Unfettered: A NovelGriggs, Sutton E. (Sutton Elbert)
General
Unfettered: A Novel
Griggs, Sutton E. (Sutton Elbert)
African Americans -- Fiction; United States -- Race relations -- Fiction
As the wars of David with surrounding enemies made a nation of the loose
aggregation of the twelve tribes of Israel; as the hundred years of
fighting with France effected the integration of the people of England; as
the war of the Revolution sowed the seed that enabled the American people
to form a nation out of the thirteen colonies; as the compact German
empire of to-day is the result of outside pressure; just so is American
prejudice producing a oneness of sentiment in the Negroes which inevitably
leads toward their acting as a unit in matters affecting their salvation.
Having arranged for our organization, we are now to point out the lines
along which it is to labor.
WHERE TO BEGIN.
Realizing that we must at every point demonstrate that we are intrinsically
as well as constitutionally entitled to the lofty estate of American
citizenship, our racial organization must neglect nothing needful in the
fitting of the race for the high destiny unto which it is called.
In the work of preparing the race, first and foremost, attention must be
given to character building. Any hopes founded on aught else, are illusive.
Character is the bedrock on which we must build. In describing the
successful nation, Mr. Lecky gives voice to the following sentiments unto
which we must pay utmost heed:
"Its foundation is laid in pure domestic life, in commercial integrity, in
a high standard of moral worth and of public spirit, in simple habits, in
courage, uprightness, and a certain soundness and moderation of judgment
which springs quite as much from character as from intellect. If you would
form a wise judgment of the future of a nation, observe carefully whether
these qualities are increasing or decaying. Observe especially what
qualities count for most in public life. Is character becoming of greater
or less importance? Are the men who obtain the highest posts in the nation,
men of whom in private life and irrespective of party, competent judges
speak with genuine respect? Are they of sincere convictions, consistent
lives, indisputable integrity? * * * It is by observing this moral current
that you can best cast the horoscope of a nation."
"THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME."
In the matter of character building, first, attention must be paid to the
home. Prof. Henry Drummond has remarked that "the first great schoolroom of
the human race is the home." He further remarks that "It is the mature
opinion of every one who has thought upon the history of the world, that
the thing of highest importance for all times and to all nations is Family
Life."
The home life of the Negro has had to encounter many antagonistic
influences. The work of home building could not progress under the
institution of slavery. The present builders of Negro homes are, therefore,
pioneers, in the work, lacking the aptitude that would be theirs did they
inherit natures that descended from many generations of home builders.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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