self-made man - frederick douglas

7/27/2019 Self-Made Man - Frederick Douglas

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SelfMadeMenbyFrederickDouglass(1872)

Thesubject

announced

for

this

evening's

entertainment

is

not

new.

Man

in

one

form

or

another,

hasbeenafrequentandfruitfulsubjectforthepress,thepulpitandtheplatform.Thissubjecthas

come up for consideration under a variety of attractive titles, such as "Great Men,"

"RepresentativeMen,""PeculiarMen,""ScientificMen,""LiteraryMen,""SuccessfulMen,""Men

ofGenius,"and"MenoftheWorld;"butunderwhatevernameordesignation,thevitalpointof

interest in thediscussionhaseverbeen the same,and that is,manhood itself,and this in its

broadestandmostcomprehensivesense.

Thetendencytotheuniversal,insuchdiscussion,isaltogethernaturalandallcontrolling:forwhen

weconsider

what

man,

as

awhole,

is;

what

he

has

been;

what

he

aspires

to

be,

and

what,

by

a

wiseandvigorouscultivationofhisfaculties,hemayyetbecome,weseethatitleadsirresistibly

tothisbroadviewofhimasasubjectofthoughtandinquiry.

Thesayingofthepoetthat"Theproperstudyofmankindisman,"andwhichhasbeenthestarting

pointofsomany lectures,essaysandspeeches,holds itsplace, likeallothergreatutterances,

becauseitcontainsagreattruthandatruthalikeforeveryageandgenerationofmen.Itisalways

newandcannevergrowold.Itisneitherdimmedbytimenortarnishedbyrepetition;forman,

both

in

respect

of

himself

and

of

his

species,

is

now,

and

evermore

will

be,

the

center

of

unsatisfied

humancuriosity.

Thepleasurewederivefromanydepartmentofknowledgeislargelyduetotheglimpsewhichit

givesusofourownnature.Wemay travel farover landand sea,braveall climates,dareall

dangers,endureallhardships,tryalllatitudesandlongitudes;wemaypenetratetheearth,sound

theocean'sdepthsandseepthehollowskywithourglasses,inthepursuitofotherknowledge;

wemaycontemplatetheglorious landscapegemmedbyforest, lakeandriveranddottedwith

peacefulhomesandquietherds;wemaywhirlawaytothegreatcities,allaglowwith lifeand

enterprise;we

may

mingle

with

the

imposing

assemblages

of

wealth

and

power;

we

may

visit

the

hallswhereArtworkshermiraclesinmusic,speechandcolor,andwhereScienceunbarsthegates

tohigherplanesofcivilization;butnomatterhowradiantthecolors,howenchantingthemelody,

howgorgeousandsplendid thepageant:manhimself,witheyes turned inwarduponhisown

wondrousattributesandpowerssurpassesthemall.Asinglehumansoulstandinghereuponthe

marginwecalltime,overlooking,inthevastnessofitsrange,thesolemnpastwhichcanneither

berecallednorremodeled,everchafingagainst finite limitations,entangledwith interminable


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contradictions,eagerlyseekingtoscantheinvisiblepastandpiercethecloudsanddarknessofthe

evermysteriousfuture,hasattractionsforthoughtandstudy,morenumerousandpowerfulthan

allotherobjectsbeneath thesky.Tohuman thoughtand inquiryhe isbroader thanallvisible

worlds, loftierthanallheightsanddeeperthanalldepths.Were Icalledupontopointoutthe

broadestandmostpermanentdistinctionbetweenmankindandotheranimals,itwouldbethis;

theirearnest

desire

for

the

fullest

knowledge

of

human

nature

on

all

its

many

sides.

The

importanceof thisknowledge is immeasurable,andbynoother ishuman lifesoaffectedand

colored.Nothingcanbringtomansomuchofhappinessorsomuchofmiseryasmanhimself.

Todayheexaltshimself toheavenbyhisvirtuesandachievements; tomorrowhesmiteswith

sadnessandpain,byhiscrimesandfollies.Butwhetherexaltedordebased,charitableorwicked;

whethersaintorvillain,priestorprize fighter; ifonlyhebegreat inhis line,he isanunfailing

sourceof interest,asoneofacommonbrotherhood; for thebestman finds inhisbreast the

evidenceofkinshipwiththeworst,andtheworstwiththebest.Confrontuswitheitherextreme

andyouwillrivetourattentionandfixusinearnestcontemplation,forourchiefdesireistoknow

what

there

is

in

man

and

to

know

him

at

all

extremes

and

ends

and

opposites,

and

for

this

knowledge,orthewantofit,wewillfollowhimfromthegatesoflifetothegatesofdeath,and

beyondthem.

Frommancomesallthatweknoworcanimagineofheavenandearth,oftimeandeternity.Heis

theprolificconstituterofmanners,morals,religionsandgovernments.Hespinsthemoutasthe

spider spins hisweb, and they are coarse or fine, kind or cruel, according to the degree of

intelligencereachedbyhimattheperiodoftheirestablishment.Hecompelsustocontemplate

hispastwithwonderandtosurveyhisfuturewithmuchthesamefeelingsasthosewithwhich

Columbusis

supposed

to

have

gazed

westward

over

the

sea.

It

is

the

faith

of

the

race

that

in

man

thereexistsfaroutlyingcontinentsofpower,thoughtandfeeling,whichremaintobediscovered,

explored,cultivated,madepracticalandglorified.

Mr.Emersonhasdeclaredthatitisnaturaltobelieveingreatmen.Whetherthisisafact,ornot,

wedobelieveinthemandworshipthem.TheVisibleGodoftheNewTestamentisrevealedtous

asamanoflikepassionswithourselves.Weseekoutourwisestandbestman,themanwho,by

eloquenceor the sword compelsus tobelievehim such,andmakehimour leader,prophet,

preacherandlawgiver.Wedothis,notbecauseheisessentiallydifferentfromus,butbecauseof

hisidentity

with

us.

He

is

our

best

representative

and

reflects,

on

acolossal

scale,

the

scale

to

whichwewouldaspire,ourhighestaims,objects,powersandpossibilities.

Thisnaturalreverenceforallthat isgreat inman,andthistendencytodeifyandworshiphim,

thoughnaturalandthesourceofman'selevation,hasnotalwaysshownitselfwisebuthasoften

shown itselffarotherwisethanwise.Ithasoftengivenusawickedrulerforarighteousone,a


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falseprophetforatrueone,acorruptpreacherforapureone,amanofwarforamanofpeace,

andadistortedandvengefulimageofGodforanimageofjusticeandmercy.

Butitisnotmypurposetoattempthereanycomprehensiveandexhaustivetheoryorphilosophy

orthe

nature

of

manhood

in

all

the

range

Ihave

indicated.

Iam

here

to

speak

to

you

of

apeculiar

typeofmanhoodunderthetitleofSelfMadeMen.

Thatthere is, inmorerespectsthanone,something likeasolecism in thistitle, I freelyadmit.

Properlyspeaking,thereare intheworldnosuchmenasselfmademen.Thatterm impliesan

individualindependenceofthepastandpresentwhichcanneverexist.

Our

best

and

most

valued

acquisitions

have

been

obtained

either

from

our

contemporaries

or

fromthosewhohaveprecededusinthefieldofthoughtanddiscovery.Wehavealleitherbegged,

borrowedorstolen.Wehavereapedwhereothershavesown,andthatwhichothershavestrewn,

wehavegathered. Itmust in truthbe said, though itmaynotaccordwellwith selfconscious

individualityandselfconceit,thatnopossiblenativeforceofcharacter,andnodepthofwealth

andoriginality,canliftamanintoabsoluteindependenceofhisfellowmen,andnogenerationof

mencanbeindependentoftheprecedinggeneration.Thebrotherhoodandinterdependenceof

mankindareguardedanddefendedatallpoints.Ibelieveinindividuality,butindividualsare,to

themass,likewavestotheocean.Thehighestorderofgeniusisasdependentasisthelowest.It,

liketheloftiestwavesofthesea,derivesitspowerandgreatnessfromthegrandeurandvastness

ofthe

ocean

of

which

it

forms

apart.

We

differ

as

the

waves,

but

are

one

as

the

sea.

To

do

somethingwelldoesnotnecessarilyimplytheabilitytodoeverythingelseequallywell.Ifyoucan

doinonedirectionthatwhichIcannotdo,Imayinanotherdirection,beabletodothatwhich

you cannot do. Thus the balance of power is kept comparatively even, and a selfacting

brotherhoodandinterdependenceismaintained.

Nevertheless,thetitleofmylectureiseminentlydescriptiveofaclassandis,moreover,afitand

convenientone formypurpose, in illustrating the ideawhich Ihave in view. In the orderof

discussionIshalladoptthestyleofanoldfashionedpreacherandhavea"firstly,"a"secondly,"a

"thirdly,"a"fourthly"and,possibly,a"conclusion."

Myfirstis,"Whoareselfmademen?"Mysecondis,"Whatisthetruetheoryoftheirsuccess?"

Mythird is,"Theadvantageswhichselfmademenderivefromthemannersand institutionsof

theirsurroundings,"andmyfourthis,"Thegroundsofthecriticismtowhichtheyare,asaclass,

especiallyexposed."


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Onthe firstpoint Imaysay that,bytheterm"selfmademen," Imeanespeciallywhat, tothe

popularmind,thetermleastimports.Selfmademenarethemenwho,underpeculiardifficulties

andwithouttheordinaryhelpsoffavoringcircumstances,haveattainedknowledge,usefulness,

powerand

position

and

have

learned

from

themselves

the

best

uses

to

which

life

can

be

put

in

thisworld,andintheexercisesoftheseusestobuildupworthycharacter.Theyarethemenwho

owelittleornothingtobirth,relationship,friendlysurroundings;towealthinheritedortoearly

approvedmeansofeducation;whoarewhattheyare,withouttheaidofanyfavoringconditions

bywhichothermenusuallyriseintheworldandachievegreatresults.Infacttheyarethemen

whoarenotbroughtupbutwhoareobligedtocomeup,notonlywithoutthevoluntaryassistance

orfriendlycooperationofsociety,butoften inopenandderisivedefianceofalltheeffortsof

societyandthetendencyofcircumstancestorepress,retardandkeepthemdown.Theyarethe

menwho,inaworldofschools,academies,collegesandotherinstitutionsoflearning,areoften

compelled by unfriendly circumstances to acquire their education elsewhere and, amidst

unfavorableconditions,

to

hew

out

for

themselves

away

to

success,

and

thus

to

become

the

architectsoftheirowngoodfortunes.Theyare inapeculiarsense, indebtedtothemselvesfor

themselves.Iftheyhavetraveledfar,theyhavemadetheroadonwhichtheyhavetravelled.If

theyhaveascendedhigh,theyhavebuilttheirown ladder.Fromthedepthsofpovertysuchas

thesehaveoftencome.Fromtheheartlesspavementsoflargeandcrowdedcities;barefooted,

homeless,andfriendless,theyhavecome.Fromhunger,ragsanddestitution,theyhavecome;

motherlessandfatherless,theyhavecome,andmaycome.Flungoverboardinthemidnightstorm

onthebroadandtempesttossedoceanoflife;leftwithoutropes,planks,oarsorlifepreservers,

theyhavebravelybuffetedthefrowningbillowsandhaverisen insafetyand lifewhereothers,

suppliedwiththebestappliancesforsafetyandsuccess,havefainted,despairedandgonedown

forever.

Suchmenasthese,whetherfound inonepositionoranother,whether inthecollegeor inthe

factory;whetherprofessorsorplowmen;whetherCaucasianorIndian;whetherAngloSaxonor

AngloAfrican,areselfmademenandareentitledtoacertainmeasureofrespectfortheirsuccess

andforprovingtotheworldthegrandestpossibilitiesofhumannature,ofwhatevervarietyof

raceorcolor.

Thoughamanofthisclassneednotclaimtobeaheroortobeworshipedassuch,thereisgenuine

heroisminhisstruggleandsomethingofsublimityandgloryinhistriumph.Everyinstanceofsuch

success is an example and a help to humanity. It, better than anymere assertion, gives us

assuranceofthelatentpowersandresourcesofsimpleandunaidedmanhood.Itdignifieslabor,

honorsapplication,lessenspainanddepression,dispelsgloomfromthebrowofthedestituteand

wearinessfromtheheartofhimabouttofaint,andenablesmantotakeholdoftheroughestand


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flintiesthardshipsincidenttothebattleoflife,withalighterheart,withhigherhopesandalarger

courage.

ButIcomeatoncetothesecondpartofmysubject,whichrespectstheTheoryofSelfMadeMen.

"Uponwhatmeatdoththis,ourCaesar,feed,hehathgrownsogreat?"Howhappensitthatthe

cottagerisoftenfoundequaltothelord,andthat,intheraceoflife,thesonsofthepooroften

getevenwith,andsurpasseven,thesonsoftherich?Howhappensitfromthefieldoftencome

statesmenequaltothosefromthecollege?Iamsorrytosaythat,uponthisinterestingpoint,I

canpromise nothing absolutenor anythingwhichwill beentirely satisfactory and conclusive.

Burnssays:

"Iseehowfolkslivethathaveriches,

Butsurelypoorfolksmaunbewitches."

Thevariousconditionsofmenandthedifferentusestheymakeoftheirpowersandopportunities

inlife,arefullofpuzzlingcontrastsandcontradictions.Here,aselsewhere,itiseasytodogmatize,

butitisnotsoeasytodefine,explainanddemonstrate.Thenaturallawsforthegovernment,well

beingandprogressofmankind,seemtobeequalandareequal;butthesubjectsoftheselaws

everywhereaboundininequalities,discordsandcontrasts.Wecannothavefruitwithoutflowers,

butweoftenhaveflowerswithoutfruit.Thepromiseofyouthoftenbreaksdown inmanhood,

andrealexcellenceoftencomesunheraldedandfromunexpectedquarters.

Thescenepresentedfromthisviewisasathousandarrowsshotfromthesamepointandaimed

atthesameobject.United inaim,theyaredivided inflight.Someflytoohigh,otherstoo low.

Somegototheright,otherstotheleft.Someflytoofarandothers,notfarenough,andonlya

fewhit themark.Such is life.United in thequiver, theyaredivided in theair.Matchedwhen

dormant,theyareunmatchedinaction.

Whenweattempttoaccountforgreatnesswenevergetnearertothetruththandidthegreatest

ofpoetsandphilosopherswhenheclassifiedtheconditionsofgreatness:Someareborngreat,

someachievegreatnessandsomehavegreatnessthrustuponthem.Wemaytakeourchoiceof

thesethreeseparateexplanationsandmakewhichofthemweplease,mostprominent inour

discussion.Muchcancertainlybesaidofsuperiormentalendowments,and Ishouldonsome


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accounts,leanstronglytothattheory,butfornumerousexampleswhichseem,anddo,contradict

it,andforthedepressingtendencysuchatheorymusthaveonhumanitygenerally.

This theoryhas truth in it,but it isnot thewhole truth.Menofveryordinary facultieshave,

nevertheless,made

avery

respectable

way

in

the

world

and

have

sometimes

presented

even

brilliantexamplesof success.On theotherhand,what is called genius isoften foundby the

wayside,amiserablewreck; themoredeplorableandshockingbecause from theheight from

whichithasfallenandthelossandruininvolvedinthefall.Thereis,perhaps,acompensationin

disappointmentand inthecontradictionofmeanstoendsandpromisetoperformance.These

implyaconstanteffortonthepartofnaturetoholdthebalancebetweenallherchildrenandto

bringsuccesswithinthereachofthehumblestaswellasofthemostexalted.

From

apparently

the

basest

metals

we

have

the

finest

toned

bells,

and

we

are

taught

respect

from

simplemanhoodwhenweseehow,fromthevariousdregsofsociety,therecomemenwhomay

wellberegardedastheprideandasthewatchtowersoftherace.

Steelisimprovedbylayingondampground,andtherustyrazorgetsakeeneredgeaftergivingits

drosstothedirtinwhichithasbeenallowedtolieneglectedandforgotten.Inlikemanner,too,

humanity,thoughitlayamongtheports,coveredwiththedustofneglectandpoverty,maystill

retainthedivineimpulseandtheelementofimprovementandprogress.Itisnaturaltorevoltat

squalor,butwemaywellrelaxourlipofscornandcontemptwhenwestandamongthelowlyand

despised,for

out

of

the

rags

of

the

meanest

cradle

there

may

come

agreat

man

and

this

is

a

treasurericherthanallthewealthoftheOrient.

Idonotthinkmuchofthegoodlucktheoryofselfmademen.Itisworthbutlittleattentionand

hasnopracticalvalue.Anapplecarelesslyflung intoacrowdmayhitoneperson,or itmayhit

another,oritmayhitnobody.Theprobabilitiesarepreciselythesameinthisaccidenttheoryof

selfmademen. Itdivorcesaman fromhisownachievements,contemplateshimasabeingof

chanceand leaveshimwithoutwill,motive,ambitionandaspiration.Yettheaccidenttheory is

amongthemostpopulartheoriesofindividualsuccess.Ithasaboutittheairofmysterywhichthe

multitudessowelllike,andwithal,itdoessomethingtomarthecomplacencyofthesuccessful.

Itisoneoftheeasiestandcommonestthingsintheworldforasuccessfulmantobefollowedin

hiscareerthrough lifeandtohaveconstantlypointedoutthisorthatparticularstrokeofgood

fortunewhichfixedhisdestinyandmadehimsuccessful.Ifnotourselvesgreat,weliketoexplain

whyothersareso.Wearestingy inourpraisetomerit,butgenerous inourpraisetochance.


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Besides,amanfeelshimselfmeasurablygreatwhenhecanpointouttheprecisemomentand

circumstancewhichmadehisneighborgreat.Heeasilyfanciesthattheslightdifferencebetween

himselfandhisfriendissimplyoneofluck.Itwashisfriendwhowasluckybutitmighteasilyhave

beenhimself.Thentoo,thenextbestthingtosuccessisavalidapologyfornonsuccess.Detraction

is,tomany,adeliciousmorsel.Theexcellencewhichitloudlydeniestoothersitsilentlyclaimsfor

itself.It

possesses

the

means

of

covering

the

small

with

the

glory

of

the

great.

It

adds

to

failure

thatwhichittakesfromsuccessandshortensthedistancebetweenthoseinfrontandthosein

therear.Evenherethereisanupwardtendencyworthyofnoticeandrespect.Thekitchenisever

thecriticoftheparlor.Thetalkofthosebelowisofthoseabove.Weimitatethosewerevereand

admire.

Butthemainobjectiontothisverycomfortabletheoryisthat,likemostothertheories,itismade

toexplaintoomuch.Whileitascribessuccesstochanceandfriendlycircumstances, itisaptto

take

no

cognizance

of

the

very

different

uses

to

which

different

men

put

their

circumstances

and

theirchances.

Fortunemaycrowdamanslifewithfortunatecircumstancesandhappyopportunities,butthey

will,asweallknow,availhimnothingunlesshemakesawiseandvigoroususeofthem.Itdoes

notmatterthatthewindisfairandthetideatitsflood,ifthemarinerrefusestoweighhisanchor

andspreadhiscanvastothebreeze.Thegoldenharvest isripe invain ifthefarmerrefusesto

reap.Opportunityisimportantbutexertionisindispensable."Thereisatideintheaffairsofmen

which,takenatitsflood,leadsontofortune;"butitmustbetakenatitsflood.

Withinthisrealmofman'sbeing,aselsewhere,Scienceisdiffusingitsbroad,beneficentlight.As

this light increases,dependenceuponchanceor luck isdestined tovanishand thewisdomof

adaptingmeanstoends,tobecomemoremanifest.

Itwasoncemorecommonthanitisnow,tohearmanreligiouslyascribingtheirgoodorillfortune

directly tosupernatural intervention.Successand failure,wealthandpoverty, intelligenceand

ignorance,libertyandslavery,happinessandmisery,wereallbestowedorinflicteduponindividual

men by a divine hand and for allwise purposes.Manwas, by such reasoners,made a very

insignificantagentinhisownaffairs.ItwasalltheLord'sdoingsandmarveloustohumaneyes.Of

coursealongwiththissuperstitioncamethefortuneteller,thepretendertodivinationsandthe

miracleworkingpriestwhocouldsavefromfaminebyprayingeasierthanbyunderdrainingdeep

plowing.


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Insuchmatterawisemanhaslittleuseforaltarsororacle.HeknowsthatthelawsofGodare

perfectandunchangeable.Heknowsthathealthismaintainedbyrightliving;thatdiseaseiscured

bytherightuseofremedies;thatbreadisproducedbytillingthesoil;thatknowledgeisobtained

bystudy;thatwealthissecuredbysavingandthatbattlesarewonbyfighting.Tohim,thelazy

manistheunluckymanandthemanofluckofthemanofwork.

"Thefault,dearBrutus,isnotinourstars,

Butinourselves,thatweareunderlings."

Whenwefindamanwhohasascendedheightsbeyondourselves;whohasabroaderrangeof

visionthanweandaskywithmorestarsinitinthanwehaveinours,wemayknowthathehas

workedharder,betterandmorewiselythanwe.Hewasawakewhileweslept.Hewasbusywhile

wewere

idle

and

was

wisely

improving

his

time

and

talents

while

we

were

wasting

ours.

Paul

Dunbar,thecoloredpoet,haswellsaid:

"Therearenobeatenpathstoglory'sheight,

Therearenorulestocompassgreatnessknown;

Eachforhimselfmustcleaveapathalone,

Andpresshisownwayforwardinthefight.

Smoothisthewaytoeaseandcalmdelight,

AndsofttheroadSlothchoosethforherown;

Buthewhocravestheflow'roflifefullblown

Muststruggleupinallhisarmordight.

Whattho'theburdenbearhimsorelydown,

Andcrushtodustthemountainofhispride.

Oh!then

with

strong

heart

let

him

still

abide

Forruggedistheroadwaytorenown.

Normayhehopetogaintheenviedcrown

Tillhehaththrusttheloomingrocksaside."


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Iamcertainthatthereisnothinggood,greatordesirablewhichmancanpossessinthisworld,

thatdoesnotcomebysomekindoflaborofphysicalormental,moralorspiritual.Aman,attimes,

getssomethingfornothing,butitwill,inhishands,amounttonothing.Whatistrueintheworld

ofmatter, isequally true in theworldof themind.Without culture there canbenogrowth;

withoutexertion,noacquisition;withoutfriction,nopolish;withoutlabor,noknowledge;without

action,no

progress

and

without

conflict,

no

victory.

A

man

that

lies

down

afool

at

night,

hoping

thathewillwakenwiseinthemorning,willriseupinthemorningashelaiddownintheevening.

Faith,intheabsenceofwork,seemstobeworthlittle,ifanything.Thepreacherwhofindsiteasier

toprayforknowledgethantotaxhisbrainwithstudyandapplicationwillfindhiscongregation

growingbeautifullylessandhisflocklookingelsewherefortheirspiritualandmentalfood.Inthe

old slave times coloredministerswere somewhat remarkable for the fervorwithwhich they

prayedforknowledge,butitdidnotappearthattheywereremarkableforanywonderfulsuccess.

In

fact,

they

who

prayed

loudest

seemed

to

get

least.

They

thought

if

they

opened

their

mouths

theywouldbefilled.Theresultwasanabundanceofsoundwithagreatdestitutionofsense.

Notonly inman'sexperience,butalso innaturedowefindexemplifiedthetruthuponwhich I

havebeeninsisting.Myfatherworketh,andtheSavior,andIalsowork.Ineveryviewwhichwe

obtainoftheperfectionsoftheuniverse;whetherwelooktothebrightstarsinthepeacefulblue

domeaboveus,ortothe longshore lineoftheocean,where landandwatermaintaineternal

conflict;thelesstaughtisthesame;thatofendlessactionandreaction.Thosebeautifullyrounded

pebbleswhich you gatheron the sane andwhich youhold in yourhand andmarvel at their

exceedingsmoothness,

were

chiseled

into

their

varies

and

graceful

forms

by

the

ceaseless

action

ofcountlesswaves.Natureisherselfagreatworkerandnevertolerates,withoutcertainrebuke,

anycontradictiontoherwiseexample.Inactionisfollowedbystagnation.Stagnationisfollowed

bypestilenceandpestilence is followedbydeath.GeneralButler,busywithhisbroom,could

sweepyellowfeveroutofNewOrleans,butthisdreaddestroyerreturnedwhentheGeneraland

hisbroomwerewithdrawn,and thepeople,neglecting sanitarywisdom,wentonascribing to

Divinitywhatwassimplyduetodirt.

Fromtheseremarksitwillbeevidentthat,allowingonlyordinaryabilityandopportunity,wemay

explainsuccess

mainly

by

one

word

and

that

word

is

WORK!

WORK!!

WORK!!!

WORK!!!!

Not

transientandfitfuleffort,butpatient,enduring,honest,unremittingandindefatigableworkinto

whichthewholeheartisput,andwhich,inbothtemporalandspiritualaffairs,isthetruemiracle

worker.Everyonemayavailhimselfofthismarvelouspower,ifhewill.Thereisnoroyalroadto

perfection.Certainlynoonemustwaitforsomekindoffriendtoputaspringingboardunderhis

feet,uponwhichhemayeasilyboundfromthefirstroundoftheirladderonwardandupwardto

itshighestround.Ifhewaitsforthis,hemaywait long,andperhapsforever.Hewhodoesnot


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thinkhimselfworthsavingfrompovertyandignorancebyhisownefforts,willhardlybethought

worththeeffortsofanybodyelse.

Thelessontaughtatthispointbyhumanexperienceissimplythis,thatthemanwhowillgetup

willbe

helped

up;

and

the

man

who

will

not

get

up

will

be

allowed

to

stay

down.

This

rule

may

appearsomewhatharsh,butinitsgeneralapplicationandoperationitiswise,justandbeneficent.

Iknowofnootherrulewhichcanbesubstituted for itwithoutbringingsocialchaos.Personal

independenceisavirtueanditisthesouloutofwhichcomesthesturdiestmanhood.Butthere

canbeno independencewithouta large shareof selfdependence,and this virtue cannotbe

bestowed.Itmustbedevelopedfromwithin.

Ihavebeenasked"Howwillthistheoryaffectthenegro?"and"Whatshallbedoneinhiscase?"

My

general

answer

is

"Give

the

negro

fair

play

and

let

him

alone.

If

he

lives,

well.

If

he

dies,

equally

well.Ifhecannotstandup,lethimcalldown."

Theapplemusthavestrengthandvitalityenoughinitselftoholdon,oritwillfalltotheground

where itbelongs.Thestrongest influenceprevailsandshouldprevail.Ifthevitalrelationofthe

fruitissevered,itisfollytotiethestemtothebranchorthebranchtothetreeortoshelterthe

fruitfromthewind.So,too,thereisnowisdominliftingfromtheearthaheadwhichmustonly

fallthemoreheavilywhenthehelpiswithdrawn.Doright,thoughtheheavensfall;buttheywill

notfall.

Ihavesaid"Givethenegrofairplayandlethimalone."ImeantallthatIsaidandagooddealmore

thansomeunderstandbyfairplay.Itisnotfairplaytostartthenegrooutinlife,fromnothingand

withnothing,whileothersstartwiththeadvantageofathousandyearsbehindthem.Heshould

bemeasured,notbytheheightsothershaveobtained,butfromthedepthsfromwhichhehas

come.Foranyadjustmentofthesealsofcomparison,fairplaydemandsthattothebarbarism

fromwhich thenegro started shallbeadded twohundredyearsheavywithhumanbondage.

ShouldtheAmericanpeopleputaschoolhouseineveryvalleyoftheSouthandachurchonevery

hillsideandsupplytheonewithteachersandtheotherwithpreachers,forahundredyearsto

come,theywouldnotthenhavegivenfairplaytothenegro.

Thenearestapproachtojusticetothenegroforthepastistodohimjusticeinthepresent.Throw

open to him the doors of the schools, the factories, the workshops, and of all mechanical

industries.Forhisownwelfare,givehimachancetodowhateverhecandowell.Ifhefailsthen,

lethimfail!Ican,however,assureyouthathewillnotfail.Alreadyhasheprovenit.Asasoldier


11/27

heprovedit.Hehassinceproveditbyindustryandsobrietyandbytheacquisitionofknowledge

andproperty.HeisalmosttheonlysuccessfultillerofthesoiloftheSouth,andisfastbecoming

theowneroflandformerlyownedbyhisoldmasterandbytheoldmasterclass.Inathousand

instanceshasheverifiedmytheoryofselfmademen.Hewellperformedthetaskofmakingbricks

withoutstraw:nowgivehimstraw.Givehimallthefacilitiesforhonestandsuccessfullivelihood,

andin

all

honorable

avocations

receive

him

as

aman

among

men.

Ihavebyimplicationadmittedthatworkaloneisnottheonlyexplanationofselfmademen,orof

thesecretofsuccess.Industry,tobesure,isthesuperficialandvisiblecauseofsuccess,butwhat

isthecauseofindustry?Intheanswertothisquestiononeelementiseasilypointedout,andthat

element isnecessity.Thackerayverywiselyremarksthat"Allmenareaboutas lazyastheycan

affordtobe."Mencannotbedependedupontoworkwhentheyareaskedtoworkfornothing.

Theyarenotonlyaslazyastheycanaffordtobe,butIhavefoundmanywhowereagreatdeal

more

so.

We

all

hate

the

task

master,

but

all

men,

however

industrious,

are

either

lured

or

lashed

throughtheworld,andweshouldbea lazy,goodfornothingset, ifwewerenotso luredand

lashed.

Necessity isnotonlythemotherof invention,butthemainspringofexertion.Thepresenceof

some urgent, pinching, imperious necessity,will often not only sting aman intomarvellous

exertion,butintoasenseofthepossession,withinhimself,ofpowersandresourceswhichelse

hadslumberedonthroughalonglife,unknowntohimselfandneversuspectedbyothers.Aman

neverknowsthestrengthofhisgriptilllifeandlimbdependuponit.Somethingislikelytobedone

whensomething

must

be

done.

Ifyouwishtomakeyoursonhelpless,youneednotcripplehimwithbulletorbludgeon,butsimply

placehimbeyondthereachofnecessityandsurroundhimwitheaseandluxury.Thisexperiment

hasoftenbeentriedandhasseldomfailed.Asageneralrule,wherecircumstancesdomostfor

men,theremanwilldoleastforhimself;andwheremandoesleast,hehimselfisleast.Hisdoing

ornotdoingmakesorunmakeshim.

UnderthepalmtreeofAfricamanfinds,withouteffort,food,raimentandshelter.Forhim,there,

Naturehasdoneallandhehasdonenothing.TheresultisthatthegloryofAfricaisinherpalms

andnotinhermen.

Inyoursearchaftermanhoodgonottothosedelightfullatitudeswhere"summerisblossoming

alltheyearlong,"butrathertothehardyNorth,toMaine,NewHampshireandVermont,tothe


12/27

coldestandflintiestpartsofNewEngland,wheremenworkgardenswithgunpowder,blastrocks

tofindplacestoplantpotatoes;where,forsixmonthsoftheyear,theearthiscoveredwithsnow

andice.GotothestateswhichDanielWebsterthoughtgoodenoughtoemigratefrom,andthere

youwillfindthehighesttypeofAmericanphysicalandintellectualmanhood.

Happilyformankind,labornotonlysuppliesthegoodthingsforwhichitisexerted,butitincreases

itsownresourcesandimproves,sharpensandstrengthensitsowninstruments.

Theprimaryconditionuponwhichmenhaveandretainpowerandskillisexertion.Naturehasno

use forunusedpower.Sheabhorsavacuum.Shepermitsnopreemptionwithoutoccupation.

Everyorganofbodyandmindhasitsuseandimprovesbyuse."Bettertowearoutthantorust

out,"issoundphilosophyaswellascommonsense.Theeyeofthewatchmakerisseverelytaxed

by

the

intense

light

and

effort

necessary

in

order

to

see

minute

objects,

yet

it

remains

clear

and

keenlongafterthoseofothermenhavefailed.IwastoldattheRemingtonRifleWorks,bythe

workmenthereemployedwhohavetostraightentheriflebarrelsbyflashingintenselightthrough

them,that,bythispractice,severeasitseems,theireyesweremadestronger.

Butwhatthehandsfindtodomuchbedone inearnest.Naturetoleratesnohalfness.Hewho

wantshardhandsmustnot,atsightofthefirstblister,flingawaythespade,therake,thebroad

axorthehoe;fortheblisterisaprimaryconditiontotheneededhardness.Toabandonworkis

notonlytothrowawaythemeansofsuccess,butitisalsotopartwiththeabilitytowork.Tobe

ableto

walk

well,

one

must

walk

on,

and

to

work

with

ease

and

effect,

one

must

work

on.

Thusthelawoflaborisselfacting,beneficentandperfect;increasingskillandabilityaccordingto

exertion.Faithful,earnestandprotractedindustrygivesstrengthtothemindandfacilitytothe

hand.Withincertainlimits,themorethatamandoes,themorehecando.

Fewmeneverreach,inanyonedirection,thelimitsoftheirpossibilities.Asincommerce,sohere,

the relation of supply to demand rules. Our mechanical and intellectual forces increase or

decreaseaccordingtothedemandsmadeuponthem.Hewhousesmostwillhavemosttouse.

Thisisthephilosophyoftheparableofthetentalents.Itapplieshereaselsewhere."Tohimthat

hathshallbegivenandfromhimthathathnotshallbetakeneventhatwhichhehath."


13/27

Exertionofmuscleormind, forpleasureandamusementalone,cannotbringanything likethe

goodresultsofearnestlabor.Suchexertionlackstheelementattachedtoduty.Toplayperfectly

uponany complicated instrument,onemustplay long, laboriouslyandwithearnestpurpose.

Thoughitbeanamusementatfirst,itmustbelaborattheend,ifanyproficiencyisreached.If

oneplaysforone'sownpleasurealong,theperformancewillgivelittlepleasuretoanyoneelse

andwill

finally

become

arather

hard

and

dry

pleasure

to

one's

self.

Inthisrespectonecannotreceivemuchmorethanonegives.Menmaycheattheirneighborsand

maycheatthemselvesbuttheycannotcheatnature.Shewillonlypaythewagesonehonestly

earns.

Intheideaofexertion,ofcoursefortitudeandperseveranceareincluded.Wehaveallmetaclass

of

men,

very

remarkable

for

their

activity,

and

who

yet

make

but

little

headway

in

life;

men

who,

intheirnoisyand impulsivepursuitofknowledge,nevergetbeyondtheouterbarkofan idea,

from a lack ofpatience andperseverance todig to the core;menwhobegineverything and

completenothing;whosee,butdonotperceive;whoread,butforgetwhattheyread,andareas

iftheyhadnotread;whotravelbutgonowhereinparticular,andhavenothingofvaluetoimpart

when they return. Suchmenmay have greatness thrust upon them but they never achieve

greatness.

Asthegoldinthemountainisconcealedinhugeandflintyrocks,sothemostvaluableideasand

inventionsare

often

enveloped

in

doubt

and

uncertainty.

The

printing

press,

the

sewing

machine,

therailroad,thetelegraphandthelocomotive,areallsimpleenoughnow,butwhocanmeasure

the patience, the persistence, the fortitude, the wearing labor and the brain sweat, which

producedthesewonderfulandindispensableadditionstoourmoderncivilization.

Mytheoryofselfmademenis,then,simplythis:thattheyaremenofwork.Whetherornotsuch

menhaveacquiredmaterial,moralorintellectualexcellence,honestlaborfaithfully,steadilyand

persistentlypursued,isthebest,ifnottheonly,explanationoftheirsuccess.Butinthusawarding

praisetoindustry,asthemainagencyintheproductionandcultureofselfmademen,Idonot

excludeotherfactorsoftheproblem.Ionlymakethemsubordinate.Otheragenciescooperate,

butthisistheprincipaloneandtheonewithoutwhichallotherswouldfail.

Indolenceandfailurecangiveathousandexcusesforthemselves.Howoftendowehearmensay,

"IfIhadtheheadofthisone,orthehandsofthatone;thehealthofthisone,orthestrengthof


14/27

thatone;thechancesofthisorofthatone,Imighthavebeenthis,that,ortheother;"andmuch

moreofthesamesort.

Sound bodily health and mental faculties unimpaired are very desirable, if not absolutely

indispensible.But

aman

need

not

be

aphysical

giant

or

an

intellectual

prodigy,

in

order

to

make

atolerablewayintheworld.Thehealthandstrengthofthesoulisoffarmoreimportancethanis

thatofthebody,evenwhenviewedasameansofmundaneresults.Thesoulisthemainthing.

Mancandoagreatmanythings;someeasilyandsomewithdifficulty,buthecannotbuildasound

shipwithrottentimber.Hermodelmaybefaultless;hersparsmaybethefinestandhercanvas

thewhitestandtheflagsofallnationsmaybedisplacedathermasthead,butshewillgodownin

thefirststorm.Soitiswiththesoul.Whateveritsassumptions,ifitbelackingintheprinciplesof

honor,integrityandaffection,it,too,willgodowninthefirststorm.Andwhenthesoulislost,all

islost.Allhumanexperienceprovesoverandoveragain,thatanysuccesswhichcomesthrough

meanness,

trickery,

fraud

and

dishonor,

is

but

emptiness

and

will

only

be

a

torment

to

its

possesssor.

Letnotthemorallystrong,thoughphysicallyweakabandonthestruggleoflife.Forsuchhappily,

thereisbothplaceandchanceintheworld.Thehighestservicestomanandtherichestrewards

totheworkeratnotconditionedentirelyuponphysicalpower.Thehighertheplaneofcivilization,

themoreabundanttheopportunitiesoftheweakandthe infirm.Societyandcivilizationmove

accordingtocelestialorder."Notthatwhichisspiritualisfirst,butthatwhichisnatural.Afterthat,

thatwhichisspiritual."Theorderofprogress,is,first,barbarism;afterward,civilization.Barbarism

representsphysical

force.

Civilization

represents

spiritual

power.

The

primary

condition,

that

of

barbarism,knowsnootherlawthanthatofforce;notright,butmight.Inthisconditionofsociety,

orratherofnosociety,themanofmindispushedasidebythemanofmuscle.AKitCarson,far

outonthebordersofcivilization,dexterouslyhandlinghisbowieknife,rifleandbludgeon,easily

getshimselftakenforahero;butthewavesofscienceandcivilizationrollingoutovertheWestern

prairies,soon leavehimnoroomforhisbarbarousaccomplishment.Kit isshornofhisglory.A

highertypeofmanhoodisrequired.

Whenferociousbeastsandsavageinhabitantshavebeendispersedandtherudenessofnature

hasbeen

subdued,

we

welcome

milder

methods

and

gentler

instrumentalities

for

the

service

of

mankind.Heretherace isnottotheswiftnorthebattletothestrong,buttheprice isbrought

withinthereachofthosewhoareneitherswiftnorstrong.Noneneeddespair.Thereisroomand

workforall:fortheweakaswellasthestrong.Activityisthelawforallanditsrewardsareopen

toall.Vastacquirementsandsplendidachievementsstandtothecreditofmenoffeebleframes

andslenderconstitutions.Channingwasphysicallyweak.Miltonwasblind.Montgomerywassmall

andeffeminate.ButthosemenweremoretotheworldthanathousandSampsons.Mrs.Stowe


15/27

wouldbenothingamongthegrizzlybearsoftheRockymountains.Weshouldnotbelikelytoask

forherhelpatabarnraising,orashiplaunch;butwhenagreatnationalevilwastoberemoved;

when a nation's heartwas to be touched;when awhole countrywas to be redeemed and

regeneratedandmillionsofslavesconverted intofreemen,thecivilizedworldknewnoearthly

powerequaltohers.

Butanotherelementofthesecretofsuccessdemandsaword.Thatelementisorder,systematic

endeavor.Wesucceed,notalonebythelaboriousexertionofourfaculties,betheysmallorgreat,

butbytheregular,thoughtfulandsystematicexerciseofthem.Order,thefirstlawofheaven,is

itself apower. Thebattle is nearly lostwhen your lines are indisorder.Regular, orderly and

systematiceffortwhichmoveswithoutfrictionandneedless lossoftimeorpower;whichhasa

placeforeverythingandeverythinginitsplace;whichknowsjustwheretobegin,howtoproceed

andwhere toend, thoughmarkedbynoextraordinaryoutlayofenergyoractivity,willwork

wonders,

not

only

in

the

matter

of

accomplishment,

but

also

in

the

increase

of

the

ability

of

the

individual.Itwillmaketheweakmanstrongandthestrongmanstronger;thesimplemanwise

andthewiseman,wiser,andwillinsuresuccessbythepowerandinfluencethatbelongtohabit.

Ontheotherhand,nomatterwhatgiftsandwhataptitudesamanmaypossess;nomatterthough

hismind be of the highest order and fitted for the noblest achievements; yet,without this

systematiceffort,hisgeniuswillonlyserveasafireofshavings,sooninblazeandsoonout.

Spontaneityhas

aspecial

charm,

and

the

fitful

outcroppings

of

genius

are,

in

speech

or

action,

delightful;butthesuccessattainedbythese isneithersolidnor lasting.Amanwho, fornearly

forty years,was the foremostorator inNewEngland,wasaskedbyme, ifhis speecheswere

extemporaneous?Theyflowedsosmoothlythat Ihadmydoubtsabout it.Heanswered,"No,I

carefullythinkoutandwritemyspeeches,beforeIutterthem."Whensuchamanrisestospeak,

heknowswhatheisgoingtosay.Whenhespeaks,heknowswhatheissaying.Whenheretires

fromtheplatform,heknowswhathehassaid.

Thereisstillanotherelementessentialtosuccess,andthatis,acommandingobjectandasense

ofitsimportance.Thevigoroftheactiondependsuponthepowerofthemotive.Thewheelsof

thelocomotivelieidleupontherailuntiltheyfeeltheimpellingforceofthesteam;butwhenthat

isapplied,thewholeponderoustrainissetinmotion.Butenergyoughtnottobewasted.Aman

maydisposeofhislifeasPaddydidofhispowder,aimatnothing,andhititeverytime.


16/27

Ifeachmanintheworlddidhisshareofhonestwork,weshouldhavenoneedofamillennium.

Theworldwouldteemwithabundance,andthetemptationtoevilinathousanddirections,would

disappear.Butworkisnotoftenundertakenforitsownsake.Theworkerisconsciousofanobject

worthyofeffort,andworksforthatobject;notforwhatheistoit,butforwhatitistohim.Allare

notmovedbythesameobjects.Happinessistheobjectofsome.Wealthandfamearetheobjects

ofothers.

But

wealth

and

fame

are

beyond

the

reach

of

the

majority

of

men,

and

thus,

to

them,

these are notmotiveimpelling objects.Happily, however,personal, family andneighborhood

wellbeingstandneartousallandarefullofloftyinspirationstoearnestendeavor,ifwewould

butrespondtotheirinfluence.

Idonotdesiremy lecture tobecomea sermon;but,were thisallowable, Iwould rebuke the

growing tendency to sport and pleasure. The time, money and strength devoted to these

phantoms,wouldbanishdarknessandhunger fromeveryhearthstone inour land.Multitudes,

unconscious

of

any

controlling

object

in

life,

flit,

like

birds,

from

point

to

point;

now

here,

now

there;andsoaccomplishnothing,eitherheretothere.

"Forpleasuresarelikepoppiesspread,

Youseizetheflower,itsbloomisshed!

Orlikethesnowfallsintheriver,

Amomentwhitethenmeltsforever;

Orlike

the

borealis

race,

Thatflitereyoucanpointtheirplace;

Orliketherainbow'slovelyform

Evanishingamidthestorm."

Theyknowmostofpleasurewhoseekitleast,andtheyleastwhoseekitmost.Thecushionissoft

tohimwhositsonitbutseldom.themenbehindthechairsatSaratogaandNewport,getbetter

dinnersthan

the

men

in

them.

We

cannot

serve

two

masters.

When

here,

we

cannot

be

there.

If

weacceptease,wemustpartwithappetite.Apoundoffeathersisasheavyasapoundofiron,

andaboutashard,ifyousitonitlongenough.Musicisdelightful,buttoomuchofitwoundsthe

earlikethefilingofasaw.Thelounge,tothelazy,becomeslikeflint;andtohim,themostsavory

disheslosetheirflavor.


17/27

"It'strue,theyneednastarveorsweat,Thro'winter'scauldorsimmer'sheat;Buthumanbodies

aresicfools,Foralltheircollegesan'schools,Thatwhennarealillsperplexthem,Theymakenow,

themselvestovexthem."

Butthe

industrious

man

does

find

real

pleasure.

He

finds

it

in

qualities

and

quantities

to

which

the

baffledpleasureseekerisaperpetualstranger.Hefindsitinthehousewellbuilt,inthefarmwell

tilled, inthebookswellkept, inthepagewellwritten, inthethoughtwellexpressed, inallthe

improvedconditionsof lifearoundhimand inwhatsoeverusefulworkmay, for themoment,

engagehistimeandenergies.

Iwillgiveyou,inonesimplestatement,myidea,myobservationandmyexperienceofthechief

agentinthesuccessofselfmademen.Itisnotluck,norisitgreatmentalendowments,butitis

well

directed,

honest

toil.

"Toil

and

Trust!"

was

the

motto

of

John

Quincy

Adams,

and

his

PresidencyoftheRepublicproveditswisdomaswellasitstruth.Greatinhisopportunities,great

inhismentalendowmentsandgreat inhisrelationships,hewasstillgreater inperseveringand

indefatigableindustry.

Examplesofsuccessfulselfcultureandselfhelpundergreatdifficultiesanddiscouragements,are

abundant,andtheyvindicatethetheoryofsuccessthusfeeblyandwithhomelycommonsense,

presented.Forexample:HughMiller,whoselamenteddeathmantledthemountainsandvalleys

ofhisnativelandwithabroadshadowofsorrow,scarcelyyetlifted,wasagrandexampleofthe

successof

persistent

devotion,

under

great

difficulties,

to

work

and

to

the

acquisition

of

knowledge. Inacountryjustlydistinguished for itsschoolsandcolleges,he, likeRobertBurns,

Scotia'smatchlesssonofsong,wasthetruechildofscience,asBurnswasofsong.Hewashisown

college.Theearthwashisschoolandtherockswerehisschoolmaster.Outsideofallthelearned

institutionsofhiscountry,andwhileemployedwithhischiselandhammer,asastonemason,this

manliterallykilledtwobirdswithonestone;forheearnedhisdailybreadandatthesametime

madehimselfaneminentgeologist,andgavetotheworldbookswhichare found inallpublic

librariesandwhicharefullofinspirationtothetruthseeker.

NotunlikethecaseofHughMiller, isthatofourownElihuBurritt.Thetrueheartwarmswith

admirationfortheenergyandperseverencedisplayedinthisman'spursuitofknowledge.Wecall

him "The learned blacksmith," and the distinctionwas fairly earned and fitlyworn.Over the

polishedanvilandglowingforge;amidstthesmoke,dustanddieoftheblacksmith'sshop;amidst

theblazingfiresandhissingsparks,andwhilehammeringtheredhotsteel,thisbravesonoftoil

issaidtohavemasteredtwentydifferentlanguages,livinganddead.


18/27

It is surprisingwithwhat smallmeans, in the field of earnest effort, great results have been

achieved. That neither costly apparatus nor packed libraries are necessarily required by the

earneststudentinselfculture,wasdemonstratedinaremarkablemannerbyLouisKossuth.That

illustriouspatriot,

scholar

and

statesman,

came

to

our

country

from

the

far

east

of

Europe,

a

completemasterof theEnglish language.He spokeourdifficult tonguewithaneloquenceas

statelyandgrandasthatofthebestAmericanorators.Whenaskedhowheobtainedthismastery

of languagesoforeigntohim,hetoldusthathisschoolhousewasanAustrianprison,andhis

schoolbooks,theBible,Shakespeare,andanoldEnglishdictionary.

SidebysidewiththegreatHungarian,letmenametheKingofAmericanselfmademen;theman

whorosehighestandwillberemembered longestas themostpopularandbelovedPresident

sinceWashingtonABRAHAMLINCOLN.Thismancametous,notfromtheschoolsorfromthe

mansionsof

ease

and

luxury,

but

from

the

back

woods.

He

mastered

his

grammar

by

the

light

of

apinewoodtorch.Thefortitudeandindustrywhichcouldsplitrailsbyday,andlearngrammarat

nightatthehearthstoneofaloghutandbytheunsteadyglareofapinewoodknot,preparedthis

manforaservicetohiscountrytomankind,whichonlythemostexaltedcouldhaveperformed.

Theexamplesthusfargiven,belongtotheCaucasianrace;buttotheAfricanrace,aswell,weare

indebted for examples equally worthy and inspiring. Benjamin Bannecker, a man of African

descent,bornandrearedinthestateofMaryland,andacotemporarywiththegreatmenofthe

revolution,isworthytobementionedwiththehighestofhisclass.Hewasaslave,withheldfrom

allthoseinspiringmotiveswhichfreedom,honoranddistinctionfurnishtoexertion;andyetthis

mansecuredanEnglisheducation;becamealearnedmathematician,wasanexcellentsurveyor,

assistedtolayoutthecityofWashington,andcompelledhonorablerecognitionfromsomeofthe

mostdistinguishedscholarsandstatesmenofthatearlydayoftheRepublic.

Theintellectofthenegrowasthen,asnow,thesubjectoflearnedinquiry.Mr.Jefferson,among

otherstatesmenandphilosophers,whileheconsideredslaveryanevil,entertainedaratherlow

estimateofthenegro'smentalability.Hethoughtthatthenegromightbecomelearnedinmusic

andin

language,

but

that

mathematics

were

quite

out

of

the

question

with

him.

InthisdebateBenjaminBanneckercameuponthesceneandmateriallyassistedinliftinghisrace

toahigherconsiderationthanthatinwhichithasbeenpreviouslyheld.Banneckerwasnotonly

proficientasawriter,but,likeJefferson,hewasaphilosopher.HearingofMr.Jefferson'sopinion

ofnegrointellect,hetooknooffensebutcalmlyaddressedthatstatesmanaletterandacopyof


19/27

analmanacforwhichhehasmadetheastronomicalcalculations.ThereplyofMr.Jeffersonisthe

highestpraiseIwishtobestowuponthisblackselfmademan.ItisbriefandItakegreatpleasure

inpresentingit.

Sir:

Ithankyousincerelyforyourletterandthealmanacitcontains.NobodymorethanIdo,wishes

toseesuchproofsasyouexhibit,thatnaturehasgivenourblackbrethrentalentsequaltothose

ofothercolorsofmen,and that theappearanceof thewantof them, isowingmainly to the

degradingconditionsoftheirexistenceinAfricaandAmerica.Ihavetakenthelibertyofsending

youralmanactoMonsieurCordozett,SecretaryoftheAcademyofScienceatParis,andamember

ofthePhilanthropicSociety,becauseIconsidereditadocumentofwhichyourwholeracehada

right,

for

their

justification

against

the

doubts

entertained

of

them.

Iam,withgreatesteem,sir,

Yourmostobedientservant,

THOMASJEFFERSON.

ThiswastheimpressionmadebyanintelligentnegrouponthefatherofAmericanDemocracy,in

theearlier

and

better

years

of

the

Republic.

Iwish

that

it

were

possible

to

make

asimilar

impressionuponthechildrenoftheAmericanDemocracyofthisgeneration.Jeffersonwasnot

ashamedtocalltheblackmanhisbrotherandtoaddresshimasagentleman.

I am sorry thatBanneckerwasnot entirelyblack, because in theUnited States, the slightest

infusionofTeutonicblood isthoughttobesufficienttoaccountforanyconsiderabledegreeof

intelligencefoundunderanypossiblecoloroftheskin.

ButBanneckerisnottheonlycoloredexamplethatIcangive.WhileIturnwithhonestprideto

Bannecker, who lived a hundred years ago, and invoked his aid to roll back the tide of

disparagementandcontemptwhichprideandprejudicehavepouredoutagainstthecoloredrace,

Icanalsociteexamplesoflikeenergyinourownday.


20/27

WilliamDietz,ablackmanofAlbany,NewYork,withwhomIwaspersonallyacquaintedandof

whomIcanspeakfromactualknowledge,isonesuch.Thismanbyindustry,fidelityandgeneral

aptitudeforbusinessaffairs,rosefromthehumblecallingofhouseservantintheDudleyfamily

ofthatcity,tobecomethesolemanagerofthefamilyestatevaluedatthreemillionsofdollars.

Itiscustomarytoassertthatthenegroinventedanything,andthat,ifheweretodaystruckoutof

life,therewould,intwentyyears,benothinglefttotellofhisexistence.Well,thisblackman;for

hewaspositivelyandperfectlyblack;notpartially,butwhollyblack;amanwhom,afewyearsago,

someofourlearnedethnologistswouldhavereadoutofthehumanfamilyandwhomacertain

ChiefJusticewouldhaveturnedoutofcourtasacreaturehavingnorightswhichwhitemenare

boundtorespect,wasoneoftheverybestdraftsmenanddesignersinthestateofNewYork.Mr.

Dietzwasnotonlyanarchitect,buthewasalsoaninventor.Inthishewasadirectcontradiction

tothemalignersofhisrace.ThenoblerailroadbridgenowspanningtheHudsonriveratAlbany,

was,

in

all

essential

features,

designed

by

William

Dietz.

The

main

objection

against

a

bridge

across

thathighwayofcommercehadbeenthatofitsinterferenceswithnavigation.Ofallthedesigns

presented, that of Dietzwas the least objectionable on that score, andwas, in its essential

features,accepted.Mr.DietzalsodevisedaplanforanelevatedrailwaytobebuiltinBroadway,

NewYork.Thegreatobjectiontoarailwayinthatfamousthoroughfarewasthen,asnow,thatof

thenoise,dust,smoke,obstructionanddangertolifeandlimb,therebyinvolved.Dietzundertook

toremovealltheseobjectionsbysuggestinganelevatedrailway,theplanofwhichwas,atthe

time,published intheScientificAmericanandhighlycommendedbytheeditorofthatjournal.

ThethenreadersoftheScientificAmericanreadthisaccountoftheinventivenessofWilliamDietz,

butdidnotknow,asIdid,thatMr.Dietzwasablackman.Therewasnothinginhisnameorinhis

worksto

suggest

the

American

idea

of

color.

Among my dark examples I can name no man with more satisfaction than I can Toussaint

L'Overture,theheroofSantoDomingo.Thoughbornaslaveandheldaslavetillhewasfifteen

yearsofage;though,likeBannecker,hewasblackandshowednotraceofCaucasianadmixture,

historyhandshimdowntousasabraveandgeneroussoldier,awiseandpowerfulstatesman,an

ardentpatriotandasuccessfulliberatorofhispeopleandhiscountry.

Thecotemporaries

of

this

Hatien

chief

paint

him

as

without

asingle

moral

blemish;

while

friends

and foesalike,accordhim thehighestability. Inhiseulogiesnomodernherohasbeenmore

fortunatethanToussaintL'Overture.History,poetryandeloquencehaveviedwitheachotherto

dohimreverence.WodrsworthandWhittierhave,incharacteristicverse,encircledhisbrowwith

ahaloof fadelessglory,whilePhillipshasbornehimamongthegods insomething likeElijah's

chariotoffire.


21/27

Thetestimonyoftheseandathousandotherswhohavecomeupfromdepthsofsociety,confirms

thetheorythatindustryisthemostpotentfactorinthesuccessofselfmademen,andthusraises

thedignityoflabor;forwhatevermaybeone'snaturalgifts,success,asIhavesaid,isduemainly

tothis

great

means,

open

and

free

to

all.

Awordnowuponthethirdpointsuggestedatthebeginningofthispaper;namely,Thefriendly

relationandinfluenceofAmericanideasandinstitutionstothisclassofmen.

Americaissaid,andnotwithoutreason,tobepreeminentlythehomeandpatronofselfmade

men.Here,alldoors flyopen to them. Theymayaspire to anyposition.Courts, Senatesand

Cabinets,spreadrichcarpets for their feet,and theystandamongour foremostmen inevery

honorableservice.

Many

causes

have

made

it

easy,

here,

for

this

class

to

rise

and

flourish,

and

first

among these causes is the general respectabilityof labor. Searchwhere youwill, there isno

countryontheglobewherelaborissorespectedandthelaborersohonored,asinthiscountry.

The conditions in which American society originated; the free spirit which framed its

independenceandcreateditsgovernmentbaseduponthewillofthepeople,exaltedbothlabor

andlaborer.Thestrifebetweencapitalandlaboris,here,comparativelyequal.Theoneisnotthe

haughtyandpowerfulmasterandtheothertheweakandabjectslaveasisthecaseinsomeparts

ofEurope.Here,themanoftoil isnotbowed,buterectandstrong.Hefeelsthatcapitalisnot

moreindispensablethanlabor,andhecanthereforemeetthecapitalistastherepresentativeof

anequalpower.

Ofcoursetheseremarksarenotintendedtoapplytothestateswhereslaveryhasbutrecently

existed.Thatsystemwastheextremedegradationoflabor,andthoughhappilynowabolishedits

consequences still lingerandmaynotdisappear foracentury.Today, in thepresenceof the

capitalist,theSouthernblacklaborerstandsabashed,confusedandintimidated.Heiscompelled

tobeghisfellowwormtogivehimleavetotoil.Laborcanneverberespectedwherethelaborer

isdespised.Thisistoday,thegreattroubleattheSouth.Thelandownersstillresentemancipation

andopposetheelevationoflabor.Theyhaveyettolearnthataconditionofaffairswellsuitedto

atime

of

slavery

may

not

be

well

suited

to

atime

of

freedom.

They

will

one

day

learn

that

large

farmsandignorantlaborersareaslittlesuitedtotheSouthastotheNorth.

Buttherespectabilityoflaborisnot,asalreadyintimated,theonlyorthemostpowerfulcauseof

thefacilitywithwhichmenrisefromhumbleconditionstoaffluenceandimportanceintheUnited

States.Amoresubtileandpowerfulinfluenceisexertedbythefactthattheprincipleofmeasuring


22/27

andvaluingmenaccordingtotheirrespectivemeritsandwithoutregardtotheirantecedents,is

better established andmore generally enforced here than in any other country. In Europe,

greatnessisoftenthrustuponmen.Theyaremadelegislatorsbybirth.

"Aking

can

make

abelted

knight,

Amarquis,dukeanda'that."

Buthere,wealthandgreatnessareforcedbynosuchcapriciousandarbitrarypower.Equalityof

rightsbringsequalityofpositionsanddignities.Heresocietyveryproperlysavesitselfthetrouble

oflookingupaman'skinfolksinordertodeterminehisgradeinlifeandthemeasureofrespect

duehim.Itcaresverylittlewhowashisfatherorgrandfather.TheboastoftheJews,"Wehave

Abrahamforourfather,"hasnopracticalsignificancehere.Hewhodemandsconsiderationonthe

strengthof

areputation

of

adead

father,

is,

properly

enough,

rewarded

with

derision.

We

have

noreferencetothrowawayinthiswise.

Asapeople,wehaveonlyadecentrespectforourseniors.Wecannotbebeguiledintoaccepting

emptyheadedsonsforfullheadedfathers.Assomeonehassaid,wedispensewiththesmoke

whenthecandle isout.Inpopularphraseweexhorteverymanashecomesuponthestageof

active life,"Nowdoyour levelbest!""Helpyourself!""Putyourshouldertothewheel!""Make

yourownrecord!""Paddleyourowncanoe!""Bethearchitectofyourownfortune!"

Thesonsofillustriousmenareputupontriallikethesoundsofcommonpeople.Theymustprove

themselfrealClays,WebstersandLincolns,iftheywouldattracttothemselvesthecordialrespect

andadmirationgenerallyawarded to theirbrilliant fathers.There is,here,no lawofentailor

primogeniture.

Ourgreatmendropoutfromtheirvariousgroupsandcirclesofgreatnessasbrightmeteorsvanish

fromtheblueoverhangingskybearingawaytheirownsilverylightandleavingtheplaceswhere

theyonce

shone

so

brightly,

robed

in

darkness

till

relighted

in

turn

by

the

glory

of

succeeding

ones.

Iwouldnotassumethatweareentirelydevoidofaffectionforfamiliesandforgreatnames.We

havethisfeeling,butitisafeelingqualifiedandlimitedbythepopularthought;athoughtwhich

springs from the heartof free institutions and isdestined to grow stronger the longer these


23/27

institutionsshallendure.GeorgeWashington,Jr.,orAndrewJackson,Jr.,standnobetterofbeing

futurePresidentsthandothesonsofSmithorJones,orthesonsofanybodyelse.

Weareinthis,asEdmundQuincyoncesaidoftherappingspirits,willtohavedonewithpeople

whenthey

are

done

with

us.

We

reject

living

pretenders

ifthey

come

only

in

the

old

clothes

of

the

dead.

Wehaveasapeoplenopastandverylittlepresent,butaboundlessandgloriousfuture.Withus,

itisnotsomuchwhathasbeen,orwhatisnow,butwhatistobeinthegoodtimecoming.Our

mottoesare"Lookhead!"and"Goahead!",andespeciallythelatter.Ourmoralatmosphereisfull

ofthe inspirationofhopeandcourage.Everymanhashischance.IfhecannotbePresidenthe

can,atleast,beprosperous.Inthisrespect,Americaisnotonlytheexceptiontothegeneralrule,

but

the

social

wonder

of

the

world.

Europe,

with

her

divine

right

governments

and

ultra

montane

doctrines;withhersharplydefinedandfirmlyfixedclasses;eachclasscontentifitcanholditsown

against theothers, inspires littleof individualhopeorcourage.Men,onallsides,endeavor to

continuefromyouthtooldageintheirseveralcallingsandtoabideintheirseveralstations.They

seldomhopeforanythingmoreorbetterthanthis.Onceinawhile,itistrue,menofextraordinary

energyand industry, like theHonorable JohnBrightand theHonorableLordBrougham, (men

whosecapacityanddispositionforworkalways lefttheirassociates littleornothingtodo)rise

eveninEngland.Suchmenwouldrisetodistinctionanywhere.Theydonotdisprovethegeneral

rule,butconfirmit.

Whatis,inthisrespect,difficultanduncommonintheOldWorld,isquiteeasyandcommonin

theNew.TothepeopleofEurope,thiseager,evermovingmasswhichwecallAmericansociety

andinwhichlifeisnotonlyarace,butabattle,andeverybodytryingtogetjustalittleaheadof

everybodyelse,looksverymuchlikeanarchy.

TheremarkisoftenmadeabroadthatthereisnospaceforreposeinAmerica.Wearesaidtobe

likethetroubledsea,and insomesensethis is true. If it isa fact it isalsoonenotwithout its

compensation.Ifweresembletheseainitstroubles,wealsoresembletheseainitspowerand

grandeur,andintheequalitiesofitsparticles.

Itissaid,thatinthecourseofcenturies,Idatenotsayhowmany,alltheoceansofthisgreatglobe

gothroughthepurifyingprocessoffiltration.Alltheirpartsareatworkandtheirrelationsareever

changing. They are, in obedience to ever varying atmospheric forces, lifted from their lowly

condition and borne away by gentle winds or furious storms to far off islands, capes and


24/27

continents;visitingintheircourse,mountain,valleyandpain;thusfulfillingabeneficentmission

and leaving the grateful earth refreshed, enriched, invigorated, beautiful and blooming. Each

pearlydrophasitsfairchancetoriseandcontributeitssharetothehealthandhappinessofthe

world.

Such,insomesort,isatruepictureoftherestlessactivityandeverchangingrelationsofAmerican

society.Likethesea,weareconstantlyrisingabove,andreturningto,thecommonlevel.Asmall

sonfollowsagreatfather,andapoorson,arichfather.Tomymindwehavenoreasontohear

thateitherwealth,knowledgeorpowerwillbeheremonopolizedbythefewasagainstthemany.

ThesecauseswhichmakeAmericathehomeandfostermotherofselfmademen,combinedwith

universalsuffrage,will,Ihope,preserveusfromthisdanger.Withequalsuffrageinourhands,we

are

beyond

the

power

of

families,

nationalities

or

races.

Then,too,ournationalgeniuswelcomeshumanityfromeveryquarterandgrantstoallanequal

chanceintheraceoflife.

"Weasknotforhislineage,

Weasknotforhisname;

Ifmanliness

be

in

his

heart,

Henoblebirthmayclaim.

Weasknotfromwhatlandhecame,

Norwherehisyouthwasnursed;

Ifpurethestream,itmattersnot

Thespotfromwhenceitburst."

Undertheshadowofagreatname,LouisNapoleancouldstrikedownthelibertiesofFranceand

erectthethroneofadespot;butamongapeoplesojealousoflibertyastorevoltattheideaof

electing,forathirdterm,oneofourbestPresidents,nosuchexperimentasNapolean'scouldever

beattemptedhere.


25/27

Wearesometimesdazzledbythegildedshowofaristocraticandmonarchicalinstitutions,andrun

wildtoseeaprince.Wearewillingthatthenationswhichenjoythesesuperstitionsandfollies

shallenjoytheminpeace.But,forourselves,wewantnoneofthemandwillhavenoneofthem

andcanhavenoneofthemwhilethespiritoflibertyandequalityanimatestheRepublic.

A word in conclusion, as to the criticims and embarrassments to which selfmademen are

exposed,even in thishighly favored country.A traveler through themonarchiesofEurope is

annoyed at every turn by a demand for his passport.Our government has imposed no such

burden,eitheruponthetraveleroruponitself.Butcitizensandprivateindividuals,intheirrelation

toeachotherandtheworld,demandofeveryonetheequivalentofapassporttorecognition,in

thepossessionofsomequalityoracquirementwhichshallcommenditspossessortofavor.We

believeinmakingourselvesprettywellacquaintedwiththecharacter,businessandhistoryofall

comers.Wesaytoallsuch,"Standanddeliver!"Andtothisdemandselfmademenareespecially

subject.

Thereisasmallclassofverysmallmenwhoturntheirbacksuponanyonewhopresumestobe

anybody,independentofHarvard,Yale,Princetonorothersimilarinstitutionsoflearning.These

individualscannotbelievethatanygoodcancomeoutofNazareth.Withthem,thediploma is

morethantheman.Tothatmoralenergyuponwhichdependstheliftingofhumanity,whichis

theworld'strueadvancement,theseareutterstrangers.Tothem,theworldisneverindebtedfor

progress,andtheymaysafelybelefttothegentleoblivionwhichwillsurelyovertakethem.

Bytheseremarks,however,thereismeantnodisparagementoflearning.Withallmyadmiration

forselfmademen,Iamfarfromconsideringthemthebestmademen.Theirsymmetryisoften

marredbytheeffectsoftheirextraexertion.Thehotraysofthesunandthelongandruggedroad

overwhichtheyhavebeencompelledtotravel,havelefttheirmarks,sometimesquitevisiblyand

unpleasantly,uponthem.

Whiletheworldvaluesskillandpower,itvaluesbeautyandpolish,aswell.Itwasnotalonethe

hardgoodsenseandhonestheartofHoraceGreeley,theselfmademan,thatmadetheNewYork

Tribune;butlikewisethebrilliantandthoroughlyeducatedmensilentlyassociatedwithhim.

Thereneverwasaselfmademan,howeverwelleducated,who,withthesameexertion,would

nothavebeenbettereducatedbytheaidofschoolsandcolleges.Thechargeismadeandwell

sustained,thatselfmademenarenotgenerallyovermodestorselfforgetfulmen.Itwassaidof

HoraceGreeley, thathewasa selfmademanandworshippedhismaker.Perhaps the strong


26/27

resistancewhichsuchmenmeetinmaintainingtheirclaim,mayaccountformuchoftheirself

assertion.

Thecountryknowsbyheart,andfromhisownlips,thestoryofAndrewJackson.Inmanycases,

thevery

energies

employed,

the

obstacles

overcome,

the

heights

attained

and

the

broad

contrasts

ateverystepforcedupontheattention,tendtoinciteandstrengthenegotism.Amanindebted

forhimselftohimself,maynaturallythinkwellofhimself.

Butthisisapttobefaroverdone.Thatamanhasbeenabletomakehisownwayintheworld,is

anhumblefactaswellasanhonorableone.Itis,however,possibletostateaveryhumblefactin

averyhaughtymanner,andselfmademenare,asaclass,muchaddictedtothishabit.Bythis

peculiaritytheymakethemselvesmuchlessagreeabletosocietythantheywouldotherwisebe.

One other criticism upon thesemen is often very properlymade.Having never enjoyed the

benefits of schools, colleges and other like institutions of learning, they display for them a

contemptwhichisquiteridiculousandwhichalsomakesthemappearso.Amanmayknowmuch

abouteducatinghimself,andbutlittleaboutthepropermeansofeducatingothers.Aselfmade

manisalsoliabletobefullofcontrarieties.Hemaybelarge,butatthesametime,awkward;swift,

butungraceful;amanofpower,butdeficientinthepolishandamiableproportionsoftheaffluent

andregularlyeducatedman.Ithinkthat,generally,selfmademenanswermoreorlesscloselyto

thisdescription.

Frompracticalbenefitweareoftenaboutasmuchindebtedtoourenemies,astoourfriends;as

muchtothemenwhohiss,astothosewhoapplaud;foritmaybewithmenassomeonehassaid

about tea; that if youwish toget its strength, youmustput it intohotwater.Criticism took

TheodoreParkerfromavillagepulpitandgavehimawholecountryforaplatformandthewhole

nationforanaudience.England laughedatAmericanauthorshipandwesentherEmersonand

UncleTom'sCabin.Fromitsdestitutionoftrees,Scotlandwasonceabyword;nowitisagarden

ofbeauty.Fivegenerationsago,Britainwasashamedtowritebooksinherowntongue.Nowher

languageisspokeninallquartersoftheglobe.TheJimCrowMinstrelshave,inmanycases,led

thenegrotothestudyofmusic;whilethedoubtcastuponthenegro'stonguehassenthimtothe

lexiconandgrammarandtothestudyofGreekoratorsandorations.

Thusdetractionpavesthewayfortheveryperfectionswhichitdoubtsanddenies.


27/27

Ladiesandgentlemen:Acceptmythanksforyourpatientattention.Iwilldetainyounolonger.If,

bystatement,argument,sentimentorexample,Ihaveawakenedinany,asenseofthedignityof

labororthevalueofmanhood,orhavestirredinanymind,acourageousresolutiontomakeone

moreefforttowardsselfimprovementandhigherusefulness,Ihavenotspokenaltogetherinvain,

andyourpatienceisjustified.

self-made man - frederick douglas

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