owed not the preaching of the doctrine of human
rights which would have furnished men of the right temper and
proper vision to take charge of the new order of things.

"But we gained much from those times that must not be lost
sight of. We gained our racial awakening, the upward impulse.
This was a supreme need of our country. For, what pen can set
forth what would have been the outcome of a festering carcass
of a dead race within our borders.

"The ballot put into the hands of the gloom enshrouded Negro
sent a thrill of hope into his very bone and marrow, and the
sense of responsibility and the beckoning of the high destiny
of citizenship in a great republic begot such a fever of
progress in the race that the problem is now that of dealing
with the aspirations of the race rather than the more awful
problem of trying to avoid the contaminating odor of a race
dead to higher appeals, sinking and pulling the nation with it.

"And finally upon the question of reconstruction we find that
perpetual disbarment is not visited upon the people of the
mightiest city of the new world, because it has from time to
time made mistakes and put bad men to the fore.

"Moreover, be it remembered that the Negro of to-day is not
restricted to the choice of yesterday. Good men and true
abound in both races in the South, who are now fully equipped
to operate a truly democratic government.

"People of America: We were wrested by you from the savage
wilds and thrown into your mould. Our bodies have been fitted
to your climes, our spirits have been put in tune with yours.
We love your institutions, and if your flag could speak, it
would tell you that it has no fear of the dust when entrusted
to our sable hands.

"The great burdens of your future need the cheer that we can
bring, and your labors in the tropics now dimly foreshadowed,
may put a premium on what we can yield. By the token of our
patriotism and in sight of our willingness to yield all the
blood or brawn or brain necessary for the advancement of our
common country, we simply beg that you cast not away your
ideals, that you do not unsettle the foundations of your
democracy when you come to deal with us.

"Grant unto us equality of citizenship. Fix your standard for a
man! If you choose,