The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-07
Close Of the Meeting For the Pur-
pose Of Helping the Colored
Men.
Resolutions Are Adopted Setting
Forth the Means to Be
Employed.
Wonderful Progress of the Race In Twenty
Five Years-Unfavorable Conditions
g- That Surround Them,


opening of the morning session of the negro
conference the executive committee pre-
sented series Of resolutions, urging educa-
tion as the keynote of the situation-educa-
tion nominal and industrial. Judge
Tourgee spoke on '"rhe negro view of the
race question: and presented series of
resolutions much more radical than those
of the committee. Hon. Andrew d. White
said he believed in peaceful solution of
the race problem, and regretted the defeat
of the Blair bill. Other addresses were
made by John Glenn. of Baltimore: Gen.
Brinkerhoff, of Ohio; Gen. O. O. Howard,
of New York, and Edna d. Cheney, of
Boston.
At the closing session tonight lengthy
set of resolutions was adopted, They re-
cited the encouraging prospects of the ne
gro race and say no other race ever made
such industrial progress in twenty five
years. Mach remains to be done, but there
is material and mental improvement already
in the race and growing tendency to self
believe that the welfare of the country re-
quires that the negro live in relations of
good will and mutual confidence with his
white neighbors, and only on the principles
of justice can such relations be maintained.
10 this end this conference recommends:
IAsO, 1uCEedbeu 1AClllCleS IOr 1QQuSCrlal
training, not only in trades but especially in
improved agriculture; and for girls in
household duties We believe in education
and urge all school authorities to use indus
trial training, not in order ty make the ne
gro the mere toiler, but to make nobler
manhood and womanhood by the discipline
of intelligent labor. Second, the family is
good unit of society. The Christian
home is great civilizer; ultimately in the
home of the colored people the problem Of
the colored race must be solved. The girls
and women of the race must determine the
character of the negro homes. All influ-
ences which tend to purity, intelligence and
women of the negro race should
be systematically fostered. We be-
lieve the one-room cabin is the social
curse OF the negro race, as is the tepee of
the Indian, and the overcrowded tenement
rooms of our cities slums. The conference
earnestly urges the upbuilding Of whole
some, cleanly, intelligent Christian homes,
and the circulation of sound temperance
principles and practice as of the greatest
Importance to the race, and to the upbuild-
ing of such homes all friends of the negro
| IN all parts of the land are urged to use
every effort.
Third. We recognize most gratefully the
noble work for the education of the race al
ready done by the people of the states where
live most of our colored fellow citizens but
this is only good beginning. The COM
mon schools should be made more effective,
a greater number of colored teachers must
be still more efficiently trained at addition
al normal schools. Higher education must
be open to the most capable negroes.
Through proper education is our hope for
this race as for all races.
Fourth, to develop the character of true
manhood and womanhood is the object alike
Of education, free government and Chris
tian civilization. We especially urge upon
all who deal with negroes that they pro
mote self reliant morality. The credit
system with store pay and lien upon crops
has SO uniformly shown itself to be harm
full that we urge its avoidance wherever pos
sible. al
Fifth, to promote those habits of thrift
and productive economy which must un-
derlie the acquisitirn of property and own
ership of land, rs we'll as all advance in
civilization, we urge the establishment by
the United States government of postal
savings system.
Sixth, for the attainment of these ends,
We look to the enlightenment of the Chris
tian element of the people of all parts of
our country. To the unselfish service of
helping the negro help himself, and educa-
tion in morality, in religion, and thus in
civilization and in fitness for citizenship,
we fraternally invite all fellow citizens, OF
whatever race, who love their country and
their SAVIOR.