Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/58

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THE AFRO-AMERICAN PRESS.

successful. Impressed by these qualifications, those at whose hands he sought and obtained assistance were ever ready to respond to his appeals. True, there were many other men like Mr. Myers engaged in the same glorious work; but he seems to have had more than ordinary success in accomplishing anything he attempted, to strengthen the mission to which he consecrated his life.

Wherever and whenever he attended Anti-slavery gatherings, he was an effective and even powerful speaker; and no one could listen to him without becoming a warm supporter of his cause.

Meanwhile, The Elevator found its way into the homes of several thousands of patriotic citizens of all races, molding Anti-slavery sentiments in its ceaseless efforts to arouse the American people to a sense of their duty to exterminate from our land a condition of affairs wholly inconsistent with the sublime principles of a republican form of government.

Happily, Mr. Myers lived to see slavery abolished, the Union restored, the Fifteenth Amendment attached to the Constitution of the Nation, and, best of all, the barriers of prejudice gradually weaken their hold upon commercial and professional circles.

He was also permitted to see the Afro-American, the shackled and despised being whom "man's inhumanity to man" had made a chattel, take his initial step in the pathway of ideal American citizenship, unfettered and free; while the cloud of darkness which had enveloped him for two centuries, gave way to the sunshine of education, with opportunities to reach any point in the path of success which nature intended for him.

The last days of Mr. Myers were a fitting end to a life that future generations can but be pleased to admit was crowned with glory and splendor, by his magnificent achievements in behalf of his fellow-men; and connected with his name will