In addition to all that I have said concerning your duties, I wish to add that no workman, no laboring man, can afford to violate the laws of the land. If laws are oppressive, you have your remedy at the ballot box, and not in evasion or violation. Government is ordained of God, and is necessary to the happiness and protection of man. No man has a right to disobey the laws of the land. Disobedience creates disorder. Disorder leads to anarchy and riot. Then who is safe? Whose property at any moment may not be destroyed? As stated above, it is not a question of the origin of the races, or a comparison of capacities, but can the Negro make a good citizen? This is the problem in this connection. The answer which the Negro is giving, must be gratifying to all good men.
"Honor and shame from no condition rise,
Act well your part—there all the honor lies."
"Victory and defeat.
Joy and grief—
'Tis these that make the warp
And woof of human life. But
Be faithful to right and duty,
And you will have done
Something to make the whole world better."