The Atlanta constitution., 1900-12-03
A PLEA FOR
THE NEGRO
Bv BOOKER t. WASHINGTON,

TSKEGEE Ala. November 26. 19o0.--
Editor Constitution: a few days ago
i'm New York / heard DIR Truman il
Rackus, a famous educator of that state,
say i'm a public address. in discussing the
negro In the south. that there was no
instance in history where the former own
ers Of an enslaved race had even done
so much Immediately after emancipation
Ia assist their former slaves. materially,
educationally and religiously, and had on
TN. whole shown them SO much Kindness
and sympathy as is true OF the whlle
pcople in the south in their dealings WIN
their former slaves since che war Bclore
| heard this remark of Or. BackuSs
had never thought of the matter in this
way. Since l have made some inVeSti-
aation. and. MISUNDERSTANDING many
thinos tbot have taken place in the south
which both races regret I find that ms
toi,- snpports. Dr. BacNusS statement
,rhis Is a record which every white man
and woman and every negro should ne
proud Of Sometimes / know We lhiilN
ve have petty rough times. pHt Nhcn
We take "a broad. generous view OF 'le
history of the south during the last Tor
ia. wears ( think that both races nav
,r.,t reason t. congratulate themselves
mat things are in as good commune" ~
they are ,.,i.,.o
n,t ,bern are any two southern states
,.b.re tho Two races are getting on 50
,..u aud pea,efuliy as i'm Georgia ana
Nlabarna. It seems 10 me that 1t y TO the
interest Of both races that the pieSeh.
GOOD and helpful relations continue.
repret 40 see that a bin is pending before
tbe Georala legislature which. am 'ol''
has for It's object the cutting on oA
1,r,o ,,rnportion Of the public school
fund that is now going to the toloi'
schools such legislation not only serves
to stir un and unsettle the coiored p'o-
~. ana make them discontinued and rest
i, hrt il nrovrs direct loss to the
southern white people who depend upon
n.e.ro labnr for their income IN the farm
inc districts Whenever the nesr" II
tho farming districts Is made 10 feel 'Ii''
fha school privileges for his children are
going To be cut off he at once begins 10
nrepare to move to city Where ne
knows that he can keep his children IN
school eight or nine months IN School9
,b,+ aya maintained by missionary funds
ar hy special taxation. The white lahd-
o,yne.. IS LETT without a, tenant and with
oroat scarcity Of labor in the season when
tbo raer.'s labor is most valuable. | re-
mont that efforts at such legislation hurts
both races. VI causes the negro 10 come
to the cities where he does NOT as
rule. do as well as he did in the country,
because of the severe competition ana
many temptations. ana it causes the whlte
man to lose in dollars because the whlte
man is without sufficient tenants ana Ia
borers.
While I am ON This subject might as
weil add that the aEilau'n "l 'li 4's 50
tive measure WlHCh ~. -'7i"
oppressive results lh hlaN'HS many ~ ~
most valuab PIE culofeu I'oPF i,"Ne 'he
farms for the c4tles 81 'ht so"In or 'He
northern cities. ! am toia On pfouy eood
authority and the "hte newspapers near
out the statement mat tho'Sahds "I the
best color"d teolle nave isIt 'ile l'l i',i'i7
districts OF lhe s-.lle ~ NJ u" a. V','lt tt
Wi'hin inc IaSl I,.W NON ''S ''I'U 80 10
many oi the Whi'' p" t'lS nav Luz w"
sr'at Ihahelh loss "e-' '''Se o' '"c 80
r1y 81 negro l''.l' ..-"pS = ''""s9
the Whlte man VINO HNtS hi 'ilF No"'p4
or who owns land ina the country that Is
- ~. c,,,,,ti,.. or ,,g.,rei, ! tl,inls b,ve