T5he
Place of the Negro
IN
American
History
/
PHILADELPHIA
The A. M. E. Publishing House
631 Pine Street
1905
the
Place of the Negro
insr
American History
REV. R. W. FTC3CLANJD, 33. Tf.,
Pastor of Bethel A. M. E. Church,
Philadelphia, Pa.,
AND
REV. A. L. MURRAY, D. D.,
President of A. M. IS. Preachers' Meeting of
Philadelphia and Vicinity.
The Pla.ce of The Negro in
American History*
In the abundance of the world's history,
-which constantly grows, in point of vol¬
ume because of repeated occurrence of
events, the multiplicity of human endeav¬
ors and achievements, it is not impossible
for one to overlook absolutely the part
which any one race variety may have
played in the higher civilization of the
world. Especially is it true, when the en¬
deavors and adventures of a less aggres¬
sive and less progressive race are brought
immediately under and hence in a large
measure overshadowed by the endeavors
-and achievements of a far more aggres¬
sive and progressive race variety.
The charm of events, the demands for
the investigation of progressive ideas, the
sharp competition in both the political
.and religious world, the superabundance
4
of selfish ambition for fame and place of
distinction among those who win fame,
make it the more possible for a race to>
lose its place almost absolutely. Is it not
true that the American Negro's present
relation to the history of this country fills
just that very unenviable position?
The history of a race variety is highly-
essential, for further reference, in any at¬
tempt to establish its claims to an in¬
disputable place in the endeavors of na¬
tions toward the uplift and enlightenment
of the world.
Just as nations are made up by the
coming together of a large number of in¬
dividuals, and a great sentiment is formed
by the crystalizing of individual ideas, so
a misconception of the sacrifices, endeav¬
ors and achievements of an individual
race may be so completely conceded, and
universally accepted that it becomes
therefore next to an impossibility to cor¬
rect it. And now that such a thing should
not obtain even in regard to our own con¬
ception of the part our fathers and
mothers played, and the part now being
5 .
performed by the present actors in this
.great drama, this address is designed to
call your already intelligent minds.
The American Negro is peculiarly situ¬
ated. His is a history which is so com¬
pletely interwoven with the entire his¬
tory of America that no history of the
American Negro is complete that does not
take into account the relation which
America sustains to the Negro and the
Negro to it. Nor is any history of the
American nation and its great achieve¬
ments complete that does not seek to ac¬
cord in the spirit of justice the place
merited by the man of color.
This naturally raises the question as to
what has the Negro done that he should
be accorded a place of honor in the pro¬
gressive movements of the nation. We
answer: When the circumstances of
-ceaseless adversities are taken into ac¬
count it will be found that the Negro has
•done much to merit the place for which
he is now contending, and of which he
should not feel ashamed.
6
I. His place as a toiler in the de¬
velopment of the natural resources
of the country and as such a pro¬
ducer.
To many who have not sought to know
the Negro in his habits of industry and
his sacrifices of energy and his unyielding
integrity when trusted with the interest
of a sacred cause, it may be difficult to
convince them that a great portion of the
natural resources of this country have
been developed by Negro industry.
Notwithstanding the fact that thou¬
sands of Negroes are freeholders, and
many figure in a more speculative life—as
tradesmen—by far the majority of them,
however, are engaged in agricultural pur¬
suits, which has always been the pursuit
followed by the greater portion of all race
varieties during a certain stage of their
civilization. The American Negro, dem¬
onstrating the same instinctive qualities
common to other race varieties, has fol¬
lowed this natural course of things, with
similar results; namely, his successes and
and failures.
7
His history, however, in this sphere of
agricultural pursuit reaches farther back
than the few decades in which he
has enjoyed a degree of freedom. Two
hundred years ago and more he rendered
unrequited toil as an agriculturist, me¬
chanic, and in other spheres too numer¬
ous to mention. Do you ask if his labors
in the capacities named were successful,
and yielded good results? I would refer
you to records of those days to prove to
you how the country became dotted with
beautiful farm houses and mansions,
tastefully designed and skillfully exe¬
cuted ; and how by that same unrequited
toil he felled the trees of the forest,
cleared away the shrubbery, he made the
barren hills fruitful and the parched val¬
leys to bloom as the rose.
The American Negro, by reason of
adoption and inheritance, is an American.
The fact that he has not received compen¬
sation for those years of suffering, sac¬
rifice and toil, according to both the
moral code and the Constitution, these
make him heir to every immunity and en¬
joyment accorded an American citizen.
8
In the few years of the existence of or¬
ganized labor this thought has been
evolved: That the laborer is as much the
producer as the capitalist who furnishes
the means to procure the labor and its re¬
sults. We shall not stop to discuss the
merits nor demerits of this theory, since
it is more of an assertion than an estab¬
lished fact. But the fact that this asser¬
tion is being given some acknowledge¬
ment, and that a marked degree of conces¬
sion is being made to this claim, may jus¬
tify our acceptance of the theory as being
genuinely true; and upon the same basis
we may claim for the Negro the place of
.an actual producer. For truly no one
has contributed more, by the way of toil,
than has the Negro, to say nothing of
those enterprises which are the product
his own industry, skill and ingenuity.
If the wasted forests have been turned in¬
to fields for the cultivation of useful grain
•and vineyards of luscious fruit; if the
'pathless hills and mountains have been
'made inviting highways for pedestrians
and travelers; if the rivers and mountains
9
have been tunneled, thereby yielding to
the triumph of the will of man; surely
the Negro must share in the glory which
results in consequence of such efforts.
For he has been among the burden bear^
ers in all such adventures.
II. His place as a citizen and
worthy contributor to American His¬
tory.
When we think of the hundreds of years
the Negro has spent in this country, how
successfully he has been in adapting him¬
self to the usage and customs common
to a law-abiding citizen; how by constant
practice and love for, he has not only
adopted but actually inculcated all the
principles, peculiarly that of the nations,
together with its religion—any question
raised by which it may be inferred that
his citizenship is still an unsettled issue,
brings at once to the heart a feeling of
horror. Citizenship, as we know, carries
with- it broad ideas, leaving: one to infer
rriatiy things which in reality are untrue,
Citizenship taken therefore in. its; most
IO.
practical sense as it applies to many is a
hyperbole; but nevertheless the goal that
should never be lost sight of. For too far
now has the hand of fate gone in giving
shape to the destiny of the American
Negro.
We predict the approach of the turning
point for a fuller enjoyment of citizen¬
ship. We do this, however, in the midst
of many perplexing presentations. For
instance, more adverse criticism never
disturbed the mind of the public; more
drastic legislation was never given the
place of civic regulation; stronger evi¬
dence of reactionary influences upon com¬
mon sentiment were never so marked in
their manifestations; while the competi¬
tion in industrial enterprises and rivalry
in the intellectual spheres were never so
sharp. That these present a complication
of things which is at once productive of
a diversity of opinions is obvious; but
when we once submit all these things to
a careful analysis, the whole matter is re¬
duced toi three propositions: First, criti¬
cism never .choses as its. subject; a, negar
II
tive; force, which in itself is void of re¬
sponsiveness. Second, sentiment seldomly
qryst&lizes; into legislative enactments for
the regulation of a non-progressive ele¬
ment. Third, competition has its exist¬
ence, and: hence its cognizance in two
or more competitive forces. Has not the
American Negro, as such, demonstrated
the fact that jn the Constitution of this
mongrel nation he is in reality—himself—
a.portential element, who has contributed
of his physical and moral energies to its.
higher development? Time will not per¬
mit us to enlarge upon the three fore¬
going propositions; henee we must suffice
it to say that the JNegro's place in Amer¬
ican history, as a civic representative to.
foreign government, his official position,
in state and national government,; is an
unquestionable evidence of his effective¬
ness. Whatever may be.the outcome pf
the apparently reactionary measures, der
signed against the exercise of his liberty
and universal acknowledgement pf his
civic enjoyment; the Christian, truth-lov¬
ing historian,, though he may be yet un-;
12
born, will delight himself in thought, that
the act of recording the deeds of daring,
fidelity and true devotion of the Negro,
in common with other American citizens,
is an oportunity with which to feather his
drrow1 in attaining the exalted heights of
fame, honor and distinction. I'n that ef¬
fort he will accord the Negro a place with
the sturdy agriculturist who furnishes the
staff of life; his political enthusiasm and
devotion to the Republican party as a
matter of gratitude, will swell with words
of praise; his sacrificing endeavors in
the extrication of himself from the thrall-
dow of ignorance and superstition will
stand forth as a star of amazing great-
hess^-while his enduring qualities under
the most trying persecution, and his pa¬
tient perseverance for the attainment of
the highest excellence of character and
roundness of intellectual development,
will be painted in colors of beauty, as a
crown, adorned with sparkling gems.
OtJR GREATEST HINDRANCE.
'fhe' estimation of one's right to wield
the ballot at-will, as ari expression of his
I3
•choice of public servants, is not infre¬
quently placed at its highest mark. The
acts, however, by which a portion of the
Negro population is disfranchised is not
the greatest injury which he could suf¬
fer. For gradually the disfranchising
scheme will reach a period of disrepute,
and will accordingly receive its condem¬
nation. This, however, will be governed
in a large measure by the Negro's dis¬
play of a sufficient degree of competency
in competing with organized labor move¬
ments, which have thus far won national
recognition, and is thereby given substan¬
tial encouragement. The fact that organ¬
ized labor is positively opposed to the ad¬
mission of the Negro to its organization
adds one other phase to the already com¬
plex state of affairs; for the reason that
poverty selfishly and mercilessly seeks to
gratify itself at the expense of others
of like condition. This state of affairs is
most likely to continue for yet a number
of years, being fostered by an internal
• operation , which to most people is be¬
yond comprehension. For instance, dur-
14
ing March, 1905, for two weeks alone it.
is reported that 40,863 immigrants ar¬
rived in New York city. These people,
at least the greater portion of them, look
to American enterprise for a livelihood.
May we not ask with a degree of serious¬
ness, what will the Negro do with no cer¬
tainty of support? Nor enterprises of his
own ?
Notwithstanding the many occurrences
which have marked the history of the-
American Negro, none of them have fall¬
en absolutely short of some good results.
The disfranchising enactments in , many
States, though cruel imposition of fraud¬
ulent measures, which extorts financial
support for governmental expenses, and
in the meantime denies the contributor
the liberty otherwise guaranteed. But
all these , when submitted to a careful
analysis, are reduced to the following:
First, the gratification of unrestrained
passion is sought in opposition to com¬
mon justice. Second, that all eventful,
occurrences mark the course of Provi¬
dence in its dealing with nations and peo-
IS
pie, and therefore must be allowed to ex¬
haust their energies toward the accom¬
plishment of the end for which they are.
designed. Herein is a clear and unques¬
tionably striking illustration of the wrath
of man being made to serve the purpose
of God. For instance, the three months'
schools of other sections have forced up^
on the people the study of the laws of
economic practice, in order to give their,
children a primary education. The op¬
pressive and abominable lease system has
compelled the more thoughtful to adopt
the rules of self-denial, to avoid the yoke
of re-enslavement; while those legislative
enactments designed to disfranchise cer¬
tain citizens have served more as a tocsin
of alarm and an unenviable stimulus to
further and more vigorous action.
THE CONCLUSION.
The Negro Must Be His Own Redeemer.
In what lies the future destiny of the
American Negro. This is a question
which any one of us may profitably con¬
sider, and decide at least this much: that
i6
all experimental adventures, particularly-
designed for the elevation of the Negro,
is a thing of the past.
Thus far no psychological discovery
has placed beyond a reasonable contradic¬
tion the impossibility of his attaining the
same degree of eminence in any sphere
of activity. Such achievement, however,
depends almost absolutely upon his own
ability to sanely take into cognizance
these facts, and cautiously plan the need¬
ed course to be pursued in the develop¬
ment of his inherent qualities, that are es¬
sential for the accomplishment of his
highest aspirations.
The Negro must lift up the Negro. If
there is any future glory for him, he must
look to himself for its achievement. He
must be willing to face the misty gloom
of frowning sentiments and wrest from
the hand of cruel adversity the diadem
of fadeless beauty. He should not look
to, yea, he should disdain the thought of
attaining a place of distinction for which
his own honest endeavor has not won for
him.
*7
It is by his own dint of effort that any
individual achieves greatness; so it must
be with all people. Let it therefore be
taught every member of the race, from
the rustic lad and lassie of the most dis¬
tant farm, to the most stylish young man
and maiden of the city—that industrial en¬
deavors, coupled wih economic practice
and habits of sobriety and respectability,
are essential to the uplift of any people,
and without which the enviable heights
of intellectual, financial, political, moral
and religious greatness cannot be at¬
tained.
The contention for a place in the his¬
tory of this country is justly ours, and
should be done hopefully and courage¬
ously, with implicit confidence in the ul¬
timate triumph of the right.
i8
THE RIGHT MUST WIN.
There is no time to despair,
Nor shirk the conflict in fear,
For the right must win;
Tho' falsehood awhile may rage,
In hamlet, town and village,
And current thought may manage,
But the right must win.
CHORUS.
Yes, the right is sure to win,
Thro' the mighty host of sin;
As it goes from door to door,
Conquering every foe;
Dispensing to all aright
Abundance of truth and light.
Bandy not with shirking men,
The faithless who'll not defend,
For the right must win;
Our purpose is righteousness;
In action all faithfulness,
Contending with strenuousness,
For the right must win.
I9
"'Tis the haughty, proud and strong,
Who consider not their wrong,
But the right must win;
To your conscience then be true,
Tho' your number may be few,
Herewith we—all may be pure,
For the right must win.
Put your heart into the fight,
Yes, with all your strength and might,
For the right must win;
Doubt not the triumph of right,
Tho' dark and dismal the night,
Victory will be clear and bright,
For the right must win.
'Then victoriously we'll stand,
With blazoned banner in hand,
For the right must win;
So let us all stand steadfast;
We'll exult over the past,
"With victory won at last,
For the right must win.
R. WILLIAM FICKLAND,
Philadelphia, Pa.
'Friday, March 10, I9°5*