e largest tax-payer, shall very long be denied proper
respect and consideration. Those who would help the Negro most
effectually during the next fifty years can do so by assisting in his
development along scientific and industrial lines in connection with
the broadest mental and religious culture.

From the results of the war with Spain let us learn this, that God has
been teaching the Spanish nation a terrible lesson. What is it? Simply
this, that no nation can disregard the interest of any portion of its
members without that nation becoming weak and corrupt. The penalty may
be long delayed. God has been teaching Spain that for every one of her
subjects that she has left in ignorance, poverty, and crime the price
must be paid; and, if it has not been paid with the very heart of the
nation, it must be paid with the proudest and bluest blood of her sons
and with treasure that is beyond computation. From this spectacle I
pray God that America will learn a lesson in respect to the ten
million Negroes in this country.

The Negroes in the United States are, in most of the elements of
civilisation, weak. Providence has placed them here not without a
purpose. One object, in my opinion, is that the stronger race may
imbibe a lesson from the weaker in patience, forbearance, and
childlike yet supreme trust in the God of the Universe. This race has
been placed here that the white man might have a great opportunity of
lifting himself by lifting it up.

Out from the Negro colleges and industrial schools in the South there
are going forth each year thousands of young men and women into dark
and secluded corners, into lonely log school-houses, amidst poverty
and ignorance; and though, when they go forth, no drums beat, no
banners fly, no friends cheer, yet they are fighting the battles of
this country just as truly and bravely as those who go forth to do
battle against a foreign enemy.

If they are encouraged and properly supported in their work of
educating the masses in the industries, in economy, and in morals, as
well as mentally, they will, before many years, get the race upon such
an intellectual, industrial, and financial footing that it will be
able to enjoy without much trouble all the rights inherent in American
citizenship.

Now, if we wish to bring the race to a point where it should be, where
it will be strong, and grow and prosper, we have got to, in every way
possible, encourage it. We can do this in no better way