hat
for them ignorance rather than knowledge is the road to happiness. I
cannot deny the truth of their reasoning. If they could be raised above
the sense of degradation from which they suffer, it would be different.
But, apparently, this cannot be done. It is at least impossible in the
few years which can be given to their instruction in the schools now
provided for their education. The prevailing sentiment among them is
against education and in favor of a thoughtless and easy life. They do
not wish to face those fires through which the awakened spirit, crushed
by hopeless oppression, must necessarily pass. Only yesterday a young
man described to me, with thrilling pathos, the anguish of spirit with
which he had felt the fetters tightening upon him as his knowledge
increased.

"I do not feel called upon, therefore, to devote my life to teaching. If
there was hope left in the case, perhaps I might do so. I would labor on
willingly if there were light ahead. But, with millions in slavery and
others as tightly bound down by prejudice as if they were slaves, I see
no encouragement. I think it the wiser course to wait, trusting that
Providence will open a way for a change to come. And this brings me to
the third aspect of this matter, and the last phase of it which I desire
to consider. It seems to me to be my duty and privilege to withdraw from
the unequal contest. The stupendous lie which crushes the mass of the
colored race has not imposed itself upon me, although I have had a
terrible struggle with it that nearly cost me my reason. I am not so
situated as to be compelled to live among those whose very presence
would be a constant shadow, a burden to me and a reproach to my
existence. Fortunately, I am not compelled to accept the great
misfortune and bow to the assumptions of a ruling race. I can retire to
the fastnesses of my native hills and forests, where petty distinctions
fade away in the majestic presence of nature. I am already beginning to
anticipate the change, and instinctively asserting that independence
which I feel. Indeed, I have given offence in several instances. I have
no trouble with solid business-men like Mr. Allen. They have the good
sense and fairness to recognize the fact that a man is a man wherever
you find him. But some people of the fanciful sort, with less brains
than I have, do me the honor to be angry because I do not submit to any
assumptions of superiority on their part. I might be so situ