If it thinks that we have been at a stand-still, it errs. The negro, fresh, anxious and ambitious, has been exerting himself, wherever opportunity has offered, to improve his mind and to prepare himself for the complicated duties imposed upon him in consequence of his citizenship. The great mass, it is true, have not made very much progress. It will require a long period, under the most favorable circumstances, for light, intelligence, and culture to leaven the whole mass. Education and intelligence have not reached every individual in the most favored parts of our Union. But it can be truthfully said that even the mass of negroes are not what they were four years ago. They have learned something and made some progress. Much more can be said of individuals in every community. These individuals may be divided into two classes: One consists of the politicians and leaders who were active in former times; the other consists of young men who had reached their majority and who had been, and have been, qualifying themselves for usefulness and leadership. The Reconstruction period, the sudden enfranchisement of the negro, the pressing demand for persons to fill responsible positions, developed many incompetent and unworthy leaders; a very natural thing, and one which has happened many times before. The incompetent and the unworthy were not acceptable to the more respectable and thoughtful of the race. Many of them were as creditable and capable as their neighbors. In view of all the circumstances they did well, notwithstanding the strong indictment of Mr. Hampton to the contrary." He then reaches the main and vital point, which every one will admit is a serious matter for consideration. Says he: "There are also a number of deserving young men. Some of them were born just before the struggle; some of them in the midst of the struggle; and some of them just after the struggle, which gave birth to their freedom. They found their way early
