Excerpt from Celebration by the Colored People's Educational Monument Association, in Memory of Abraham Lincoln, on the Fourth of July, 1865, in the Presidential Grounds, Washington, D. C

Gentlemen: You are right in the belief that I feel a deep and long cherished interest in everything that may aid my brethren and fellow countrymen of African lineage in developing their patriotism and promo ting the Spread of intelligence among themselves. Your invitation to be present at the great Lincoln Monument meeting on the 4th gives me great pleasure, as showing that I cannot be forgotten in my old age but unfortunately it came after I had engaged to be present at a meeting among my native hills in Massachusetts and the request for a notice in the Independent comes too late, as the paper for this week was already printed.

I wish you much success in your laudable undertaking. The Anglo Africans of this country have now their destiny in their own hands. The struggle, if brave and persevering, is the very thing to develop their man hood, and their very hardships train them to be worthy of freedom. It is the way my Pilgrim Fathers were made what they were, and they bore cheerfully all their trials for the sake of preparing what we enjoy. A race of people that can live for their children and for posterity cannot but become great.

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