The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-13
Booker 7. Washing.
ton Wants it Elm.
mated.
THEN THE SOUTH WILL SUCCEED.
McCorckle Says the Negro
Is Not Ready
for It.

Huntsville, Ala, Oct 1.-THE race
question was the topic of discussion to-
day by the delegates to the southern in
dustrial council
Prof. Booker T. Washington of Tus-
kegee received an enthusiastic recep-
ton and addressed the delegates as
follows:-
I'm saying what do today, although
myself q negro and an ex-slave, there
is no white man whose heart is more
wrapped up in every interest of the
south and loves it more dearly than is
true of myself. The south can have no
sorrow that 1 do not share. She can
have no prosperity that ! do not rejoice
in. She can commit no error that do
not deplore; She can take no step for
ward that l do not approve.
DON'T FORGET THE BLACK LA
BORER.
THE south extends protecting arms
and welcome voice to the foreigner,
all nationalities, languages and condi-
tons, but in this l pray that you will
not forget the black man at your door.
whose habits you know, whose fidelity
you have tested. You make of others
larger gatherers of wealth, but you
cannot make of them more law abiding,
~useful and God-fearing people than the
negro who has been by your side for
three centuries, and whose toll in for
est, field and mine has helped to make
the south the land of promise and glori-
GUS possibility.
SHALL THE NEGROES STAY?
Before we can make much progress
we must decide whether or not the ne
gro is TO be a permanent part Of the
south. With the light that is before us
we have no hesitation IN declaring that
the great bulk of the negro population
VIII permanently abide in your midst
Any hesitation, any hating or doubt
ing as to the permanent residence of
the race will work infinite harm to the
industrial and economic interests of
both races. Here in its wisdom provi-
denoe has placed the colored man
Here he will remain. Here he came
without language; here he found the
Anglo-Saxon tongue. Here he came in
paganism; here he found the religion of
Christ. Here he found barbarism. Here
he found civilization. Here he came
with unframed hands. Here he found
industry.
INDUSTRIAL FREEDOM.
The south has within itself the
forces that are to solve this tremendous
problem You have the climate the soil
the material wealth. You have the la
Dor to be performed that will occupy
many times our present negro popula-
ton. While the calls come daily from
South America, from the Hawaiian is
lands, from the north and west for the
strong and willing arm of the negro in
the field Of industry, you, at your very
doors, have that which others are en-
ergetically seeking. Not only are you
In possession of that which others are
seeking but, most important of all, Gus
tom and contact have so knit the two
races together that the black man finds
in these southern states an open Sc
same in labor industry and business
that is not surpassed elsewhere. 1t is
here alone, largely by reason Of the
presence of the negro, that capital is
freed from the tyranny and despotism
that prevents you from employing
whom you please. and for that wage
which is mutually agreeable and pro
ftable. 1t is here that that form Of
slavery which prevents a man from
selling his labor to whom he pleases on
account of his color is almost unknown.
We have had a slavery, now dead, that
forced an individual to labor without
salary, but none that compelled him to
remain in idleness while his family
starved
THE negro in all parts of the country
Is beginning to appreciate the advan-
tages which the south afford him for
earning living, for commercial devel-
opnent, and in proportion as this is
true 1t viii constitute the basis Of the
settlement Of other difficulties.
NEGROES NOT STRIKERS AND
ANARCHISTS.
while the negro is grateful for the OBJ
portunities which he enjoys in the bust
Less of the south. you should remember
that you are in debt to the black man
for furnishing you with labor that is
almost stranger to strikes to lock-
outs and labor wars. labor that is law
abiding, peaceful, teachabie, labor that
Is one with you III language, sympathy.
religion and patriotism, labor that has
never been tempted to follow the red
flag of anarchy, hut always the safe
nag of his country and the spotless ban
ner of the cross.
WIPE OUT THE RACE QUESTION
But if the south is to go forward
and not stand STILL If she is to reach
the highest reward from her wonderful
resources, and keep abreast of the
progress of the world, she must reach
that point without needless DELAY
where she will not be contin-
ually advertising to the world
that she has a race question ia
settle. We must reach that point
there at evoiy election, from the choice
of a magistrate to that of a governor
the decision will not hinge upon dis
cussion Of revival Of the race ques-
ton. We must arrive at that period
where the great fundamental questions
of good roads, education Of farmers
agricultural and mineral development
manufacturing and industrial and pub
lie school education win be in larger
degree the absorbing topics in our po-
litical campaigns. But that we may
get this question from among us, the
white man has duty to perform; the
black man has duty. No question il
ever permanently settled until it is set
tied in the principles of the highest jus
tfce.
CAPITAL AND LAWLESsNESS
will not dwell together. The white man
who learns to disregard law when a ne