And now, my friends, what are the grounds upon which these measures are supported? This question opens a wide field of discussion—a field so large that I do not hope to make even a hasty survey of the whole of it in the time limited by the proprieties of this occasion. Fortunately, it is not at all important that I should attempt it. The facts, the figures and the arguments bearing on the subject are all familiar. The embarrassment is that they have been repeated so often and presented so ably that one hesitates to spread them again before such an audience as this. But if the question is asked, why repeat what is already so familiar, the reply is cogent and near at hand. The evil we deplore and wish to remove still remains. In spite of the work of the religious denominations, and of benevolent associations and individuals, the number of ignorant men armed with ballots which control the Nation’s destiny grows larger and larger. Congress hesitates to act, has adopted no remedy, and has not even reached a test vote on the question. This leaves to the friends of free and universal education at the South no recourse, except further agitation. This is the American way to obtain from the government needed reforms. Senators and Representatives have made reports and speeches, which cover the whole ground. Voluminous and valuable writings leave nothing to be desired by the citizen who would conscientiously investigate this question. There is another testimony in behalf of the right side of this important subject which must not be overlooked. More than seventeen years have passed since the close of the great war which consolidated the Union, gave liberty to the slaves and opened the way for free education at the South. During all of that time a stream of benevolent enterprises and efforts has been poured into the South in aid of this work by the various religious denominations and by missionary and charitable associations. Rich men have been glad to contribute to it generously out of their abundance. Many men and women from humble homes have nobly given their best years—their very lives—in the face of privations, hardships and unparalleled discouragements to uplift an obscure and injured people just released from the house of bondage. The history of these voluntary organizations and voluntary individual efforts is radiant with examples of self-sacrificing devotion in doing the work of the Divine Master, which are at once touching and sublime. If one could enumerate all that has been done, contributed, sacrificed and suffered by associations and individuals for the regeneration of the South, it would go far toward demonstrating to the satisfaction of all fair-minded people that God has given to this generation of the prosperous citizens of the United States a duty and a privilege with respect to their countrymen of both races in the South of unexampled interest to the Nation and to the cause of human freedom throughout the world.