ur_ world of intellect. If we
are fortunate enough, to see, of a sudden, a clever mathematician of our
class, a brilliant poet, a youthful, but promising scientist or
philosopher, let us rush forward, and hail his coming with no hesitant
admiration, with no reluctant praise.

It is only thus, gentlemen, that we can bring forth, stimulate, and
uplift all the latent genius, garnered up, in the by-places and
sequestered corners of this neglected Race.

It is only thus we can nullify and break down the conspiracy which would
fain limit and narrow the range of Negro talent in this caste-tainted
country. It is only thus, we can secure that recognition of genius and
scholarship in the republic of letters, which is the rightful
prerogative of every race of men. It is only thus we can spread abroad
and widely disseminate that culture and enlightment which shall permeate
and leaven the entire social and domestic life of our people and so give
that civilization which is the nearest ally of religion.

THE ATTITUDE OF THE AMERICAN MIND TOWARD THE NEGRO INTELLECT.

For the first time in the history of this nation the colored people of
America have undertaken the difficult task, of stimulating and fostering
the genius of their race as a distinct and definite purpose. Other and
many gatherings have been made, during our own two and a half centuries'
residence on this continent, for educational purposes; but ours is the
first which endeavors to rise up to the plane of culture.

For my own part I have no misgivings either with respect to the
legitimacy, the timeliness, or the prospective success of our venture.
The race in the brief period of a generation, has been so fruitful in
intellectual product, that the time has come for a coalescence of
powers, and for reciprocity alike in effort and appreciation. I
congratulate you, therefore, on this your first anniversary. To me it
is, I confess, a matter of rejoicing that we have, as a people, reached
a point where we have a class of men who will come together for
purposes, so pure, so elevating, so beneficent, as the cultivation of
mind, with the view of meeting the uses and the needs of our benighted
people.

I feel that if this meeting were the end of this Academy; if I could see
that it would die this very day, I would nevertheless, cry out--"All
hail!" even if I had to join in with the salutation--"farewell forever!"
For, first of all, you have done, during the year, that w