Part 2

After completing his academic course, in the Fall of 1870, Prof. Crogman started for the South to give his life to the Christian education and elevation of his race. He was recommended by the Boston Preachers' Meeting to the work in South Carolina, and was employed by Rev. T. W. Lewis as instructor in English branches, at Claflin University, Orangeburg, S. C. Here he remained three years. In this work he became impressed with the need of a knowledge of Greek and Latin and began the study of Latin by himself. To gain a knowledge of these branches he went to Atlanta University in the Fall of 1873. This resulted in his completing there the full classical course in 1876. Prof. Francis, of Atlanta University, who was one of his teachers there, was present at the reception and in a most happy speech paid a high tribute to Prof. Crogman's manhood, industry, thorough scholarship and rapid advancement during his college life, completing as he did the four years' course in three years. He spoke also of Prof. Crogman's carrying off as his bride one of their noblest and most gifted and cultured young ladies, Miss Lavinia C. Mott, of Charlotte, N. C. Immediately on his graduating from Atlanta University, Prof. Crogman was called to a position on the faculty of Clark University, where he has been ever since, having occupied his present chair since 1880. Letters expressive of their highest appreciation of him and his work were read from several of his students, who now themselves occupy prominent positions.

Prof. Crogman is author of "Talks for the Times," a book in which almost every phase of the Race Problem is discussed in a very practical and fascinating style. Speaking of this book, the "Independent" says:

"We notice this collection of 'Talks for the Times' with unusual pleasure. They are worthy of the strong and cultivated gentleman who is their author. They deal largely with Negro education, educational institutions and educators, but occasionally deal with general topics, such as 'Life's Deeper Meanings.' The author speaks of his race and speaks in strong, polished English, full of nerve and rich in the music of good English prose."

The "California Christian Advocate" says:

"We are minded to say, 'here is a volume that must be intensely interesting to all who are interested in the culture and continued advancement of the Negro.' But why should we thus write? It would be nearer our deliberate estimate to say, 'Here is a book made up of manly and vigorous addresses by a vigorous, scholarly and independent thinker.' Whoever values the result of scholarly investigation will be interested in this volume. We do not hesitate to say that but for the noble identification of the author with his own people in such addresses as 'The Negro's Need,' 'The Negro's Claims,' and 'The Negro Problem,' no one who reads this book would guess that Professor Crogman was other than a vigorous minded Anglo-Saxon. And yet to our thinking, it is much to say that 'Talks for the Times' is the production of a ripe scholar who is of almost pure African blood--a man who almost entirely by his own exertion has climbed steadily up the ladder of scholarship until he is no mean exponent of the culture of our day."

INTRODUCTION.

BY PROF. W. H. CROGMAN.

I am requested to write an introduction to this volume of essays, written by representative men and women of the Negro race and touching almost every phase of the Negro question. Certainly it is a hopeful sign that the Negro is beginning, with some degree of seriousness, to turn his eyes inward, to study himself, and try to discover what are his possibilities, and what the obstructions that lie in the way to his larger development. Undoubtedly this is a rational method of procedure, and the one most likely to reward his effort; for it is only in proportion as we become interested in ourselves that we enlist the interest of others, and only in proportion as we respect ourselves that we command the respect of others. The story is told of a Negro who, at some time during the War of the Rebellion, being asked why he did not enlist in the army, replied: "De Norf and de Souf am two dogs fightin' over a bone. De nigger am de bone and takes no part in de conflict." That this is not the language of an intelligent Negro is quite evident, if, indeed, it be the language of a Negro at all. So common has it been in this country to caricature the black man, to represent him as a driveler in speech and a buffoon in action, that I am always loath to accept as his those many would-be-witty sayings which, too often, originating with others, have been attributed to him. But be the author of that remark whosoever he may, one thing now is perfectly apparent--the Negro has reached beyond the "bone" stage. He is no longer content with being a passive observer, a quiet looker-on, while his character and interests are under discussion. He is now disposed to speak for himself, to "take part in the conflict." Any one desiring evidence of this will find it in the following pages of "Twentieth Century Negro Literature."

This book will do good. It will enlighten many of both races on topics respecting which they seem to be profoundly ignorant. Not very long ago a Negro delivered an address in one of the largest churches in Atlanta. It was an occasion in which a goodly number of white people was present. They expressed themselves as being delighted. One man said to a colored bishop that he didn't know there was a Negro in the state that could have delivered such an address. The fact is, both the good bishop and the writer of these lines might have found him twenty who could, at least, deliver an address as good, and ten, probably, who could deliver a better. Well, we don't know each other--we white and black folk. We are neighbors, yet strangers. Our thoughts, our motives, our desires are unknown to each other. Between the best white and black people, in whom alone vests the possibility of a rational and peaceful solution of the race question, there is absolutely no communication, no opportunity for exchange of views. Herein lies the danger; for both people, as a consequence, are suspicious, the one of the other. Not infrequently, with much uncharitableness, we attribute wrong motives to those who are truly our friends. Were we acquainted with one another, as we ought to be, we would doubtless be surprised to discover how little we differ in our thinking with reference to many of the vexed questions confronting us. Indeed, it has always been the belief of the writer, frequently expressed, that neither of the races is as bad as it appears to the other. May we not hope, then, that "Twentieth Century Negro Literature" may have the good fortune of falling into the hands of many white friends.

On the other hand, the book must be stimulating to the Negro people, especially to those of the younger generation, now blessed with large educational privilege. It must awaken in them self-respect, self-reliance, and the ambition to be and to do. By the perusal of its pages they will be led to see more clearly the path of duty, and to feel more sensibly the weight of responsibility resting upon them. The first generation of Negroes after emancipation exhibited to a painful degree the spirit of dependence, an inclination to lean on something and on somebody--now on the politician, now on the philanthropist. The reason for this, of course, is not far to fetch. The spirit of dependence is invariably a characteristic of weakness. It was not to be expected that the first generation emerging from slavery would possess all the heroic qualities. Gradually, however, the Negro is realizing the importance of self-help. Good books, among other agencies, will deepen this impression, and ultimately lead him to imbibe in all its fulness the sentiment of the poet,

"Destiny is not about thee, but within; Thyself must make thyself."

The contributors to this volume are worthy of notice. They are among the best we have. Some of them are personally known to the writer. They are men of experience, scholarly men, shunning rather than courting notoriety--just the class of men to guide a people, alas, too easily led astray by pretentious ignorance. From a number so large and so meritorious it would seem invidious to select any for special mention. It may not be out of place, however, to say a few words with reference to the editor and compiler, Dr. D. W. Culp. Born a slave in Union County, South Carolina, like many a black boy, he has had to forge his way to the front. In 1876 we find him graduating in a class of one from Biddle University--the first college graduate from that school. In the fall of the same year he entered Princeton Theological Seminary, and at the same time pursued studies in philosophy, history, and psychology in the university under the eminent Doctor McCosh. His first appearance in the university was the signal for a display of race prejudice. To the Southern students especially his presence was very obnoxious. Several of them immediately left the college and went home. To the credit of their parents, it should be said, they were led to return. Before the expiration of three years Mr. Culp, by exemplary conduct and good scholarship, won the respect and friendship of the students in both university and seminary, the Southerners included. He was graduated from the seminary in 1879, and immediately found work as pastor under the Freedmen's Board of the Northern Presbyterian Church. He served in the pastorate several years in different states, was for a time principal of a school in Jacksonville, Florida, the largest school in the state. Becoming, however, more and more interested in the physical salvation of his race, he entered upon the study of medicine in the University of Michigan; but was finally graduated with honor from the Ohio Medical University, in 1891, since which time he has followed the practice of medicine. For a passionate love of knowledge, and for persistent effort in trying to secure it, Dr. Culp is a noble and inspiring example to the young and aspiring Negro.

Clark University, South Atlanta, Georgia, December 16, 1901.

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

The writers of this book are one hundred (one for each year in the century) of the most scholarly and prominent Negroes of America.

PAGE ANDERSON, J. H., D. D., Pastor of the A. M. E. Zion Church, Wllkesbarre, Pa. 323 ATKINS, REV. S. G., President of the State Normal and Industrial College of North Carolina 80 BAKER, HON. H. E., Washington, D. C. 399 BIBB, PROF. J. D., A. M., Atlanta, Ga. 449 BLACKSHEAR, MR. E. L., President of Texas Normal and Industrial College, Prairie View, Texas 334 BOWEN, MRS. ARIEL, S. H., Atlanta, Ga. 264 BOWEN, REV. J. W. E, Professor in Gammon Theological Seminary 29 BOWSER, MRS. ROSA D., Teacher in Richmond, Va. 177 BOYD, DR. R. F., Physician and Surgeon, Nashville, Tenn. 215 BRAWLEY, REV. E. M., D. D., Secretary and Expositor of the National Baptist Publishing Company 254 BRAGGS, REV. GEO. F. JR., Rector of Episcopal Church, Baltimore, Md. 356 BROOKS, REV. W. H., D. D., Pastor Nineteenth St. Baptist Church, Washington, D. C. 315 BROWN, REV. S. N., Pastor of Congregational Church, Washington, D.C. 68 BUTLER, HENRY R., A. M., M. D., Atlanta, Ga. 221 CARVER, GEO. W., Professor of Agriculture, Tuskegee Institute 388 CHAPPELLE, REV. W. D., Secretary of Sabbath School Department of the A. M. E. Church 63 CHEATHAM, HON. H. P., Recorder of Deeds, of the District of Columbia 57 CLINTON, BISHOP G. W., A. M. E. Zion Church, Charlotte, N. C. 115 COOPER, E. E. Editor of the Colored American 464 COUNCIL, PROF. W. H., President of Alabama Normal and Mechanical College, Normal, Ala. 325 COX, PROF. J. M., President of the Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Ark. 295 CROMWELL, J. W., Washington, D. C. 291 CROGMAN, W. H., Professor of Greek and Latin, Clark University 7 DAVIS, REV. D. W., Pastor of Baptist Church, Manchester, Va. 38 DAVIS, REV. I. D., Pastor Presbyterian Church, Goodwill, S. C. 124 DUNBAR, MRS. PAUL LAURENCE, Washington, D. C. 139 ELLERSON, REV. L. B., Pastor Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, Fla. 313 FLIPPER, REV. J. S., D. D., Presiding Elder of North Georgia Conference, Atlanta, Ga. 257 FORTUNE, T. T., Editor of The Age, New York City 227 FRANCIS, DR. J. R., Physician and Surgeon, Washington, D. C. 204 FRIERSON, A. U., Professor of Greek, of Biddle University 241 GILBERT, J. W., Professor of Greek in Paine College 190 GILBERT, REV. M. W. D. D., Pastor of Baptist Church, Charleston, S. C. 287 GOODWIN, G. A., Professor in Atlanta Baptist College 132 GREEN, HON. JOHN P., Government Position, Washington, D. C. 89 GRIMKE, REV. F. J., D. D., Pastor of Presbyterian Church, Washington, D. C. 427 HARLLEE, PROF. N. W., Principal of High School, Dallas, Tex. 299 HAWKINS, PROF. J. R., Secretary of Educational Department of the A. M. E. Church 153 HEARD, REV. W. H., D. D., Pastor of Allen Temple, Atlanta, Ga. 442 HEWIN, J. T., Attorney, Richmond, Va. 110 HILYER, ANDREW F., Washington, D. C. 375 HOLSEY, BISHOP L. H., C. M. E. Church, Atlanta, Ga. 46 HOOD, BISHOP J. W., of A. M. E. Zion Church, Fayetteville, N. C. 51 HUNT, H. A., Principal of Industrial Department of Biddle University 394 JACKSON, MISS LENA T., Teacher of Latin in High School, Nashville, Tenn. 304 JOHNSON, REV. J. Q., D. D. 270 JOHNSON, PROF. J. W., Principal of Grammar School, Jacksonville, Fla. 72 JOHNSON, REV. H. T., D. D., Editor of Christian Recorder 186 JONES, PROF. J. H., President of Wilberforce University 83 JONES, T. W., Prominent business man, Chicago, Ill. 370 JORDAN, D. J., Professor in Morris Brown College 129 KERR, REV. S., Rector of Episcopal Church, Key West, Fla. 320 KNOX, GEO. L., Editor of the Freeman 454 LEWIS, PROF. W. I., Reporter for Evening Metropolis, Jacksonville, Fla. 272 LOGAN, MRS. WARREN, Tuskegee Institute 199 LOVINGGOOD, PROF. R. S., President of Samuel Houston College, Austin, Tex. 48 MASON, MRS. LENA, The Evangelist, Hannibal, Mo. 445 MASON, REV. M. C. B., Secretary of the Freemen Board of the M. E. Church 34 McCLELLAN, PROF. G. M., Teacher in High School, Louisville, Ky. 275 MILLER, KELLY, Professor of Mathematics in Howard University 158 MORGAN, REV. J. H., Minister, Bordentown, N. J. 383 MORRIS, REV. E. C., D. D., Editor of National Baptist Publishing Co., Helena, Ark. 259 MURRAY, HON. G. W., Providence, S. C. 231 ONLEY, D. W., D. D., Dentist, Washington, D. C. 347 PARTEE, REV. W. E., D. D., Pastor of Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Va. 309 PETERSON, B. H., Professor at Tuskegee Institute 236 PETTIFORD, W. R., President Alabama Penny Savings and Loan Co., Birmingham, Ala. 468 PETTEY, MRS. BISHOP C. C., Newbern, N. C. 182 PORTER, J. R., D. D. S., Atlanta, Ga. 191 PROCTOR, REV. H. H., Pastor of Congregational Church., Atlanta, Ga. 317 PURCELL, I. L., Attorney, Pensacola, Fla. 104 RICHARDSON, PROF. A. ST. GEORGE, President of Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Fla. 330 ROBINSON, G. T., Attorney, Nashville, Tenn. 108 ROBINSON, PROF. R. G., Principal of LaGrange Academy 302 RUCKER, HON. H. A., Internal Revenue Collector for Georgia, Atlanta, Ga. 202 SCARBOROUGH, W. S., Professor of Greek of Wilberforce University 414 SMITH, MRS. M. E. C., Teacher in Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Fla. 246 SMITH, R. S., Attorney, Washington, D. C. 92 SMYTH, PROF. J. H., President of Reformatory School of Virginia, Hanover, Va. 434 SPRAGUE, MRS. ROSETTA DOUGLASS, Washington, D. C. 167 STORUM, PROF. JAMES, Teacher in High School, Washington, D. C. 75 TALBERT, MARY B., Buffalo, N. Y. 17 TALLEY, T. W., Professor of Science, Tuskegee Institute 338 TERRELL, MRS. MARY CHURCH, Washington, D. C. 172 THOMPSON, R. W., Associate Editor of the Colored American 351 TUCKER, PROF. T. de S., Baltimore, Md. 418 TURNER, BISHOP H. M., D. D., LL. D., A. M. E. Church, Atlanta, Ga. 42 TURNER, PROF. C. H., Professor of Science in Clark University 162 WALLACE, W. W., Editor of Colored American Magazine 349 WALLER, REV. O. M., Rector of Episcopal Church, Washington, D. C. 363 WALKER, PROF. H. L., Principal High School, Augusta, Ga. 342 WASHINGTON, PROF. BOOKER T., President of Tuskegee Institute 142 WHITAKER, REV. J. W., Traveling Agent for Tuskegee Institute 359 WHITE, HON. GEO. H., Washington, D. C. 224 WILDER, DR. J. R., Physician and Surgeon, Washington, D. C. 210 WILLIAMS, REV. J. B. L., D. D., Pastor of M. E. Church, Fernandina, Fla. 120 WYCHE, REV. R. P., Pastor of Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, N. C. 123 YATES, MRS. JOSEPHINE S., Kansas City, Mo. 21 YOUNG, PROF. N. B., President of Florida State Normal and Industrial College 125

CONTENTS.

THE FOLLOWING TOPICS ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS BOOK BY ONE HUNDRED WRITERS:

TOPIC PAGE

I. DID THE AMERICAN NEGRO MAKE, IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, ACHIEVEMENTS ALONG THE LINES OF WEALTH, MORALITY, EDUCATION, ETC., COMMENSURATE WITH HIS OPPORTUNITIES? IF SO, WHAT ACHIEVEMENTS DID HE MAKE? 17

II. WILL IT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE NEGRO TO ATTAIN, IN THIS COUNTRY, UNTO THE AMERICAN TYPE OF CIVILIZATION? 42

III. HOW CAN THE FRIENDLY RELATIONS NOW EXISTING BETWEEN THE TWO RACES IN THE SOUTH BE STRENGTHENED AND MAINTAINED? 57

IV. SHOULD THE NEGRO BE GIVEN AN EDUCATION DIFFERENT FROM THAT GIVEN TO THE WHITE? 72

V. SHOULD THE IGNORANT AND NON-PROPERTY HOLDING NEGRO BE ALLOWED TO VOTE? 89

VI. IS THE CRIMINAL NEGRO JUSTLY DEALT WITH IN THE COURTS OF THE SOUTH? 92

VII. TO WHAT EXTENT IS THE NEGRO PULPIT UPLIFTING THE RACE? 115

VIII. IS IT TIME FOR THE NEGRO COLLEGES IN THE SOUTH TO BE PUT INTO THE HANDS OF NEGRO TEACHERS? 125

IX. WILL THE EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO SOLVE THE RACE PROBLEM? 142