Twentieth Century Negro Literature

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faithfully as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings and other
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TWENTIETH CENTURY
NEGRO LITERATURE

OR

_A CYCLOPEDIA OF THOUGHT_
ON THE
_VITAL TOPICS RELATING_
_TO THE AMERICAN NEGRO_

BY
ONE HUNDRED OF AMERICA'S
GREATEST NEGROES

EDITED AND ARRANGED
BY
D. W. CULP, A. M., M. D.
AN AUTHOR AND LECTURER, ETC.

_COPIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED_
WITH
_One Hundred Fine Photo Engravings_

PUBLISHED BY
J. L. NICHOLS & CO.
MANUFACTURING PUBLISHERS
ON THE EXCLUSIVE TERRITORY PLAN

TORONTO, CAN.
NAPERVILLE, ILL.
ATLANTA, GA.

COPYRIGHT 1902 BY J. L. NICHOLS & CO.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

SOLD ONLY ON SUBSCRIPTION THROUGH OUR AUTHORIZED
AGENTS AND NOT TO BE HAD IN BOOKSTORES. ANY ONE
DESIRING A COPY SHOULD ADDRESS THE PUBLISHERS.

[Illustration: Dr. D. W. Culp]

Dedication.

To all persons of whatever race and of whatever section of our country,
who in any way contributed, in the Nineteenth Century,
to the financial, intellectual, moral and spiritual elevation
of the Negro,
the editor dedicates this book with the ardent hope,
that before this century shall have ended,
the Negro,
through his own manly efforts,
aided by his friends,
shall reach that point in the American civilization,
where he will be recognized and treated as any other American citizen.

PREFACE

The idea of putting this book on the market originated in the
following considerations:

_First._ There is considerable ignorance, on the part of the white
people of this country, of the intellectual ability of the Negro, and,
as a consequence, the educated Negro does not receive, at the hands of
the whites, that respectful consideration to which his education
entitles him.

_Second._ At this time, when the attainments made in the nineteenth
century by the other races and nationalities are being paraded, the
friends of the Negro are particularly interested to know something of
the attainments made by him in that century.

_Third._ There is a strong desire, on the part of those white people
who are deeply interested in the American race problem, to know what
the educated Negroes are thinking on the topics touching this problem,
since it is believed that, if this problem is to be correctly solved,
it will be solved by the combined efforts of the intelligent elements
of both races.

_Fourth._ A book, in which the aspiring Negro youth of the land can
study the character sketches and the literary productions of the
scholarly men of their own race along with their study of the
character sketches and the choice literary productions of the
scholarly white men of the country, is a desideratum.

_Fifth._ The majority of the Negroes need to be enlightened on those
vital topics relating to themselves, and on those questions touching
their development in civilization.

The object of this book is, therefore: (1) To enlighten the uninformed
white people on the intellectual ability of the Negro. (2) To give to
those, who are interested in the Negro race, a better idea of the
extent to which he contributed to the promotion of America's
civilization, and of the intellectual attainments made by him in the
nineteenth century. (3) To reflect the views of the most scholarly and
prominent Negroes of America on those topics, touching the Negro, that
are now engaging the attention of the civilized world. (4) To point
out, to the aspiring Negro youth, those men and women of their own
race who, by their scholarship, by their integrity of character, and
by their earnest efforts in the work of uplifting their own race, have
made themselves illustrious; also, to enlighten such youth on those
ethical, political, and sociological questions, touching the Negro
that will sooner or later engage their attention. (5) To enlighten the
Negroes on that perplexing problem, commonly called the "Race
Problem," that has necessarily grown out of their contact with their
ex-masters and their descendants; and also to stimulate them to make
greater efforts to ascend to that plane of civilization occupied by
the other enlightened peoples of the world.

Now, among all the books on the Negro, there is none whose object is
so worthy, comprehensive, and specific as that above set forth. In
this the superiority of this book to all others, on the Negro, may be
seen. And the superior value of this book is also apparent from the
following considerations: (1) This is the only book in which there is
such a magnificent array of Negro talent. Other Negro books of a
biographical character are objected to, by the intelligent people who
have read them, on the ground that they contain too few sketches of
scholarly Negroes, and too many of Negroes of ordinary ability. But
such a criticism cannot be made on this book since, as a matter of
fact, all of the one hundred men and women, appearing in it, are among
the best educated Negroes in the world. (2) This is the only book from
which one can get anything like a definite and correct idea of the
progress made by the Negro since his Emancipation along all lines. (3)
There is no book but this one in which there can be found expressed
the thoughts of any considerable number of educated Negroes on so many
political, religious, civil, moral and sociological problems touching
the Negro, which are interesting alike to the politician, the moralist
and the sociologist.

But it is not to be understood that the one hundred men and women
mentioned in this book are the only Negro scholars in this country. So
far from this, there are hundreds of other Negroes who are as
scholarly, as prominent and as active in the work of uplifting their
race as the one hundred herein given. These one hundred appear here,
rather than others, for no other reason than that they are better
known to the editor. Now, in sending forth this book, the editor
ardently hopes that it will not only accomplish the objects herein set
forth, but that it will also do much towards bringing about a better
understanding between the two races in the South.

D. W. CULP, Palatka, Fla.

[Illustration: W. H. Crogman, A. M.]

PROF. W. H. CROGMAN, A. M.

Prof. W. H. Crogman, A. M., who occupies the chair of Greek
and Latin in Clark University, Atlanta, in Christian
character, scholarship in his department, literary ability,
general culture and distinguished services stands, it is
safe to say, among the first four, if not at the head of the
Negro race. In all the particulars mentioned, he would honor
a professorship in any college in the land.

Prof. Crogman was born on the island of St. Martin, May 5,
1841. In 1855, Mr. B. L. Boomer, chief mate of the vessel,
visiting the island, became interested in the boy, then an
orphan, and induced him to come to the United States. Mr.
Boomer took him to his home in Middleboro, Mass., sent him
to district school in the winter, and always took great
interest in him. Mr. Boomer's brothers were all seafaring
men, captains or officers of vessels. With one of these the
boy, Willie, began to follow the sea. This beginning
afterward led to a life of eleven years on the ocean. He
visited many lands, and observant and thoughtful, obtained a
wide knowledge of various nationalities and parts of the
world. His visits included especially England, various
points on the Continent of Europe, Calcutta and Bombay in
Asia, various places in South America and Australia.

In 1866, at the suggestion of Mr. Boomer, that an academic
education would make him useful, Prof. Crogman, then at the
age of twenty-five, began to earn means to attend an
academy. He worked and laid by money till two years later in
1868, he entered Pierce Academy, in Middleboro, Mass. He
remained there two years, taking an English course with
French and bookkeeping.

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