The age-herald., 1899-07-13
 PROF. COUNC1LL ON NEGRO PROBLEM Negroes Should Not Seek So- ciaI Equality. MAKE THEIR OWN WAY Establish Pleasure Places ot Their Own, Embark in Business, Educate Boys and Girls, and
 Give Them Work
MAKE THEIR OWN WAY

Professor ". II. Councill the dlstin- guished negro president of the school Ut Normal, Ala, addressed a large audience of his race at the A. NJ. E. church in Bir- mingham last night. His subject was: "1lhe Value of American Prejudice"
 Rev. W. B. Johnson, formerly principal of Payne university and now pastor of the Birmingham church. has brought quite a number of the leaders of his race here, and is to be commended on securing Pro- lessor Councill
 Professor Councill spoke for over an hour last night, and was frequently inter- 1upted by applause He said, in part:
 "rhe negro in the south, in the hands of southern people, has advantages which he does not enjoy in any other part of our great country. But, mark you, l say the south, in the hands of southern people, who are always willing to grant him a fair chance in the labor markets, and in all the industrial pursuits of the south. I can truthfully affirm that the south'is partial to negro labor. There are two things neces- sary to continue this paruality. First, the negro must make himself such competent and reliable laborer as to produce a de- mand for him. Second, the southern white man must continue his preference for the negro laborer over and above the racial idea It is our duty as leaders to do our part by properly educating the laboring element of our race-which element consti- tutes 95 per cent. of the race. The other per cent, comprising the professions, in self-protection must concern itself about the welfare of the 95 per cent. If we begin with the boys and girls, making them in- dustrious truthful, faithful in service and honest, we need have no fears of the out come on our part.
 Part Played by Prejudice
 American prejudice plays an important part in negro opportunity. Never before in the history of any people has prejudice had such high valuation. Instead of seek ing admission into places of amusement pleasure and instruction run by white peo- pie for white people, let colored men open up such places for their own aceommoda- tion and grow rich. Instead of knocking for admission into white circles, adorn, beautify, elevate, enlarge negro circles and find scope for your broadest and most lofty ambition. Every saloon which refuses the negro a drink, every soda fountain which uecllDeS to serve nm are NOlc6S IGlllng nm to go and open these places and make himself rich. That negro is unwise who goes around asking for such accommoda- tions among whites when the denial is ly friendly advice to open up this bust ness for himself, place his own boys and girls in position and build up his own race by his own patronage. I want my race to find admission wherever honest service is wanted and we will take care of the fun and pleasure places.
 Seeks to Uurace Himself
 "The negro can grow only by being true to his own nature in his own sphere, as God intended. When he seeks to unrace him. self-to run from his black skin, his flat nose, his thick lips and flat feet-then he will make himself despicable in the eyes of other races, and deserves the curse of God. We can not make white man negro, nor a negro a white man. God has made the distinction, and set the bounds of each. Each will grow strong and great only as it is true to its own nature. I honor the white man because he honors himself honor him because he places his mother, sister wife and daughter on a platform up among the stars, get thousand gatling guns, and decrees death to him who seeks to drag them down. l honor him because he throws his powerful arms around every little red-headed, frecked face, poor white girl and boy in the land and makes the way possible for them to rise in this world. I honor him because he does not go around whining and begging to be helped up, but by faith in his own muscle he cuts and carves out his own destiny. Let the negro do likewise, according to his own nature, and in his own sphere, without prejudice to any, with love for all mankind, and he will succeed. Seize these opportunities, culti- vate the most friendly relations with all men, feel deep interest in our south land, and our deeds will count for something with man and God.'