eak points is
physical. Especially is this true regarding those who live in the
large cities, North and South. But in almost every case this physical
weakness can be traced to ignorant violation of the laws of health or
to vicious habits. The Negro, who during slavery lived on the large
plantations in the South, surrounded by restraints, at the close of
the war came to the cities, and in many cases found the freedom and
temptations of the city too much for him. The transition was too
sudden.

When we consider what it meant to have four millions of people slaves
to-day and freemen to-morrow, the wonder is that the race has not
suffered more physically than it has. I do not believe that statistics
can be so marshalled as to prove that the Negro as a race is
physically or numerically on the decline. On the other hand, the Negro
as a race is increasing in numbers by a larger percentage than is true
of the French nation. While the death-rate is large in the cities, the
birth-rate is also large; and it is to be borne in mind that
eighty-five per cent. of these people in the Gulf States are in the
country districts and smaller towns, and there the increase is along
healthy and normal lines. As the Negro becomes educated, the high
death-rate in the cities will disappear. For proof of this, I have
only to mention that a few years ago no coloured man could get
insurance in the large first-class insurance companies. Now there are
few of these companies which do not seek the insurance of educated
coloured men. In the North and South the physical intoxication that
was the result of sudden freedom is giving way to an encouraging,
sobering process; and, as this continues, the high death-rate will
disappear even, in the large cities.

Another element of weakness which shows itself in the present stage of
the civilisation of the Negro is his lack of ability to form a purpose
and stick to it through a series of years, if need be,--years that
involve discouragement as well as encouragement,--till the end shall
be reached. Of course there are brilliant exceptions to this rule; but
there is no question that here is an element of weakness, and the
same, I think, would be true of any race with the Negro's history.

Few of the resolutions which are made in conventions, etc., are
remembered and put into practice six months after the warmth and
enthusiasm of the debating hall have disappeared. This, I know, is an
element of the white man's w