The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-01
Audience Listens to Strong and En-
tertaining Address from Book
er Il. Washington.
GOVERNOR MOUNT ALSO TALKED
HIS REMARKS WE'RE RECEIVED
WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM.
Council Adjourns to Hold the Next
Annual Session in the City
of Philadelphia.

The presence of Prof. Booker t. Wash
ington, the noted colored educator and
lecturer, rendered notable the closing SEES
sion yesterday afternoon of the Afro
American Council. Professor Washington
entered the Senate chamber of the State
house at time when Secretary McGhee,
the man of the robust lungs, was reading
Bishop c. I. Shaffers paper ON the subject
OF Shall the Negro Leave the South?
The distinguished leader of the colored
race was instantly recognized and greeted
with storm CT applause and cheers, rem
dering few minutes suspension OF bust
ness necessary until the tumult subsidized.
Professor Washington was conducted to
the speakers rostrum by his lifelong friend,
L. I. Fortune, editor of the New York Age.
AT the same time Governor Mount who re-
turned to the city yesterday, came in TO
visit the council, and was also given an
ovation Prior TO the address by Professor
Washington, Governor Mount was intro
duced, and made one of his happy speeches
to the council. The Governor has probably
never been in better form for speech max
ing, and his neatly worded remarks scored
whom they were delivered Several times,
in the course of his talk, he suggested that
he had better stop and give way 10 the
man whom they. perhaps, wanted more to
hear-Professor Washington-but from all
parts of the house came cries of go on;
you are our friend Governor Mount said:
at has been your good fortune to have a
better representative, perhaps, to deliver
an address OF welcome on behalf OF the
State in the person of Attorney General
Taylor than you would have mad III the
Governor had been present when your coun-
Gil began Its sessions. | assure you II gives
me pleasure to extend to you simply
word of greeting. / know at this time it Is
inopportune for me to detain you even Tor
a moment with speech. You have before
you, and soon TO address you, one or the
most distinguished educators in the land
[great applausel, man who IS doing more
for the uplifting of race than any man.
perhaps, on this continent lapplause] and
1t would be presumptuous on my part 10
occupy moment of your time in the pres
ence of that one who has done so much for
you, and TO whom you are so much indebt-
ed This Is a time. ii seems TO me, of all
times when the colored race should be
looking after their interests. AT time
when they are being deprived of their
rights of citizenship, rights granted to
them by the Constitution of the United
States [applausel, 1t is time for those peo-
pie to be concerned for their interests.
[Applause.] 1t is right and proper that
you men should meet In convention. lap
plausel II is right and proper that
you men should demand your rights under
the Constitution of the United States. Zap
plause] Why, it seems to me a strange
procedure in this county when in some of
the States men are being deprived of their
constitutional rights, deprived of, voice
at the ballot box-and that is the only
safeguard that you have for your liberties
To nd In danrfVatiOn
of the colored men that love this country
and rallied under the flag of the Union
That the Nation might be preserved are now
deprived of voice in the government they
defended. GApplause.] But i must not
take your time. [Cries of Go on; you are
our friend.l
GOVERNOR SPOKE PLAINLY.
81 rejoice in the new progress that you
are seeking to make as race, and let me
say just In word one of the needs of the
colored people to-day is 10 appreciate their
right as citizens and TO become interested
as business men in public affairs. IGreat
applause.l 1t is to be regretted that we see
so maryland 1 will speak plainly now
young colored men marching the streets
dressed in tailors suit, carrying dainty
cane [laughterl and seemingly carrying all
that they have on their backs. What the
ored young man or a white young man-is
to earn livelihood, is TO earn money, is to
have a bank account is to secure a bust
ness, and he will have more respect for
himself and will command the respect of
others. Tremendous applause.l Now, this
condition is not confined alone TO the young
colored men who parade the streets. but we
have too many young white men that have
all the exterior polish upo-, their backs, and
the difference is the ~ red fellow has
earned what he has on AIS back and put
all his earnings on his back, While too
many of the white young fellows have on
their backs the earnings of their fathers.
Laughter and applause.l 1t ought to be a
test of colored men all over the United
States to become business men, men of in
dustry and men who are determined to Sc
cure for themselves recognition in society
[Applause.l People will have more respect
for you. i do not mean to urge you to set
particular store in wealth, but when a man
is accommodating something, is accommodating
a home, is helping TO increase the wealth
of the country and becomes business man,
we have more respect for him. He becomes
a better citizen by it. And SO the parting
word l would speak to these people would
be, DO all in your power to make your
selves worthy OF every right guaranteed TO
any other citizen [applausel. and then see
to Ii that your rights are accorded you lap
plause], your just rights under the Consti-
tuition. Be worthy of those rights, and
then, like men. demand your rights Tire
mendous applause.] j thank you for this
kindness.
. Senator Alain promptly moved a vote of
thanks for Governor Mount. which was
given with a spontaneity and heartiness
that showed its sincerity.
When Professor Washington arose to adj
dress the council he confronted an audience
magnificent in point of numbers and Of dis
tinction. In addition to the many notable
men who were present as delegates to the
council among the spectators were noticed
Mrs. 3. Il. Bruce. widow of the late Hon.
Blanche K. Bruce. registrar OF the United
States treasury. and her sister, Mrs. Will
son; United States Minister TO Austria
Hungary. Hon. Addison c. Harris; James
Whitcomb Riley. THE Hoosier Poet
Judge Elijah 3. Martindale Judge George
l.. Reinhard. Charles E Wilson, Governor
Mounts secretary; Attorney General WI
liam l.. Taylor and many other state Off
GERS and deputies. Professor Washington
introduced by his intimate friend. T
Thomas Fortune. of New York.. who said
that although he himself is a radical and
Professor Washington is a decided conser-
vative. he loves Professor Washington and
places unbounded confidence in him.
Mr.. Washington's Speech.