The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-13
7HE NEGRO
PROBLEM.
Booker 7. Washington In
terests an Audience of
White and COlOred.

An auiionce of five hundred colorct
| people and about one hundred white men
| among whom were Rev. Ezra Tinker and
| Col Benjamin Nields, last night heard
| Booker 4. Washington, one OF the fore
most men Of the black race, speak in
| Zion NJ. Il. Church on the negro problem
| of the south. Rev. o. ID. Robinson, who
presided, introduced Mr.. Washington.
Mr.. Washington said. there is but one
why to work out this problem-Gofs way.
If history Is examined 1t Is found that the
negro race is the only one that came
to America by special provision, They
were Of such need they had TO be sent for,
and in putting them to so much trouble
1t would bo unkind and ungratsful II the
negro did not obIige the white people by
staying.
The colored people have got to tho bed
rock. There is common sense i'll educa-
ting the colored people. There is no differ
ence between the white man in Gods
creative power, but there Is difference
between them in freedom and to say there
Is no difference between thom in freedulu
and slavery is to argue that slavery was
not curse.
Education has advanced steadily in the
direction Of bringing men In contact with
matter. There Is scarcely first-class
college In the country that has not placed
In a scientific department. Industrial sdu.
cation Is an application Of the mind con-
querng forces of nature. Mr. Washing
ton said he would advise all people to get
all the mental development they can, aud
he would plead with the oolored people
with all his soul to use 1t along certain
lines. What to do with education after 1t
is gotten In tue heads is the problem con-
fronting tho old colored father and mother
whose children have graduated from this
public schools and colleges.
1t has been demonstrated that the COL
ored people. Mr.. Washington said. can get
education In their heads as easily and 1t
will stay there as long as iu any raco In
the world
This world cares for but what you and
can do, Intelligent training for any race
without training tho hands has II tendency
to put so many smart" pcoplo in this
world.
The rank and file of the colorsd people
work hard, but by reason OF their want
Of skill and intelligence sumo one else re-
cei"es the profits.
Industrial education Is not meant TO
teach ono how to work as much rs to
teach him how to make the forces of ma
ture work for him. 1t is tho ignorant. IN
skilled man who tolls from day to day
with his hands. The idea, the speaker
said that when black man gets an eduoa-
ton he must either teach school, preach or
walk tho streets, would ruin any race. He
would like to see The young men when
they came out OF school start in business.
II should bo the last to apologize for the
curse of slavery" said Mr.. Washington.
This business training in the iuutter OF
skilled labor on plantation left lis at the
close Of The war III possession of all the
common aud skilled labor In the South,
but the great problem that is pressing
upon US more and more as race is can we
still hold on to this legacy. We must put
brains and skill into tho common occu-
pants that are about our doors; and we
must dignity and enoble common labor.
"Ihe two races will be us ono in all
civil and CONNER ciul relations Just In pro-
portion as the negro, by reason Of skill and
educated brains, produces something that
the white man wants or RESPECTS and when
you pursue thu question little fnrbher,
one white man cares little for another
white man, except as tho ono has some-
thing that tho other wants.
"fhe white man honors the negro that
llYes in II two-story brick house, whether
he wants to or not. In I'LL history you
cannot tlnd u race that possessed property,
industry, Intelligence and character til at
has long been denied lis rights. By reason
Of the negros lack of skill. he Is at pros
ent ut the bottom, so far rs tho matt er Of
profit SHARING Ia concerned.
Immediately after The war 1t wOuld
have been wiser II some of the time had
been spent in becoiuing the leading real
bstat8 dealers, or carpenters, ur in START
ing dairy farms and truck gardens, aud
thus have laid q material foundation on
which We could have stood aud demanded
our rights. IL Is only as the negro Is
taught to mix with his religious fervor
and emotion habits Of industry. economy,
land. houses with two or three rooms, and
n little bank account, just as the white
man does that he will have Il Christianity |
that will be worthy of the nams."
Il propose said tho speaker, that the
negro take his place upon the high ground
of usefulness, forgiveness and generosity,
and that he Invite tho white men every. |
where to step up and ocoupy this position |
with him,
My friend, Of the white race," conclud. |
cd tho speaker, 1--WE are one in this country |
Tho question Of the highest citizenship |
and the complete education Of all con-
cerns ten millions OF my psnpe ami sixty
millions OF yours. Tharo il no power that
cnn separate our destiny. No member OF
your race can harm the weakest or inennest
member of my racs without the proudest
lnd bluest blood in your civilization be-
Ing degraded The negro cnnnot afford to
be wronged. Tho white mon cannot afford
to wrong him. Unjust laws nr customs
niurr the white man and Inconvenience
the negro.
mo race can wrong another tacs simply
because it has the power without being
and dragged down in its moral
status. We are Il patient, humble race.
There Is plenty in this country for US to
10, Away up in tho atmosphere of good
'ess, forbearance, patience and forgive
TOSS the workers are not many or ever.
II Othors would be little, wo
IAN be great; If Others would be maan we
IAN be good; If others wond push us
Town. we can help push thom up. Char
lcter, not circumStunre makes tho man.