The Daily State Chronicle

THE NEGROES LOVED HIM.

A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GOVERNOR DANIEL G. FOWLE.

Delivered by Dr. J. S. Thompson (Col.) at St. Paul's A. M. E. Church on Sunday Morning--An Eloquent Discourse.

The CHRONICLE always rejoices in the feeling of cordiality and kindness that exists between the white and colored people of North Carolina. The friendly relations that they always had for Governor Fowle are well known to all our citizens. It was emphasized by their sorrow at his death. We are glad to print the following eulogy delivered by Rev. J. S. Thompson (col.), D. D., at St. Paul's A. M. E. Church on Sunday. It is worth a thousand arguments to prove that there is no race problem here, but the races dwell together in peace and concord. The following is the address:

Great are the dispensations of Providence and deep are the purposes of infinite wisdom. They are high--we cannot reach up to them; they are deep--we cannot fathom them; broad--we cannot grasp them, and all His works are incomprehensible. "His ways are past finding out." His is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty. All of the dispensations of God in the interest of His people are attended with circumstances of dismay. His ways of dealing with man and with nations cannot be fully traced. Nations and individuals are called upon to trust in His righteousness. Infinite wisdom does not lead us into the way that seems most pleasant and agreeable to us; but finds the way best for us. Israel would not have chosen the passage across the Red Sea, but the way which God chose was salvation to them and destruction to their enemies. In every onward movement, or grand deliverance, or chastisement for the good of people, God accomplishes his designs without the aid of mortals. His way is hidden from the wise and great. Through sad experiences we are often led to a knowledge of His ways. God's purposes are fulfilled by the means of agents. Individuals, nations and governments are all agents of God fulfilling His will and pleasure. All of the contingents necessary to the certain development and accomplishment of Heaven's pleasure provided for in the concentration of God's providences. Men of great endowment fitted for the peculiar and specific work marked out by the Divine hand, come into position not in an ordinary way, but in a manner that stirs the deep sensation, breaks the monotony and harmony of old and long established usages. They set men to thinking and investigating, the new order of things, and comparing them with the old systems, till a better and healthier order of things is formed.

We trace the hand of God in all ages of the world in the revolutions and changes wrought to secure the advancement and elevation of mankind. God's plan always makes man a party and co-worker in the development of every scheme in the interest of humanity. There is nothing on which the progress of nations, societies, denominations and institutions so much depends or which enters more fully into the great changes that mark the progress of civilization and culture than the agency of great men of great comprehensive minds. Great minds are endowed for great works. In this the wisdom of God is manifested, in bringing upon the stage from time to time, men competent to introduce changes and reforms, to give to society and affairs a new start. By a single act of a truly great mind the condition of a nation has been changed in a day and lifted to a higher level in the scale of human excellence, and the work of a generation accomplished, which otherwise might have taken ages of orderly development. He who endows and sends forth knows the end and purpose of His decrees. "He sees from the beginning to the end." Heaven endows some men with great originality, acuteness and force, whereby to develop great principles; to give systematic form and order to the progress of education and civilization. The force of circumstances and conditions of society bring to the front the providential agents fitted for the emergency. Heaven gives the capacity, then evokes it to give to develop the inherent skill, energy, strength and power to accomplish the end designed. This was most true of Adam. God gave him the ability and then tested it by bringing the creatures before him in order that he might name them. There is an inherent latent capacity stored in the depths of a man's being like the precious ores in the earth--unless called up from without it remains passive. The culminating disorders of societies, nations, denominations bring forth the revolutions, changes and reforms, which give opportunity for the exercise of ready skill, in store for the emergency. Thy way is in the sea and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

The Providence that called the chief of this commonwealth so suddenly from us, from the head of a State and a loved family is shrouded in mystery. By this many may be brought to consider Him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will. Let us humble ourselves before God in great reverence and humble submission, for saith He, "Be still, and know that I am God."

We may be asked why do we interest ourselves in a memorial meeting? Why are we moved with sympathy and mourn the loss of the Chief of this commonwealth? I will tell you the reason: Our great men and rulers are the common property of all. The great men of civil nations live in the hearts of the people. It is the pride of the State to boast of their great men. We assemble ourselves to do honor to our departed Chief, to express our high regard in common with all others. We wish to show that we, as a people, are not unmindful nor ungrateful. Gov. Fowle was a Christian, a man of excellent parts. He was a positive character, severe when necessary, but usually pleasant and affable, treating all with consideration and courtesy.

On several occasions he declared himself as the friend of the negro. He did so upon one occasion in the great city of New York. He did the same here at his own home. Possibly none of us have forgotten the sound advice and words of good cheer given by him on the occasion of the Emancipation Celebration the first day of this year. He spoke eloquently and earnestly the convictions of his heart. He said it would be his pleasure to aid us in any possible way. With pleasure he had watched the progress of the colored people and thought that they had done commendably well. I thought at the time that not a man North or South could have been more reasonable than he. I believed then and now that Governor Fowle spoke the real conviction of his heart. Dear friends let me say in good faith, we must make friends with that class of men who are able and willing to aid us. We must be one people in interest, one in effort, having the same aim and purpose in view. I am satisfied that the white people of the State prefer us to foreigners and strangers. We know them and they know us. We need to come forward and present ourselves and show our appreciation and identify ourselves with the great movements that interest and concern us.

On the grave of our Governor let us stop and shed a tear and strew flowers upon it. Let us say to all, we have lost a friend in Daniel Gould Fowle. Let us invoke Heaven's blessings on the family, on his successor in office and on all the people.

Stewart Ellison made some touching remarks on the life and character of the Governor; he said that Governor Fowle was a good man, a friend to the colored people.

Mr. Ellison moved that the address of Dr. Thompson be sent to the Daily CHRONICLE for publication. The motion was seconded by Norfleet Jeffreys and was unanimously adopted by the congregation.