historic people are found in the ancient classics. So far as I can
discover, the prejudice against color is of modern origin.

"I believe that at no very distant day the slaves will be liberated, and
that the Almighty will be the avenger of their wrongs.

"I turn now to consider the second aspect of this subject. When a
colored man is wise enough and courageous enough to embrace the views
which I have presented, he may still be compelled, as a part of his lot
in life, to submit to the assumption that he is inferior. It is hard to
live in this way in the shadow of a great lie, but it is better than to
have the iron enter more deeply into the soul, so as to compel _belief_
of the lie, as is the case with millions of human beings. When the
spirit is enfranchised I can understand that one may lead a very noble
life in cheerfully submitting to the inevitable misfortune. There are a
few colored men who thus recognize the truth, and yet bow to the great
sorrow, which they cannot escape, with noble and manly fortitude. I
confess that I have entertained thoughts of attempting such a life. I
think I could do so if I could see that any great good would be
accomplished by it. But my experience here has taught me that any such
sacrifice is not required of me. I find that it is not to the advantage
of the colored people to be taught at present. They tell me that as they
grow in knowledge their degradation becomes more apparent to them, and
their sufferings greater. They leave the school with the impression that
for them ignorance rather than knowledge is the road to happiness. I
cannot deny the truth of their reasoning. If they could be raised above
the sense of degradation from which they suffer, it would be different.
But, apparently, this cannot be done. It is at least impossible in the
few years which can be given to their instruction in the schools now
provided for their education. The prevailing sentiment among them is