The American Negro: What He Was, what He Is, and what He May Become; a Critical and Practical Discussion

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Macmillan, 1901 - African Americans - 440 pages
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Page 35 - If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could do it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.
Page 69 - ... the system of working at the war office it will be possible to reduce expenditure to any appreciable degree. It may be possible to save a few thousand pounds here and there ; in our system of working the army clothing department, for instance, it may be possible to introduce many minor economies ; but the crux of the whole matter lies in the fact that an army recruited by voluntary enlistment must be paid a wage equal to the standard wage for unskilled labor throughout the country, or must accept...
Page 176 - All who know the Negro recognize, however, that the chief and overpowering element in his make-up is an imperious sexual impulse which, aroused at the slightest incentive, sweeps aside all restraints in the pursuit of physical gratification. We may say now that this element of Negro character constitutes the main incitement to degeneracy of the race and is the chief hindrance to its social uplifting.
Page 10 - Any person or persons who shall attempt to teach any free person of color or slave to spell, read, or write, shall, upon conviction thereof by indictment, be fined in a sum not less than $250, nor more than $500.
Page 11 - That if any Slave shall presume to strike any White Person, such Slave upon Trial and Conviction before the Justice or Justices according to the directions of this Act shall for the first...
Page 28 - When the entire abolition of slavery takes place, it will be an event which must be pleasing to every generous mind, and every friend of human nature ; but we often wish for things which are not attainable.
Page 13 - Violence made him a slave, and the habit of servitude gives him the thoughts and desires of a slave; he admires his tyrants more than he hates them, and finds his joy and his pride in the servile imitation of those who oppress him: his understanding is degraded to the level of his soul.
Page 27 - I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that his justice cannot sleep forever.
Page 29 - I thought, till very lately that it was known to every body that, during the Revolution, and for many years after, the abolition of slavery was a favorite topic with many of our ablest Statesmen, who entertained with respect all the schemes which wisdom or ingenuity could suggest for its accomplishment.
Page 146 - Religion consists in the perception of the infinite under such manifestations as are able to influence the moral character of man

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