THE STORY OF A RISING RACE THE NEGRO IN REVELATION, IN HISTORY WHAT THE RACE HAS DONE AND IS DOING IN ARMS, ARTS, LETTERS, THE PULPIT, THE FORUM, THE AND WITH THOSE MIGHTY WEAPONS IN THE BATTLE OF LIFE A MESSAGE TO ALL MEN THAT HE IS IN THE WAY TO BY REV. J. J. PIPKIN WITH INTRODUCTION BY GEN. JOHN B. GORDON Former Major-General Confederate Army, United States Senator from Georgia, Author War Reminiscences," Etc. NOT A TERM OF REPROACH. Supposing that this term (negro) was originally used as a phrase of contempt, is it not with us to elevate it? How often has it not happened that names originally given in reproach have been afterward adopted as a title of honor by those against whom they were used, as Methodists, Quakers, etc.? But as a proof that no unfavorable signification attached to the word when first employed, I may mention that long before the slave trade began travelers found the blacks on the coast of Africa preferring to be called Negroes. . And in all the pre slave trade iiterature the word was spelled with a capital N. It was the slavery of the blacks that brought the term into disrepute and now that slavery is abolished, it should be restored to its original place and legitimate use. -Dr. Edward W. Blyden. It is not wise, to say the least, for intelligent Negroes in America to seek to drop the word "Negro." It is a good, strong and healthy word, and ought to live. It should be covered with glory: let Negroes do it. -George W. Williams. |