The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-05
ADVICE TO THE NEGRO.
some Facts Presented by the Negro
Progress in Georgia.

FrogreSs in Georgia.
President r. r. Wright, of the Georgia
State Industrial College for colored youths.
delivered the address at.the celebration of
the Emancipation proclamation at Column
bus, Ga, on Jan. l. In the course of his
address he said
That the hope of the race is the level
opment of all of its native energies. and
the hope of the nation is for the harmo-
NOUS progress of the two races
Let us take our own state as an exam
pie. Beginning without a dollar the col
ored people of this state pay taxes on $l2,-
,23O worth of property. Within the past
ten years they have increased their prop
erty SO per cent, while our white neigh
bors have increased their property only Is
per centum. The Georgia colored people
pay taxes on more than 1-32 of the entire
assessed property of this state. This es-
innate is proportionately true of the en-
fire south. 1t is not an eXtravagant csu-
mate to say that the colored people of the
United States pay taxes on quite $500 Co.,,
900 worth of property. From this state
ment it is fair to presume that the negro
is drifting into property holder.
Now as to the supposed or suggested
remedies for our ills
1t is suggested:
]. That African immigration is the pan
AGA.
2. That amalgamation or absorption is
the ultimate destiny and solution of our
difficulties.
AS these are sure to fail, suggest the
devotion of our energies.
l. To the establishment of good families
and homes-the bulwark of civilization.
2. The proper training of our children
8. The blotting out of corruption and
bribe-taking among our voters.
A hAe La, +iNr, SEE I,kAY
1 think the white people of the south
ought to grant to the colored voter mi
nority representation in many branches of
the government-city, state and national.
This in my judgment, would go far to-
ward the putting of a stop to bribe-talking,
as there would then be some additional
incentive to vote from principle. Taxa
ton without representation affects the
negro as does the white man.
! wish to conclude this address wi
few suggestions. Let us hope that wise
craftsmanship and a true Christianity shall
right all wrongs and prudently adjust all
differences between labor and capital and
the Anglo-Saxon and the Afro American.
You well know that it is progressive ideas
and integrity of character which save
nation. / wish to suggest to you cooper
alton and sympathy among yourselves. No
race has ever risen to independence that
has depended wholly upon another race
to advise and lead them.
Following these suggestions, the status
of the Afro-American in this country is
most hopeful. The present is suspicious
and the future is full of encouragement.
This is our home; this is our home. Let
this fact be fixed in our minds and also
the additional fact that we are to main
tain the integrity of our race and then let
us continue IN the future as in the past to
strive to live on as amicaDle relations as
possible with our white fellow citizens.
Let us continue to enter into mercantile
and business relations; buy stock in their
railroads and their other corporations
open grocery stores establish banks and
such institutions as our means permit; new
avenues of business will be open to us.
OF late the mills have thrown open their
doors to the employment of men. Let us
give faithful service wherever employed.
Let us not abandon the farm. We under
stand this better than other employment.
Let us advise our folks that in so far as
they can TO stick to agriculture In fine,
let us accumulate every species of prop
erty; educate our children; serve our God
and love our country. But let us never
cease to agitate until every right with
which God has endowed us, and the con-
stitution of our union has guaranteed us,
shall be cheerfully acknowledged and fully
enjoyed. Then ali will be well.