The Topeka state journal., 1916-09-23
Person or Group Must ReeOg-
niZe Inward Factors.
Consider Things. From Every
Angle To Be Successful.
MUST SURMOUNT OBSTACLES
Negroes Confined to Work Re-
quiring Little Training.
Organized Effort and Self Sac
rifice Are Only Means.
RY REV. GEO G. WALKER.

BY REV. GEO G. WALKER.
There are certain things for which
persons and groups are responsible re-
gardless of outward environment. 1t
is of course true that a persons or
groups ability to produce in character
and ambition such an attitude as will
make for progress is somewhat inf1u-
enced by outward pressure. yet, in the
last analysis, progress is only possible
when the things which are in our own
hands are we'll conceived, and when
we put forth effort to make them
come to pass. There is no easiest
way in the line of progress. Advance
ment is made in opposition to hostile
limitations. Persons or groups or peo-
Piles who have accomplished things
worth while have done so by OVercom-
ing obstacles, by sweat and effort by
toll and pain, by triumphing over ig-
norance, superstition, caste and all the
other things which hinder men in the
struggle for enlightenment.
In order to make any headway, a
person or group must become self
critical. Have existing opportunities
been advantag ageously used? Has the
knowledge already possessed been ap-
piled as adequately as possible2 Is
the situation as clearly conceived as is
reasonable to expect? Does the result
of this conceiving intelligently actu
ate conduct and method? These and
similar questions must be asked and
answered in a critical spirit. Such
criticism must be uncompromising,
candid and constructive. Such criti-
eism will not always consist in find
; ing fault. 1t will consider the progress
made. the needs and obligations, the
things done and undone, and all from
the standpoint of circumstances, re-
sponsibility and opposition.
Needs Same Things as Others.
The colored American must realize
ever more and more clearly, just what
every other group, which hopes to
make real advancement. must realize;
and that is that the factors of enlight-
enment must enter into his life to the
same extent, degree and appreciation
as they have entered into the life of
Progressive people. The colored
American needs just what every one
else needs He needs them in the
same kinds degrees and proportions.
Not only so; but he needs to put forth,
ever more and more, the same or sim
liar efforts as have been put forth by
people who have done things of last
ing value. Results follow efforts, and
are no greater than the efforts make
Possible. And another thing: respon-
sfbility is not dispelled because it is not
made effective.
In self-criticism. one must be dare
ful that responsibility be not misplace
ed. There are things of value in hu-
man progress for which a group must
accept responsibility. Environment
cannot dominate hope, ambition, char
acter, knowledge and whatever else
may originate in the hearts and minds
of people. OF course these things may
be less or more adequately conceived
as the group. considered as such. has
been influenced internally by external
conditions But even then, it is never
true that the group is unable to work
to itG I've
along the lines just mentioned. AS the
group endeavors to work out it's SAL
walton along these lines. it becomes
ever more able to successfully accom-
plish the things attempted In the last
analysis, and at the end of any proc
ess. the mind and heart are masters
of themselves.
Prejudice Still Rampant.
Once again: the colored American
must be ever mindful of the fact that
preciated, help mould environment 9s
AFFECTING himself as well as affecting
the general community. We know of
course that the specter of prejudice is
generally stalking about; but its Wis
ability may be reduced by the efforts
of the colored American. No grouI,
ever rose without self-effort Self
development is the force of progress,
Men who wish to change their condi-
tlon scarcely wait for it to change by
the labor of unpropitious outward
ness. Later on we shall speak of
some of the things the coIored Amer
lear has done. What he has accom- :
plished in fifty years is truly marvel
GUS But he must not rest content
with what has been achieved. There
Is no rest in development. A continual
striving is the method of making
good. The eternal value in progress
is progress itself Achievement, at
any time, is but the entelechy of the
spirit of enlightenment
IF
we wish to make of them A home
does not consist of a fine and we'll
appointed house, but in spirit of
earnest endeavor to make it the ori-
gin and foundation of training in the
highest ideals of character and self
control. Parents who know this can
net be excused for not making it the
supreme object of their lives. Thirty
years hence, the group will be just
what those who are now children
shall become. All groups and peoples
understand this.
Not only is il the absolute duty of
parents to see to it that the children
are vigorously trained in high charac-
ter and self-control, but they must
alsc see to it that, at any sacrifice.
the children are sent to school and
kept there as long as possible Next
to character and self-control, knowl-
edge is the greatest thing in the
world Never mind about the oppor-
tunity for the children using their ed
ucation when they shall have grown
up. Education is value in itself
Disciplined minds and hearts and
hands are of supreme worth by them
selves considered.
Mostly Common Labor.
gIndustry is one of the fundamental
factors in any groups self-develop-
Inent OF course, in this field, the
colored American is largely confined
to certain kinds of work which do
not call for much training. But never
theleSS a trained mar is better than
an unframed one in any situation.
Work is one of the great life-forces.
Iaziness must never characterize any
individual or group. If lazinesS does