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are ignorant of our National history previous to the Civil War. What
they have learned since, has been politics rather than patriotism. They
look upon our nation as two great political parties, each struggling for
the mastery. One they regard as hostile, and the other friendly, to
them. This is the extent of their knowledge of United States history.
Although they have been told that we are a great nation under a
beneficent government, such a fact is difficult for them to comprehend,
since all they see is the by-play of party politicians. They know they
have a right to vote, but how can they respect a government that does
not always and everywhere protect them in the exercise of that right?

A second reason why patriotism is in danger among the colored people:
They are not surrounded by that intensely national spirit which prevails
in other parts of our country. By this, I would not take one iota from
the loyalty and patriotism of the Southern people. The fact cannot be
denied, however, that one in the South hears and reads but little about
the United States of America. Much is written and said about the State,
but little genuine enthusiasm for the whole country is displayed. A
general spirit of distrust of the Federal Government is constantly
coming to the surface. Newspapers and men talk as if they were
constantly afraid the government would overstep its bounds and encroach
upon the rights of the States. The Southern press is ever complaining of
the sectionalism of the North. And when confronted with the necessity of
teaching United States History in the public schools, it rejects the
current school histories. It is not the present object to remark further
upon this than to call attention to the fact that there is a state of
public sentiment which is not productive of warm patriotism. Two years
ago, the writer, while attending an anniversary in a Northern city,
witnessed a scene that will not soon be forgotten. Fifty thousand people
were gathered on a public square, and at a given signal a beautiful new
flag was unfurled, and the band struck up "America." Fifty thousand
voices took up the tune. Men cheered until they were hoarse. One
gray-haired Irishman with tears shouted, "Thank God I live under the
American flag." Such scenes develop patriotism. They are rare in the
South.

In the midst of indifference toward the national government, the colored
race is developing and multiplying, and that so rapidly that it is a