ntury ago--we would have been now
proportionably benefitted by it.

As an evidence of the degradation to which we have been reduced, we dare
premise, that this chapter will give offence to many, very many, and
why? Because they may say, "He dared to say that the occupation of a
_servant_ is a degradation." It is not necessarily degrading; it would
not be, to one or a few people of a kind; but a _whole race of servants_
are a degradation to that people.

Efforts made by men of qualifications for the toiling and degraded
millions among the whites, neither gives offence to that class, nor is
it taken unkindly by them; but received with manifestations of
gratitude; to know that they are thought to be, equally worthy of, and
entitled to stand on a level with the elevated classes; and they have
only got to be informed of the way to raise themselves, to make the
effort and do so as far as they can. But how different with us. Speak of
our position in society, and it at once gives insult. Though we are
servants; among ourselves we claim to be _ladies_ and _gentlemen_, equal
in standing, and as the popular expression goes, "Just as good as any
body"--and so believing, we make no efforts to raise above the common
level of menials; because the _best_ being in that capacity, all are
content with the position. We cannot at the same time, be domestic and
lady; servant and gentleman. We must be the one or the other. Sad, sad
indeed, is the thought, that hangs drooping in our mind, when
contemplating the picture drawn before us. Young men and women, "we
write these things unto you, because ye are strong," because the writer,
a few years ago, gave unpardonable offence to many of the young people
of Philadelphia and other places, because he dared tell them, that he
thought too much of them, to be content with seeing them the servants of
other people. Surely, she that could be the mistress, would not be the
maid; neither would he that could be the master, be content with being
the servant; then why be offended, when we point out to you, the way
that leads from the menial to the mistress or the master. All this we
seem to reject with fixed determination, repelling with anger, every
effort on the part of our intelligent men and women to elevate us, with
true Israelitish degradation, in reply to any suggestion or proposition
that may be offered, "Who made thee a ruler and judge?"

The writer is no "Public Man," in the sense in which this is