A group of intellectual students comprising the Senior Class, 1913,
Tuskegee Institute.
]
Every man who has not had a very good or saintly past, is regarded with
suspicion when he joins the ranks of the good and pious. It is not
credited that such a man can become good all at once, and the belief
spreads that his reform is a mere makeshift, a delusion, and an
opportunity for gain.
The Japanese have not been tested by any of the conditions that have
made the civilized races what they are as to reliability after centuries
of experience, and the only thing to be observed is, that they were
found first as a barbaric tribe, or semibarbaric, with the most hideous
manners and customs, and a religion that was mere idol worship.
If the first American admiral who forced western civilization upon them
through trade and commerce could see them now at the bargain counter of
opportunities, he would be amazed.
Their arts and sciences are marvels of beauty; their home life when they
are not fighting is amid a bower of roses, and they can imitate anything
as to mechanical workmanship from a toy dog to a complicated man-of-war.
They make everything the civilized men make, and sell them for a
pittance. They know what they want and they get it or declare war.
Never did such a race of men exist since history began, and it has
sprung up into prominence within about half a century, without being
deep or profound, and having a character that is so dubious that one
never knows whether he is your friend or enemy.
While studying this race of small men, one is almost tempted to urge
every man behind in this world’s favors, to do as the Japanese. It is
indeed an incentive to wake up and go ahead.