makes two
blades of grass where one only grew
before, then indeed the man who in
spired fifteen hospitals where none
were before, has made wonderful con-
tribution to civilization.
In the world of art, Henry D. Tan
ner, leading artist Of Paris, has pic
lures in the galleries of the Louvre, as
well as in the homes Of the eonnois- |
seurs of art. His distinct contribution
has been the beautiful portrayal of
biblical subjects. Not since the days
of Raphael, Michael Angelo and other
old Italian masters has any painter so
illuminated Bible characters and scenes |
with the painters brush, as has Henry
Tanner. As one admires the "Annun-
citation, F" "The Holy Family, - " Christ
Walking on the Water" and "The
Hiding of Moses" one understands
that Tanners gift to civilization has
been a deeper reverence for sacred
things.
Literature has always been one of
the most potent forces in developing
the civilization of the world. The
spoken word is listened to by a few
hundreds or thousands. The written
word reaches the nations of the world.
The literature of some Of the greatest
European nations has been enriched by
from writer's Of Negro
descent. Terence, the illustrious Latin
poet, had Negro blood eoursing through
his veins. Aesop's Fables have fur
nished philosophy, wit and instruction
for centuries, and to this day are quoted
in the literature Of the world and
taught children in the schools. He
was Negro slave who became the
peer Of Greek philosophers and made
this mighty contribution to the progress
of civilization. Alexander Pouskin is
held in veneration by Russia as is
by the English. When the
one hundredth anniversary Of his birth
was celebrated in Russia decade ago,
busts Of Pouskin were made and the }
Landed his name in song
and story for his magnificent contrib
ltions to the literature of the country.
One Of the greatest writers Of the
nineteenth century was the brilliant
Novelist, Alexander Dumas, who wrote
200 volumes. Both father and son I
we're literary geniuses Of the first mag ?
litude. The play "CamiIe" alone,
which has touched the hearts Of the
civilized world, and over which count
ess thousands have wept, was written d
y this son Of African descent. "
Paul Laurence Dunbar's verse in
he Negro dialect was his distinct con- a
BE gave our civilization to n
ZEE and understand the true rythm and
'eauty Of humble Negro character at :,
Is best. BE has done for the Negro /.
That Robert Burns did for the humble !,
'eOttish folks. George W. wiTliams' ),
contribution to the advance Of efviliza- i
ion, like that Of Blydsn, was to give Il
uthentie information to the world %
bout those Of whom little is known. b