The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-04-21
HAMPTON STUDENT.
ON CITIZENSHIP.
ThOmasson Discusses Value Of
Full Manhood Rights.
LESSONS FROM The GREEKS

Senior Class Member at virslnia's
Great Agricultural and Industrial
School 10 Well Informed on PrInoi-
plss Of Dsmoeraey--Indian Citizen
chip Day Exercises.
The Dawes bill for the Indian and the
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments for
the Negro-opened to these two races the
doors Of American citizenship. Both
races had, since the early days Of this
country, suffered grievously at the hand
Of the dominant white man-Negroes as
slaves; Indians though not as slaves yet
a. victims of bitter oppression that
promised naught but abasement Finally
liberty came to Negro and to Indian and
We properly rejoice together that such q
wondrous boon should have come.
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 It. 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 eff
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 peo-
pie that most forcibly strikes US Is the
high standard Of intelligence. Of its indi-
vidual citizens To every man was given
Q voice In the government, and 1t was the
aim Of the race that every man alike
should be able to hear understandingly
ana 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
| nsnt achievements Of the Creeks were
largely due.
Education 10 the Surest Foundation.
We bslieve that one great need-aye. the
fundamental need-of the Indian and Ne
gro peoples Is a higher intelligence among
the common people. While education is
not Of itself a universal solvent it Is the
snrest foundation upon which depends the
efficacy Of all other agencies. The value
Of education in fitting for efficient citi-
zenship Is not generally appreciated among
i u
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 q Greek was to be kinsman Of the
gods. They had a wondrous confidence In
han alN pnvrA1 hot fhaxy rnnll6
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 Plsa For More Confidence.
And 20 must we work in confidence.
Our citizenship was granted us but yes
| terday. Men await with scofings 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 II
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
him q subject race Let the memory OF
our past accomplishments 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 the
| Greeks for the Indian and Negro races.
however, IL their failure to preserve ma
| tional integrity. Gifted and brilliant as
| they were in things artistic, skilled as
| they were in statecraft and valiant as
| 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 dissensions.
Urges. Citizenship For the Masses.
Our races, 1t is true. are not seeking
| eminence as nations, as was the Greek
| race. but to develop In our masses citi-
zenship that will contribute worthily to
| the welfare Of our common country. In
realizing this aim We face tremendous
| ifflculties-difficulties the overcoming OF
which will require every ounce Of the
| united energies Of all our people. Per-
, sonal 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 godspeed. fellow stucents.
in the lives that are before you. May you
| consider your citizenship not merely
| privilege nor even a 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 valiantly fought
and died. May you show to the world
that the Indian. considered backward. is
Just an capable Of efficient citizenship as
| any race And the Negro, your brother
| In oppression. will tread q like path