The African abroad, or, his evolution in western civilization, tracing his development under Caucasian milieu

Front matter

QOQO'^sasbDT i ill

•i m^ iiiinniiiias

}i!vr f ri'ifiis

Preface

This book had its origin in the fact that in the fall of 1902 and the following winter I was invited to address the Boston Literary ; also the Bethel Literary, the Second Baptist Lyceum, the Shiloh Baptist Lyceum and the American Negro Academy of Washington, D. C. ; upon "The Light of Sociology upon Various Phases and Aspects of the Negro Question." In June, 1904, I began to collaborate my material and lecture upon "Beacon Lights of Negro History." Li November, I lectured upon the same theme in Charleston, S. C. The Nczus and Courier gave an account of nearly two columns to the lecture and Lawyer A. C. Twine wrote a glowing account of it in the Charleston (S. C.) Messenger. The lecture was favorably received in other sections of the state. On the evening of December 25, 1905, while I was preparing an address to be delivered at the Emancipation Celebration at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Orangeburg, S. C, I decided to put the material, which I had been accumulating for over three years, into the form of a "History of the Evolution of the Colored Race under Caucasian Milieu."

In investigating the subject I traveled from Maine to Florida, from Washington, D. C, to Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. The expense of collecting data and preparing manuscript was considerable. Handicapped once by a severe and prolonged illness and by the expense of changing publishers and preparing and sending out a second prospectus, it would have been absolutely impossible for me to have brought to a consummation such a gigantic task, had not a few noble-hearted Anglo-Saxons and 1 four public-spirited colored men rallied to my aid and support. Therefore, I desire to acknowledge my special indebtedness to the ' following parties :

Hon. Charles Sumner Bird, East Walpole, Mass. ; Senator George Peabody Wetmore, Newport, R. I. ; Mr. George S. !Motley, Lowell, Mass. ; Hon. Francis Burton Harrison, New York City; Mr. Oliver G. Jennings, New York City; Mr. Wilvi The African Abroad.

Uam Sloanc, New York City; Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Cincinnati, Ohio; Senator Winthrop Murray Crane, Dallon, Mass.; Col. Isaac M. Ullman, New Haven, Conn.; Dr. I. X. Porter, New Haven, Conn.; .Mr. Francis Duskin Hurtt, New York City; Hon. .Me.xaiuler McGregor. Bo.ston, Mass.; Mrs. Thomas M. Stetson, New Bedford, Mass.; Professor Josiah K(jyce, Harvard University; Rev. Paul Revere Frothingham, Boston; Mr. IClnier 1'. Howe, Boston; Mr. Jacob H. SchifT, New York City; Mr. Jonathan Thome, New York City; Mr. A. A. P.-pe, Farminj,'ton, Conn. ; Mr. D. N. Barney, Farmington, Conn.; Mr. Winchell Smith, Farmington, Conn.; Mr. Zcnas Crane, Dalton, .Mass.; Deacon Greene, Wilmington, N. C ; Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst, San I-'rancisco, Cal. ; Miss Ellen F. Mason, Boston. Mass.; Professor William James, Harvard University; Professor Irving I'ishcr, Yale University; Hon. R. G. Hazard, Peacedale, R. I.; Mr. Roger S. Baldwin, New York City; Hon. Moorfield Storey, Boston; Mr. Max .\dler, New Haven, Conn.; Mr. Thomas Walker, Washington, D. C. ; Mr. Joseph S. Robinson, Hartford, Conn.; Mr. E. Kent Hubbard, Middletown, Conn.

I desire further to acknowledge my indebtedness to these friends, who have subscribed for more than one set, namely:

Miss Alice M. Longfellow, Cambridge, Mass.; Mrs. Murray C. Mayer, nee Miss Fannie Ullman, Chicago, 111. ; Mr. Joseph N. Smith, Boston; Mr. William CJammcll, Providence, R. !.; Mrs. J. Milton Greist, New Haven, Conn.; Mrs. Clara M. Rotch, New Bedford, Mass.; Miss Caroline Hazard, Peacedale, R. I.; Miss Mary Eldridge, Norfolk, Conn.; Miss Helen E. Chase, Waterbury, Conn. ; Hon. W. W. Crapo, New Bedford, Mass.; Hon. A. E. Pillsbury, Boston; Mr. Tiieodore M. Davis, Newport, R. I.; Mr. Samuel M. Nicholson, Providence, R. I.; Rev. .\nson Phelps Stokes, Secretary of Yale University; Mr. Anson M. Beard, New York City; Mr. \\illiam .\. Delano, New York City; Mrs. \. G. Pierce, New Bedford. Mass

The list of those who have pledged subscriptions for single sets is too large to be pul)lishcd in this preface, but this is the list of those who have sent in their subscrij)tions in full or in part :

Mrs. J. N. Harris, New London, Conn.; Dean .-\ndrew W. Phillips. Yale University; Dean Henry P. Wright, Yale Uni-

Preface. vii

versity; the late Colonel T. W. Higginson, Cambridge, Mass.; Judge Livingston \\'. Cleaveland, New Haven, Conn. ; Mr. F. D, Kendrick, Lebanon, N. H. ; Hon. Samuel J. I^lder, Boston; Mr. R. S. Bradley, Boston ; President Timothy Dwight, Yale University; yiw Henry L. Hotchkiss, New Haven, Conn.; Mr. C. R. Forrest, Hartford, Conn. ; Mrs. Keep Ladies Seminary, Farmington, Conn.; Mr. George W. Williams, Farmington, Conn. ; Mr. George B. Alvord, Hartford, Conn. ; Colonel A. H. Goetting, Springfield, Mass.; Mr. Adrian Iselin, New Rochelle, N. Y.; ^Ir. Guy R. AIcLane, New York City; Airs. Marshall Crane, Dalton, ]\Iass. ; Governor Simeon E. Baldwin, New Haven, Conn. ; Rev. John F. Huntington, Hartford, Conn. ; Miss Theodate Pope, Farmington, Conn. ; Mrs. Susan J. Cheney, South Manchester, Conn. ; Mr. R. O. Cheney, Jr., South Manchester, Conn.; ]\Irs. L. G. Spencer, Manchester, Conn.; Mrs. I. M. Palmer, Marblehead Neck, Mass.; Mrs. S. Hagerty, Clifton, Mass.; the late IMrs. Jennie E. Emmerton, Salem, Mass.; Mrs. J. C. Rogers, Peabody, Mass. ; General Francis Henry Appleton, Proctor's Crossing, Mass.; Dean Samuel Hart, Middletown, Conn.; Hon. Lyman D. Mills, Middlefield, Conn.; Mr. H. C. Rowley, Springfield, Mass.; Mr. George D. Barron, Rye, N. Y. ; Aliss A. C. Harris, Springfield, Mass.; Mrs. N. T. Bacon. Peacedale, R. L; Mrs. F. C. Jones, Hartford, Conn.; The Pratt Brown Co., Perth Amboy, N. J. ; lion. George M. Landers, New Britain, Conn. ; Mr. Gilbert W. Chapin, Hartford, Conn.; Airs. Frederick Grinnell, New Bedford, Mass.; Miss Ann E. Bostwick, New Milford, Conn.; Mr. M. C. Bouvier, New York City; Air. David L. Parker, New Bedford, Alass. ; Air. C. W. Clifford, New Bedford, Alass. ; Hon. W. G. Church, W'aterbury, Conn.; Hon. A. P. Gardner, Hamilton, Alass.; Editor Philip Troup, New Haven, Conn.; Mrs. Bradley, New Haven, Conn. ; Air. John T. Manson, New Haven, Conn. ; Dr. Walter Skiff", New Haven, Conn.; Air. William J. E. Jente, New Haven, Conn. ; President H. A. Garfield, Williams College, Williamstown, Alass.; Air. Robert Cluett, Williamstown, Alass.; Professor S. F. Clarke, Williamstown, Alass.; Rev. J. Franklin Carter, Williamstown, Alass. ; Rev. William Van Valkenburg, Alarblehead, Mass.; Air. John Elliott, New Haven, Conn.; Mr. Charles G. Alorris, New Haven, Conn. ; Hon. W. H. Hackett, viii The African Abroad.

New Haven, Conn. ; President William S. Scarborough, Wilberforce University, W'ilbcrforce, Ohio ; Professor James Edward Mason, Livingstone College, Salisbury, X. C. ; Dr. York Russell, New York City; Mr. Emerson G. Taylor, Hartford, Conn.; Mr. John G. Talcott, Talcottvillc, Conn.; Mr. W. K. Sessions, Bristol, Conn.; Mr. William .S. Ingraham, Dristol, Conn.; Mr. William C. Cheney, .Soutli Manchester, Conn.; Mr. X. X. Hill, East Haddam, Conn.; Mr. C. W. Bevin, East Haddam, Conn.; Mr. C. G. Bevin, East Haddam, Conn.; Mrs. Lena ^.L Barreau, New Bedford, Mass.; Dr. E. D. Osborn, Xew Bedford, Mass.; Dr. (korge II. Wright, Xew Milford, Conn.; Dr. W. L. Piatt, Torrington, Conn.; Mr. Frederick Wadhams, Torrington, Conn.; Mr. Charles B. Johnson, New Haven, Conn.; Mr. A. R. Crittenden, Middlctowii, Conn.; Mrs. Everett L. Brown, Mr. Charles S. Kelly. Mr. William .V. Read, Mr. C. Baylie, Mr. Bob Churchill, and Dr. X. W. Nelson, Xew Bedford, Mass.; Mrs. Mary F. Munsill, Hon. E. W. Hooker, Hartford, Conn. ; Mrs. A. D. \'orce, Farmington, Conn.; Mrs. ^\^ S. Hill. Siicfficld, Conn.; Mr. R. S. Williams and Philip Williams, Glastonbury, Conn.; Mr. Henry M. Lester, Xew Rochelle, X. Y. ; Mr. Charles Mallory, Byram Shores, Conn. ; Mrs. S. M. Bradley, Mr. F. G. P. Barnes, Mr. H. T. Blake and 'Sir. A. C. Wilson, Xew Haven, Conn.

Above all, I am indebted to Mr. Roger \\'. Tuttle, a Yale Classmate, of The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company for his generous aid, when my publishing venture was floundering in the sea of distress.

I am indebted to Mr. J. E. Bruce, the president, and to Air. A. A. Schomburg, the secretary of the Negro Society for Historical Research, for valuable data and for all of the African, West Indian and South American photographs, and for the portrait of Alexander Dumas, pirc. The Sierra Leone photographs are the work of Mr. Alisk Carew, a native African photographer. I am indebted to Mr. Emory T. Morris, Deputy Sealer of Weights and Measures in Cambridge, Mass., the nephew of the famous Robert Morris, the friend of the late Culonel T. W. Higginson, the former president of the Colored Xational League, whose common sense, public spirit, and purity and integrity of character have made him an esteemed and respected citizen of

Preface. ix

Cambridge. From my Harvard days until the present, his splendid library, which ranges from colonial and anti-slavery books and pamphlets up to philosophical and literary masterpieces, has been an unfailing source of inspiration and has supplied me with a rich fund of information. The late Colonel Thomas Wentworth Iligginson often spoke to me of the high regard in which he held Mr. and Mrs. Emory T. Morris and the pleasure that he took in looking over Mr. Morris's books, several of which were out of print.

I appreciate the courtesy of Professor John Christopher Schwab, the Yale Librarian, of Mr. Henry R. Gruener and George Alexander Johnson, assistants in the Yale Library, in granting me the use of the library and in assisting me in locating books and of ^Mr. E. Byrne Hackett of the Yale University Press. I also appreciate the kindness of E. PL Clement of tlie Boston Transcript.

Now a concluding word as to the book. I have merely desired to get at the facts. Scientific accuracy and historical truth have been my pillars of cloud by day and of fire by night. I have endeavored as far as possible to verify all of the oral and written data that have been submitted to me and that I have chanced upon.

My investigations and researches have led me into many by-paths, where I have uncovered many interesting facts. And the scrap book character of a few sections of Part TV. is due to the fact that I unearthed some of the new data while my book was in press. It was too late to rewrite the chapters and I was compelled to dovetail the facts in as best I could.

I should have liked to elaborate upon the careers of many American colored men whom I have mentioned in my book, but my space was limited, as I was compressing six thousand years of history and summing up the careers of nearly one thousand individuals in one thousand pages. As I delved into the subject, I was amazed to find what honors had been conferred upon exceptional men of color in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Holland, Russia, Spain and Portugal, amazed to find to what heights of eminence talented African and West Indian Negroes had risen, and I was forced to make place and room in my book for those distinguished foreign Negroes who had reached the highest pinnacle of fame.

X The African Abroad.

While some of tlic colored leaders in America have been teaching ihcir followers to despise books and scholarship, Duse Mohamcd in ICn^dand has hccii writing plays, sketches, tragediettas, the libretto of a musical comedy, a coronation ode, a history of ICgypt, a romance, a series of essays on the drama and editing a magazine of world scope and significance. And over in Africa Hon. James Carmichael Smith, ex-Postmaster General of Sierra Leone, has written nearly a dozen books upon economics which have been commended by the leading English and Scotch magazines.

When the men of soaring ambition in the colored race in America receive encouragement, then, and then only, can we expect a Duse Mohamed and an Hon. James Carmichael Smith to arise in .\mcrica.

New Haven, Conn., July i, 1913.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.

Introduction To A Philosophy Of History

A WELTANSCHAUUNG OR INTERPRETATION

OF THE DRAMA OF HISTORY, OR THE

PAGEANT OF LIFE.

Chapter I

A Narragansett Reverie upon the Eternal and the Ephemeral in History and Human Life i

CHAPTER H.

God Revealed in the Course of Human History, in the Movement of the Human Spirit in its Historical Development — The Meaning of History 24

CHAPTER HI.

Teleology in Reality ; or, in what Sense is there a Telcological Movement in the World? Is Man One of the Final Purposes of the Universe ? 44

CHAPTER IV.

The Great Man in History — An Estimate of Gladstone and Bismarck, the Two Greatest Teutons of the Nineteenth Century, and of Frederick Douglass, the Greatest American Negro of the Nineteenth Century; and a Glance at John Henry Newman, the English Preacher, who was a Compeller of Men 6^ xii The African Abroad.

CHAPTER V.

Roosevelt and the Negro — The Man of Thought versus the Man of Action — Roosevelt, Joseph Benson Foraker, Oliver Cromwell and Charles Eliot Xorton as Typical Great Men 84

CHAPTER \T.

A Chapter from My Autobiography — My Boyish Dreams and Mouthful Resolutions 107

CHAPTER \TI.

The Philosophy of Success and the Success of Philosophy — Rctlcclions upon the Lack of a Criterion of (ireatneso among Critical A fro- Americans who Belittle Philosophers, Scholars and Litterateurs 142

CHAPTER MH.

The Success of Philosophy 160

CHAPTER L\.

A Word about Booker T. Washington, DuBois, and the Niagara Movement 182

CHAPTER X.

The Epical Meaning and Historical Significance of the Black ^L^n's Spiritual Strivings and Higher Aspirations 193

Part II. Phases Of Negro Thought And Life

CHAPTER XL

A Historical and Psychological Account of the Genesis and Development of the Negro's Religion 235

CHAPTER Xn.

The American Negro's Contribution to Literature. Music and <^>ratory 255

Contents. xiii

CHAPTER XIII.

Is the Negro an Imitative or Reflective Being? To what Extent is the Present Anglo-Saxon CiviHzation Original and Underived ? 279

CHAPTER XIV.

Reason why the Term "Negrosaxon," or Colored, Better Characterizes the Colored People of IMixed Descent in America than the term "Negro" 296

CHAPTER XV.

Chapter on the Laws Governing the Migration of Nations and Negro Labor and Foreign Emigrant Labor in the South 312

Part III. A Thread To Guide One Through The Mazes Of The Color Question

CHAPTER XVI.

The Key to the Solution of the Race Question — The Philosophy of the Color Question 329

CHAPTER XVII.

The Return of the Scholar and Dreams of my Boyhood .... 348

CHAPTER XVIII.

Is There Place and Room in the South for Negroes of Strong Individuality and Masterful Personality ? No 356

CHAPTER XIX.

The Educated Leader the Hope of the Race and the Hero in the Struggle for Negro Liberty 363

CHAPTER XX.

The Genesis and Development of the Anti-Booker Washington Sentiment amongst Thoughtful Negroes 371 xiv The African Abroad.

CIIArTER XXI.

Professor Kelly Miller's Philosophy of the Race Question . . 383

CHAPTER XXII.

Professor Jcsiah Royce's "Philosophy of the Color Question" 390

CHAPTER XXIII.

A Message to My Colored Brethren — Stop Whining- and Buckle Down to Hard Work 395

Part IV

AN EPITOME OF DEEDS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROG- RESS OF THE COLORED RACE IN AFRICA, EUROPE, HAYTI, THE WEST INDIES AND AMERICA.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Africa, the Dark Continent 429

CHAPTER XX\'.

Africa at the Dawn of History — The Xcgro in Pre-Historic Times ] ) |

CHAPTER XXM.

Africa in the Dawn of Civilization 463

CHAPTER XX\TI. l'"inal Words about the Ethiopians 476

CHAPTER XX \' ill.

The Negro in the Babylonian Civilization 507

I

I

Introduction To A Philosophy Of History. A

WELTANSCHAUUNG OR INTERPRETATION OF

THE DRAMA OF HISTORY, OR THE

PAGEANT OF LIFE.

CHAPTER I.

A Narragansett Reverie upon the Eternal and the Ephemeral in Human Life and History.

As I selected for a task giving to the world an interpretation of the hopes and longings and strivings and aspirations of the Black Man, and a record of his deeds and achievements, I thought of the larger life of mankind, of which the life of the Negro is but an eddy in a stream. I pulled back the curtain of time and saw savage man emerging from the caves thousands of years ago. I saw how he learned the use of fire and mastered the art of writing. I saw him dwelling in communities and developing states. I saw him offering sacrifice to an avenging deity, and then rise to the lofty conception of an Eternal One. I saw nations rise and fall, dynasties come and go, saw great men play their part in the drama of human history and pass on into oblivion. And then I asked, What is the significance of the toil and struggle, of the effort and aspiration of man, of the blood and tears he has shed? What is human history? Is there any meaning to history? Is it a divine poem, epic in its sweep ? Is it a world drama ? Is there a mighty power, a Master Mind behind the curtains, shifting the scenes? I will relate the experience that led me to reflect upon the meaning of history and man's place in the universe.

Whoever has visited Great Barrington, crossed the Housatonic \ River and wandered along the street which lies at the foot of East Rock, can never forget the beauty and serenity of the view before him. Great Barrington lies in a valley between two long I low ranges of hills. As the eye glances down the hill, it stops for a moment to watch the play of sunlight and shade upon the Housatonic River, flowing so calmly between two rows of | trees. I

Then the way in which the village is nestled among the trees, the infinite variety and contrast of the scene, the dreamy play of the sunlight on the leaves and branches, and the sense of repose and quiet pervading the whole village cause a serene, rapturous fcclinp to take possession of the beholder and Hft him to realms of the infinite.

Finally the eye rests ui)on the sloping hillside at the other end of the villap^e, and the large residences built upon it. It obsc^^'es the mixture of forests and meadows, and the trees on the top of the hilNidc. I thought of the serenity of nature, of those enduring hills that had stood for ages, and something of the peace and quietness of nature, something of the granite strength of those hills came into my soul. But it was another experience which was to lead me to see in nature the manifestations of a creative spirit and to contrast the eternal life of nature with the ephemeral strivings of man.

It was a beautiful August morning when I started for Tower Hill, one of those days when poets love to sing. As I looked up at the sun shining with all its sky-high splendor, casting its rays here and there, and felt the invigorating breeze as it swept over the Atlantic, I was moved by it. I went up the road and turned into the lane that leads to the woods. I listened to the singing of the birds, to the chirping of the crickets, and saw what variety nature threw around me. I looked at those large fir trees that formed an arch over my head, saw the sunbeams as they peeped through the leaves of the trees and cast a yellow glow on some spots and left a dark shade where they did not alight. Across the fields I could see the cows grazing, the bright, sparkling water and the mountains in the distance. I contrasted the different forms of vegetation from the deepest green to the brightest yellow.

Filled with a poetic thrill, I gave myself up to nature, and, stretched on the banks of that beautiful stream, viewed and studied the wild and enchanting scenery. I went to the top of that pile of rocks on that scenic eminence called Tower Hill and looked toward the Atlantic Ocean. I saw every possible variety of scenery — streams, meadows, forests, gardens, houses nestling among the trees, hotels and cottages low lying along the shores, the waters of the broad Atlantic, and, about ten miles across — a dim view, Newport hid among the trees.

I turned to the left and saw how prettily the river meandered through the meadows and around the hills, to my right I studied the wild grandeur of the scene.

4 Narras:ausctt Reverie.

But this was not all ; turning in the direction of Kingston, I saw the little village of Wakefield, and that prettiest of all villages, Peacedale, almost concealed from sight by the luxuriant foliage of wide spreading trees which surrounded her. Still looking in the direction of Peacedale, I jumped down from the rock, and ran over the ground to the edge of the hill ; there I studied and studied that grand, nay, that heavenly beauty of the scenery. So moved was I by this scenery that I forgot everything but the peace and beauty which enveloped me upon all sides. Could I depict the beauty in nature as Homer or Wordsworth did, I could not express the emotions and thoughts which this scene aroused in me. I hold this as a scene which is remembered a lifetime.

It seemed that I was in some vast cosmical cathedral, built within a still vaster cathedral, whose carpet was the green grass, whose statues were the waving trees and flowing vines, whose stained windows were the gilded and golden clouds which reflected the light of the sun, whose choir was the singing birds and whispering winds, whose choral music was the organ roll of the mighty thunder, whose incense was the vapor rising from the misty sea, whose candles were the evening stars and whose lurid lights were the flashing of the lightning, whose vaulted roof was the blue domed sky.

I felt like taking ofif my shoes, for I believed that I was on holy ground in the temple of the Most High.

Ten years later I visited the same scene, and lived in that Tower Hill house for several weeks. On an autumn afternoon or Indian summer day, I felt that same heavenly peace come over my troubled spirit and felt the tranquilizing influence of a Sabbath benediction. But this time I contrasted the peace and serenity of nature and the calmly grazing cows and the quiet life of Wakefield and Peacedale with the bustle of the summer life of Narragansett Pier and Newport. The cows need only plenteous grass and bright sunshine to complete their happiness ; the farmers of Wakefield and Peacedale, who die unknown to fame, need only good crops and the presence of loved ones to complete their happiness.

But it was different at the Pier and at the fashionable American summer resort. There, people sought pleasure and life and amusement, there people vied with each other in giving entertainments. There social rivalry was keen, and men and women were dominated by the passion for social leadership, social prestige and social preeminence.

I reflected, how evanescent is the fame of social kings and queens! Ten years ago a calm and tranquil Tennessee belle and a bright, vivacious Western belle held regal sway at the Pier. Their wish was law in the circle in which they ruled ! Gazing admirers stood silently awed. Ten years ago, a sturdy Oxford oarsman and a brilliant, dashing American athlete were lionized. Ten years ago a wife and daughter of a famous Southern statesman, a Southern Governor and retired Commodore were centers of attraction. To-day their names are barely mentioned. Other stars are in the ascendency, other queens hold their court and other figures hold the center of the stage.

In Newport it is essentially the same. Ten years before Count So and So, Lord Somebody, Duke of Somewhere, Earl of Someplace and Marquis of Abroad, were in everyone's mouth and were followed by envious, admiring eyes, as they rode around the town. Now no one ever mentions their names.

Six years ago a $50,000 dinner, given when mill hands were on a strike and out of work, was the talk of the town. Now it is forgotten. Three years ago a brilliant automobile parade stirred Newport, but now it has passed into oblivion.

To-day two manly English tennis players are in the limelight. To-day the monkey dinner is discussed. But ten years from to-day they will be forgotten. Then I thought of the fate of the favorites at the fashionable resorts, which is ultimately the fate of men and women who dominate things in their day and generation. The thought occurred to me that men prominent a generation or two ago are practically unknown to-day, and even some of the things that should render their names immortal are forgotten. Men who were public figures when I was a schoolboy, twenty years ago, are barely mentioned now, except by their personal friends and descendants. The names of James G. Blaine and Roscoe Conkling were in the air twenty years ago. The present generation is fast forgetting them for new heroes and new issues. They live only in the memory of their friends, aiifl even their greatest achievements are practically unknown.

A Narra^ansctt Reverie.

That they played ahnost as important a part as Charles Sumner in reconstruction legislation, that Conkling in the United States Senate in 1875 crushed the Louisiana conspiracy to overthrow the Federal Authority, that James G. Blaine in his twenty years in Congress paid a remarkable tribute to the colored men who went to Congress, is practically unknown; and one Connecticut Governor, whose name was in ever}^ one's mouth when I was learning my A, B, C's, has dropped completely out of sight and notice.

Sixty years ago the slavery debate held the center of the stage, but the present generation has not only forgotten the names of many of the chief actors then, but has even forgotten the moral issue involved in the contest. In the late forties and early fifties Samuel Ringo Ward, a giant in ebony, electrified English and American audiences on the slavery question, but now his name is forgotten. No one reads his autobiography or cares for the issue that was so dear to him. Very few people know that Gerrit Smith, who educated him, was a philanthropist, who, in 1849, gave an immense tract of land to colored men in the Adirondack Mountains. Also, very few know that George Luther Stearns gave $10,000 to maintain liberty in Kansas, supplied John Brown with arms and equipped a colored regiment in the late Civil War. So I might go on and mention many others.

Fifty years from now some of the living men, whose every movement is chronicled in big headlines, who are constantly sought out by newspaper reporters and have snapshots frequently turned upon them, will be almost forgotten by the popular mind.

The vanity of human life constantly recurred to me in these reflections. In the fourteenth chapter of Job we are told, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble." In the 90th division of Psalms we are told, "In the morning they are like grass, which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. . . . We bring our years to an end, as a tale that is told." The cycle of a man's life is soon run. Men die broken-hearted of political hopes and issues that are soon forgotten. Women fret and worry over invitations to social functions that soon pass into oblivion. Tlie world doesn't know who gave and doesn't care who was invited to social functions a decade ag^o. In school and college days we strive for school and college honors. It seems that our future is bound up with these honors. It seems that without them life would not be worth living. But after we have been out in the world a few years, men will forget them and our record as students, and will ask us, "Can you solve this problem ; can you face this situation ; can you meet this emergency?" The tragedy in the lives of most men and women is that they fret and worry, pine and grieve over things that will appear trivial and insignificant when they reach the years that bring the philosophic mind.

Nature joys in her floral beauty and her verdant hills, her radiant dawn and sunset tints, her calmness and repose, her peace and serenity, and the splendor of the starry hosts seems to rebuke the feverish, fretful and fitful strivings of man for pomp and honor and fame and glory.

I am glad that when, in the fall of 1902, I began to prepare lectures upon the Negro's religion and focus the light of sociology upon the Negro question, I was living upon Tower Hill.

There is nothing that gives a man perspective in human history, that makes him a spectator of all times and spaces and enables him to see all things sub-specie a^ternitatis, as a view from a lofty eminence. From the top of that lofty eminence I surveyed four civilizations. Down in Wakefield and Peacedale, I saw the civilization of the New England village ; down in Narragansett Pier, I saw the civilization of the South and West; over across Narragansett Bay, I saw in the distance the civilization of America's metropolis ; while in the breeze that swept over the Atlantic, in the mirroring sea, and blossoming fields and forests near me, I saw the joyous life of that Nature which never changes and ever remains the same. And at night, when the lamps of heaven began to send out faint rays from afar, I thought of the eternity of the starry hosts and reflected that those same stars looked down upon the cave men, who endeavored to interpret the universe five hundred thousand years ago. They saw the mighty Ethiopian, Eg\'ptian. Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian, Greek and Roman civilizations rise and fall in their