Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1916-06-16
AFRO-AMER|CAN CULL|NGS

In an address delivered before the
|. graduating class of the night oolored
high school at Houston. Tex. Prof.
!. NJ. Terrell said in part:
The fact that the city of Houston
makes appropriations for the mainte-
nance of a colored night school GER
tainly has a Significance which por-
tends good for the future relationship
of the race In this city. 1t further
goes to show that the tendency OF
the governing element Is toward a
greater and greater care and interest
in all of its citizens. Houston has
learned the lesson that its perma-
nenee aud growth, Ike that of any city,
rest in the highest Intelligence and de-
velopment of all It's people And II
is gratifying 10 note that its public
officials as we'll as its press are show.
ing such broad spirit in their atti-
tude with respect to its colored con
stituency.
1T makes my heart glad to witness
this response which my people are
giving to the opportunities afforded
them in the night school As the
Post editorial SO masnanimously said
recently, the white people OF Houston
can no more get along and do not
want 10 get along without the Negro
than the Negro without the white peo-
pie.
While this is true. I want to warn
you that we are less able to get along
without them than they without US
And It Is to our interest to make
ourselves more and more lndispensa-
bic by increasing our usefulness.
Nothing Is necessary but what Is OF
use and value to the development and
progress Of world civilization. And
the consciousness of this fact should
serve TO inspire us to greater useful.
ness both 70 ourselves and 10 the pub
lie generally. This graduating class
should be an inspiration to the whole
Negro population not only IN Houston
but Texas. These men and women
realized the possible increase OF
their value 20 themselves and &c the
city by systematic training Of their
minds and hands and they have had
tho amBifion and will to apply them.
selves IN order to secure It.
AS o constituent OF society. In an
economic way. each individual owes
Il 20 that society to become Just as
great an asset as is within his ca.
paclty TO be. and the man or won.
an who Is unseifish enough to study
his relations and duties 20 the society
IN which he lives. and seeks to adj
Just himself Herewith In such a way as
will promote tho highest good OF all.
lssthe most useful and Is bound to Sc
cure the good viii and praise of that
. society This statement has a sub
No meaning and IL Ia for you to
work OUT that meaning. might On
large upon II somewhat By saying that
the Individual who would be satisfied
with q thing. whatever II was. upon
the sbie condition that II suited him,
Hstl1eat regard TO how ii affected the
rest OF humanity. Is an unfit and I'M.
desirable citizen. This applies alike
10 ali men OF all stations, every
where. ..
4 am glad that we have some among
ia, ,as represented by the % persons
who haye come up through the courses
OF the night school to the point where
they are permitted TO sit before US
to graduate, who have been broad
enough IN their vision 10 see that their
duty Is not 20 themselves alone. and
that although they have met with
obstacles and had difficulties 10 sur,
mount they have been willing 10 make
the sacrifice IN order 10 make OF
themselves more useful citizens. And
~~-~-~-~-~<~-~~.~~~-~ ~-~>~~>~-~~~~~~~~>~-~
bishop Isaiah BENJAMIN Scott, the