If the colored men of the South are to continue their grip as the wage-workers and wealth-producers of that section they must bring to their employments common intelligence and skill; and these are to be obtained in the South as in the North, by apprenticeship and in schools specially provided for the purpose.
Instead of spending three to seven years in mastering higher education, which presupposes favorable conditions, colored youth should spend those years in acquiring a "common school education," and in mastering some trade by which to make an honest livelihood when they step forth into the world of fierce competition.
Some may ask: Shall we, then, not have some scholars, men learned in all that higher education gives?
Of course; and we should have them.
Men fitted by nature for special pursuits in life will make preparation for that work.

Water will find its level.

Genius cannot be repressed.

It will find an audience, even though the singer be Robert Burns at his plow in the remoteness of Ayr, or the philosophic AEsop in the humble garb of a Greek pedant's slave.

Genius will take care of itself; it is the mass of mankind that must be led by the hand as we lead a small boy.