The Afro-American advance., 1899-09-02
RI. RANSOM.
Makes an Explanation in the Fol-
lowing Letter.


To the Editor The Advanee:-please
permit me to correct a statement made
in your excellent report OF the National
Afro-Americau council. published in the
last issue.
Ii was stated there that at the Satur-
day morning session OF the council.
while most of the members were absent
on committees, that | arose and made
an attack upon Professor Booker L.
Washington. calling him coward and
a trimmer | arose at the urgent re
quest OF Mrs. Booker I. Washington
to move that her name be stricken from
the programme OF the National Afro
American council | said that it was
unfortunate that we could not have the
benefit OF the presence OF that distin-
guished man of our race. Booker /.
Washington. but that | had been re-
liably informed that the reason that he
remained away from our session was
because he feared that some incorporate
remarks would be made which might
iniure him IN his educational work ii
he were identified with us.
said that il Booker 7 Washington.
the school teacher. thought that his
coming among us might III some way
jeopardlze the interest OF his school IN
which he is putting the best energies
oi his lie, II was right Tor him to re-
main away, that he should do nothing
which would harm the splendid work ot
his heart and brain But as Mr. Wash
ington is generally regarded by the
white people of the nation as the fore
most American negro and the leader oi
his race. ielt that he should have been
present with us
II he is our Moses. he ought to have
been here to lead us II he is our sage.
he ought to have been here To teach rs
wisdom II there was any danger oi our
going wrong, he ought 10 have been
present To set us right felt there was
no danger oi his position on any qucs-
tion being misrepresented, as the news
papers would have fully reported any
utterauces OF his.
1t may have been unwise for me To
have referred to Mr.. Washington at all.
but | certainly did not do so with any
intention either TO misrepresent him or
to do him harm, but when to the TACT
that the evening before | made these re-
marks he sent Tor Bishop Walters. the
president. and stood under the lamp post
IN front OF my house, which is opposite
the church, and talked Tor quite a while.
was added the fact that he had previous
ly sent for him TO confer with him at
his hotel. | felt that If he had any mes
sage to convey to the council, or desired
to exercise any control over its delib-
erations. he should have come into our
midst We had met 10 deliberate upon
our social industrial educational. hnan-
cial and civil conditions; we needed the
help OF our best and wisest minds,
The convention was representative IN
character, having among its members
FIVE bishops. seven editors. six promi-
nent educators OF the colored youth.
score OF ministers. ten or twelve lawyers
and doctors. besides farmers. mechanics.
and laborcrs | felt, and still feel. that
neither Mr. Washington nor his school
could be injured by being associated
with such men
think that we cannot too highly
honor Mr. Washington for the splendid
work he is doing ior his race and mine
in the black belt OF Alabama. and ot his
demonstration oi the negro's capacity
for the management OF large affairs.
of which he is such a splendid example
| did not call HIM traitor, or a trim
mer. or a coward, as every one who was
present when | spoke well knows. These
words may have been uttered from the
audience ] do not know; ] did not hear
them ! simply protested against his
manifest inclination to keep away from
the convention because Of his exalted
position as a recognized leader OF his
race. X. {. RANSOM.
pagt,r petbef AZ T. CburrL