-students go, they teach by precept and
example the necessary lesson of thrift, economy, and property-getting,
and friendship between the races.

CHAPTER VI.

It has become apparent that the effort to put the rank and file of the
coloured people into a position to exercise the right of franchise has
not been the success that was expected in those portions of our
country where the Negro is found in large numbers. Either the Negro
was not prepared for any such wholesale exercise of the ballot as our
recent amendments to the Constitution contemplated or the American
people were not prepared to assist and encourage him to use the
ballot. In either case the result has been the same.

On an important occasion in the life of the Master, when it fell to
him to pronounce judgment on two courses of action, these memorable
words fell from his lips: "And Mary hath chosen the better part." This
was the supreme test in the case of an individual. It is the highest
test in the case of a race or a nation. Let us apply this test to the
American Negro.

In the life of our Republic, when he has had the opportunity to
choose, has it been the better or worse part? When in the childhood of
this nation the Negro was asked to submit to slavery or choose death
and extinction, as did the aborigines, he chose the better part, that
which perpetuated the race.

When, in 1776, the Negro was asked to decide between British
oppression and American independence, we find him choosing the better
part; and Crispus Attucks, a Negro, was the first to shed his blood on
State Street, Boston, that the white American might enjoy liberty
forever, though his race remained in slavery. When, in 1814, at New
Orleans, the test of patriotism came again, we find the Negro choosing
the better part, General Andrew Jackson himself testifying that no
heart was more loyal and no arm was more strong and useful in defence
of righteousness.

When the long and memorable struggle came between union and
separation, when he knew that victory meant freedom, and defeat his
continued enslavement, although enlisting by the thousands, as
opportunity presented itself, to fight in honourable combat for the
cause of the Union and liberty, yet, when the suggestion and the
temptation came to burn the home and massacre wife and children during
the absence of the master in battle, and thus insure his liberty, we
find him choosing the better part, and for four long years protect