The Negro Always on the Right Side

     It is a remarkable coincidence that the negro has played a prominent part on the side of the government in every catastrophe that has befallen it since his advent within its bounds. In spite of the fact that the country has never treated him with the consideration due man; he has defended her flag with his life whenever it has been assailed, whether by foreign or domestic foes. In peace, with his muscles, he has added to her wealth and material welfare. In war he fought her battles, always returning to the pursuits of peace, only to be forgotten. When President Lincoln was assassinated the entire negro race was stricken with grief. The first to attend President Garfield, when he fell by the assassin’s bullet was Dr. Purvis, a colored physician. Mr. Halph Wamley, colored, was a member of the jury that convicted Guiteau, the assassin. It was James Parker, colored, who felled Czolgosz after he had fired the two fatal shots into the body of President McKinley. He had gone there to shake the President’s hand, just in time to fell his assassin. Brethren, let us take courage. God brought us to this house of bondage in order that we might assist the American people in working out the great destiny of human freedom that has been entrusted to their hands. Faith in God, obedience to the laws, industry, honesty and frugality will bring us into our rightful heritage.