intellectual growth. The wisdom of the past has enriched our souls,
kindled our imagination, and deepened our thoughts. We have begun to
look upon the world with new eyes. Our minds have been turned upon
ourselves. We compare ourselves with other races, not as _black_ men,
but as men, and we thirst for knowledge and for individual perfection.
We have learned to reflect and to form conception of right and to
determine our vocation in life. We have learned not to depend entirely
upon public opinion, but also to help make it. We have learned that
self must be overcome. We are studying self and we know by evolution
great improvements have been made mentally, morally and materially. We
believe that man fashioned in God's image and endowed with mental
faculties which are capable of development was not sent into the world
to serve, in order that other men may revel in luxuries and wasteful
living.

History teaches that every victorious race has had its struggles, and
certainly we are no exception. There are great hindrances in our
pathway and unjust prejudice against us. But prejudice is not as great
as it has been, and in the face of opposition we know there is a place
for us. We would dethrone Judge Lynch who stains the ermine of the
bench and invades the halls of justice, but after all, his slaughters
pale into insignificance when compared with those committed by
ignorance and intemperance. Industry and frugality and self-control
have been partly diffused among us, and these irresistible forces will
revolutionize the wrong, destroy the evils and bring the consummation
of our hopes for which we seriously plead. We are learning to think
and by the power of thought we are to take the place in American life
vouchsafed to every American citizen without regard to "race, color or
previous condition of servitude."

Our development has been and must be gradual in order to be permanent.
There has been no spasmodic growth in the oak of the forest. A few
years ago it was only a tiny twig, but silently, imperceptibly, and
daily, it has increased in strength and greatness, until now it stands
forth the giant of the forest with its large and manifold parts
extending far and wide, sheltering the cattle of the hills and the
fowl of the air. We do not demand the commanding position which the
Anglo Saxon occupies by reason of centuries of struggle, but as humble
citizens bringing to the government, which we love and honor, our
tribute we as