ed upon a lie. It is
a lie backed up by the assertion, practically, of nations and of
millions of intelligent persons acting in their individual capacity. It
is, however, none the less a base, malignant falsehood, robbing the
spirit that is cowed and crushed by it of the sweetest possessions of
life. A similar falsehood has established castes in India, and still
another has subjugated woman in many lands, making her a soulless being
and the slave of man.

"If any black man has greater wisdom, strength, and goodness than the
majority of white men, he is higher in the scale of manhood than they.
The real question involved is a comparison of individuals, and not of
races.

"You will remember how Homer, in the Iliad, praises the blameless
Ethiopians, beloved of the gods and dwelling in a wide land that
stretches from the rising to the setting of the sun. The ancient
historians praise them also. Words of commendation of this great
historic people are found in the ancient classics. So far as I can
discover, the prejudice against color is of modern origin.

"I believe that at no very distant day the slaves will be liberated, and
that the Almighty will be the avenger of their wrongs.

"I turn now to consider the second aspect of this subject. When a
colored man is wise enough and courageous enough to embrace the views
which I have presented, he may still be compelled, as a part of his lot
in life, to submit to the assumption that he is inferior. It is hard to
live in this way in the shadow of a great lie, but it is better than to
have the iron enter more deeply into the soul, so as to compel _belief_
of the lie, as is the case with millions of human beings. When the
spirit is enfranchised I can understand that one may lead a very noble
life in cheerfully submitting to the inevitable misfortune. There are a
few colored men who thus recognize the truth, and yet bow to the great
sorrow, which they cannot escape, with noble and manly fortitude. I
confess that I have entertained thoughts of attempting such a life. I
think I could do so if I could see that any great good would be
accomplished by it. But my experience here has taught me that any such
sacrifice is not required of me. I find that it is not to the advantage
of the colored people to be taught at present. They tell me that as they
grow in knowledge their degradation becomes more apparent to them, and
their sufferings greater. They leave the school with the impression t