Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-13
TALK OVER RACE QUESTION
Noted COiored Men Appear Before
the Southern Industrial
Convention.

. HUNTSVILLE, Ala, Oct. 12.-The race
question was the topic of discussion today
by delegates to the Southern Industrial con-
venton.
The presence OF two Of the most prominent
negroes in the south and the knowledge that
they, together with Governor McCorkle OF
West Virginia. would speak upon the sub
jeCt, attracted the largest attendance OF the
convention.
President C. W. Dabney OF the University
of Tennessee was the speaker OF the day.
He discussed the improvement Of agricul-
ture in the south, urging higher education
of the farmer as a means to this end.
Prof. Booker T. Washington, principal of
the Industrial college at Tuskegee, Ala, was
given an enthusiastic reception. He was in
troduced by Colonel Kllebrew of Nashville,
acting chairman, in a graceful speech.
Mr.. Washington said in part:
In all discussion and legislation bearing
upon the presence of the negro in America il
should be borne in mind that we are deal
ing with a people who were forced to come
here without their consent and in the face
negro a claim upon your sympathies and
generosity that no other race can possess.
Besides, though forced from his native land
his choosing, he has earned his right to the
title of American citizen by obedience to
law, by patriotism and fidelity and by the
millions which his brawny arm and willing
hands have added to the wealth of this
country.
1t is a sign of a new era when we can so
far forget the past that convention freed
from political influence and selfish motive
composed Of the most progressive and In
states, are wise and brave enough to de-
vote day to the negro and his relation to
the economic progress of the south. 1t is
| well, it is praiseworthy, 1t Is wisdom that
you do this, No people ever had so much to
gain by the lifting up of race No people
In saying what / do today, although my
self negro and an eX-slave, there Is no
| white man whose heart is more wrapped up
! in every interest of the south and loves 1t
south can have no sorrow that do not
share. 1t can have no prosperity that DO
rejoice IN can s2mmi no no eTfeT sep fH@
| Different in race, in color, in history, we
can teach the world that although thus diff
| fcring It is possible for us all to dwell side
! by side in love, I'm peace and material pros,
perity We can be one as as believe we wi VIII
! pathy, purpose, forbearance and mutual
| hepfulness, Let him who would embtter,
| and mine be accursed in his basket and his
| store, cursed in the fruit of his body and
| fruit of his land, No man can plan the
| himself degraded. The highest test of the
civilization of any race IS In its willingness
to extend helping hand to the less for
The south extends protecting arms and a
| welcome voice to the foreigner, all ma
! tionalitles languages and conditions, but in
| this / pray that you will not forget the
| black man at your door, whose habits you
| make of others larger gatherers of wealth,
but you cannot make of them more law
| the negro who has been by your side for
| three centuries, and whose toll in forest,
! field and mine has helped to make the
south the land of promise and glorious pos
| SbilitY.