Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-01-28

ofGermans or Irish or most any other
nationally you will most always find
some periodical in their homes that is de-
voted to their race, also a colored person
will make more money in any business
where there are only 400 oolored then
he will where there are 1900 or 5000
why is this simply because they will nos
patronize him where theae are 80 many,
when he is dependent upon their support
and the word comes what is the need OF
procuring an educationP you cannos get
anything but janltorship, that will always
be the cry unless we support our race en~
terprise; supposing that Des Moines had
three or four groceries and dry good store
meat market and some real estate and
insurance Office operated by colored men
would not that give some employment 70
our young people? and there is enough
colored people in Des Moines to support
all the things that we have enumerated
provided they receive the support OF the'r
race. Ifone of our race seeks a petition
there is only few that will help others
will write articles and work day and
night for his defert, bear in mind friends
that there is not enough fus to always
be divided and get anything. We must
remember the old adage in union there IS
strength we should seek to get more mon
ey, not long ago heard a man relate an
episode which applies to most of our race
throughout the world. He said that there
was an Irishman who had been shoveiing
or thestreet for the past Is years and never
received over 5000 per day and had
very large family, and that there was
colored man who had been plaster for
the same length of time and had always
received from 81 to SIS per day and had
a small family, to day the former is worth
5000 or $4,000 and the latter does not
even own home why is that? because
the former saved his earnings and tho
latter did not. l had q conversation
with Ghrman that followed the business
ofreparing umbrellas and putting hoops
on tubs ect he went from house to house
had been in the business ten years when
he came to this country he was compelled
to mortgage that little furniture he had
to got something 10 eat and a place to
stay to day he has lovely home his
eldest daughter is a student in one of the
leadidg music conservatory in the country
and his daily earning never exceed $500
per day and sometimes he would not
max e that much where is there
there eolored man that would have done
likewise? It's not what VIC make but
what we save, shapes are destiny. Not
long ago 1 had the pleasure Of talking
with Mi. Thompsonof Chicago who Is
said to be worth over quarter Of mil
ton. "He said young man to visit the
homes of our people in this city it was no
wonder that we could not find their names
on the Recorders office books as property
owners there was to much money .expend-
ed in household goods. am in accord
with the "Apostle Of Alabama" when he
says to seek education procure wealth and
establish business houses of our own then
we can have places for our young educa-
tors above menial positions and when we
obtain this we can say as did the poet.
''Pay ransom to the owner, who is the
owner, the slaves is the owner and ever
has been. Dear people let us become as
a unit, patrouizethe race enterprise that
will bring knowledge and wealth even if
1t be indirectly and I assure that ere an
other score passes we will not be compel
led to seek menial places altogether seek
knowledge for it is wealth and be men
and women in |character deeds acts and
loyal to your race.
E. w. Thompson.
nk,r. To-,