The Denver star., 1917-04-07
HAMPTON STUDENT
ON CITIZENSHIP
ThomaSSon Discusses Value Of
Full Manhood Rights.
LESSONS FROM THE GREEKS

Great Agricultural and Industrial
School 10 Well Informed on Princ-
pies Of Dsm.~raoy-lndian Citizen
ship Day Exercises.
The Dawes bill for the Indian and the
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments for
doors OF American citizenship. Both
races had, since the early days Of this
country, suffered grievously at the hand
Of tho dominant white man-Negroes as
slaves: Indians. though not as slaves, yet
as victims of bitter oppression that
promised naught but abasement. Finally
liberty came to Negro and to Indian. and
we properly rejoice together that such
wondrous boon should have como.
With these significant words Mau-
rice Ethan Thomasson Of Monticello.
Ark, a senior at the Hampton (Va)
institute, opened his stirring address at
the thirtieth annual Indian citizenship
day exercises recently held in the pres
ence Of over 1900 colored people. He
in part said:
Having now our citizenship, we are re-
solved to make the most Of 1t. Let us
consider briefly one Of the great peoples
of the past and from its story draw some
lessons that may help us to be more eti-
cient citizens. The ancient Greeks. whom
We all know and love. are regarded as
one of the most successful races OF all
time The one characteristic of this peJ-
pie that most forcibly strikes US is the
high standard OF intelligence OF its indi-
vidual citizens. To every man was given
a voice in the government. and 1t was the
aim of the race that every man alike
should be able to hear Understandings
and to Judge wisely In all affairs of the
state In this aim they succeeded won
derfully. and 1t was to this extraordinary
intelligence of the masses that the emil
nent achievements Of the Greeks were
largely due.
Education 10 the Surest Foundation.
70 We believe that one great need-aye the
fundamental need-of the Indian and Ne
gro peoples is a higher intelligence among
.he common people. While education Is
not Of itself universal solvent it IL the
surest foundation upon which depends the
efficacy Of all other agencies. The value
of education in fitting for efficient clti-
zenship is not generally appreciated among
our people. This must be changed. II
high intelligence in the masses should
have proved SO necessary and SO fruitful
in the free, unhampered Greeks. how sure
ly must we, but yesterday given a mans
chance, make the enlightenment Of the
masses the prime aim for which to strive.
Another striking characteristic of the
Greeks was their pride in their race. To
be Greek was to be kinsman of the
gods. They had a wondrous confidence in,
themselves, n confidence that they could
accomplish any end toward which they
might strive. And by this pride and this
confidence they were fired on to better
things. Their attainments in art, science
and military achievements were possible
only because they believed in themselves
Vigorous Plea For More Confidence.
And so must we work in confidence.
Our citizenship was granted US but yes
terday. Men await with scofflngs or with
praise the failure or success that We dis
play. We have done great things. The
NeGro's rise in fifty years Of citizenship
has been marvellous, Then, too, there is
no more fascinating story in all our his
tory than that of the heroic but losing
fight OF the American Indian against an
overwhelming foe that sought to make
our past accomplishment inspire US with
confidence that we can accomplish even
greater things in the future. Let the an
cient pride and confidence Of Greek In
Greek be reproduced today in the pride
and confidence of Negro In Negro and OF
Indian in Indian.
Perhaps the greatest lesson of tho
Greeks for the Indian and Negro races.
however, is their failure to preserve ma
tional integrity. Gifted and brilliant as
they were in things artistic, skilled as
they were in statecraft and valiant
they were In war. they never learned the
value Of working in unity. Unreasonable
jealousies marked their every action.
Hence. weakened by internal strife, 1t
was inevitable that Greece should fall-a
victim OF her own dssens!ons.
Urges Citizenship For the Masses.
Our races. it is true, are not seeking
eminence as nations, as was the Greek
race but to develop in our masses a citi-
zenship that will contribute worthily to
the welfare of our common country. In
realizing this aim we face tremendous
Observation-Disclosures the overcoming Of
which will require every ounce Of the
united energies of all our people Per-
sonnl jealousies and ambitions and petty
tribal rivalries must have no place In our
endeavors for betterment.
Only as we work in the strength of
unity can we make OF our communities
and reservations the ideal exemplars OF
citizenship that we would have them be.
So we bid you godsbeed. fellow students,
In the lives that are before you. May you
consider your citizenship not merely a
privilege nor even n right, but an oppor-
tunity-an opportunity to do your bit in
making of America the land of which the
Pilgrim fathers dreamed, for which the
patriots of '76 and 81 so vaiantly fought
and died. May you show to the world
that the Indian, considered backward. Is
Just as capable of efficient citizenship as
any race. And the Negro. your brother
in oppression. will tread a like path.