The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-31
SPEECH BY J. C. |. HARRIS
Interesting Exhibits Of All Kinds in
the Floral Hall.
DISPLAY OF GREENsBoRoA &M. COLLEGE
Col. Harris Exhors the CoIored People to Turn
Their Attention to Material Progress and
Acquisition Of Property 10 Order
10 Gain Influence.

opened yesterday with appropriate cere-
grounds. Hon. ]. C. L. Harris made the
opening speech, and the fair was started
under most favorable auspices. The pro-
cession formed at about quarter to one
O'Clock at Secretary Williamson's office on
Wilmington street, and proceeded by way
of Wilmington and Fayetteville streets
to the Fair grounds, headed by Chief
Marshal James H. Jones, attended by the
assistant marshals. all mounted, and fol-
lowed by the Star Cornet Band of Green's
boro.s Next came carriages containing the
officers of the association and others
At the grounds, an animated scene was
presented. The finishing touches were
being put upon the many exhibits and
booths. Perhaps the exhibit that at
tracted most attention was that of the A.
and M. College at Greensboro This oc
eupied the center of the hail. and con-
tanned many specimens of student work
in wood and iron, and many engineering
plans and architectural designs. There
was model of a steam engine, which
received the second prize at the State
specimens of lace making done by the
girls at the college, and needle work.
crocheting and embroidery as taught at
this institution. One very pretty dress
was made by child of only thirteen.
Some of the other noticeable exhibits
were ]. w. Barber & Sons buggies and
carriages, the Sanford Sash and Blind
Company's beautiful mantels and wood
work, several splendid displays of farm
products, and the exhibit of the Union
Home School, Moore county.
Franklin county's booth contains some
very interesting things, among others
some red blankets, the wool of which was
grown by an old colored man of the coun-
ty named Wallace Cook. Wake county S
display consists for the most part of all
kinds of fancy work, ornamental quilts
and women's work of all kinds, including
great deal of beautiful embroidery. 1t
is a creditable showing.
Upon the arrival of the speaker of the
day. all present gathered in the Floral
Hall to hear the opening speech. After
prayer by Rev. S. w. Moore, President
Thomas Donaldson introduced Hon. j. c..
l.. Harris, who spoke in effect as follows
, 1T gives me pleasure to be here today,
because am always glad on an occa-
sion OF this kind to lend any assistance
in my power. There ought to be a great
outcome for the colored race in the pur-
suit of agriculture. The time has past
when farm work was not thought elevat-
ing Now any work done with skill and
success is deemed honorable among all
men. There is not enough disposition
among you to pursue farming and agricul-
ture. With the present schools, there
ought to be great Improvement in this
respect, for the schools we now have will
educate boy along the lines of chemistry
and the possibilities of different kinds of
SOIL This sort of education is what the
farmer of this day must have. The time
for following blindly in the footsteps of
our fathers is past.
81 suggest to you that you petition the
next Legislature for an appropriation to
be applied to textile education in your
schools, so that the cotton you raise here
will not have to be sent away to be wo-
ven, and then sold back to you again.
You have plenty of intelligence to learn
weaving. 1t is the material things you
must attend to now; there has been
enough of politics. You must become
skilled laborers, in order that you may
acquire property, which will give you in
fiuence in the community. Find out the
one talent you possess, and train that
talent to be of profit to you. Let the
young who can farm SO as to make it pay
stay on the farm by all means. No doubt,
the colored people of North Carolina have
been much disheartened by past events,
but what you have to do now is to turn
your attention to what will advance the
race along the lines of material develop
ment The greatest evil, doubtless, that
ever befell the colored race was that they
remained solid with the Republican party
in the Southern States, but now, if the
Constitutional Amendment goes into eff
feet the educated colored man will have
the right of suffrage, and then there will
be different classes within the race,
based upon intelligence. This will bring
influence, since both political parties will
be anxious to protect the rights of a
class of intelligent voters.
AS an illustration of how colored man,
even in the old days, could gain esteem
and respect by his intelligence, Col. Har-
ris cited the case of an old colored man
here well known to the last generation,
who taught school here, and educated the
sons of many of the best known citi-
zens.
In closing, the speaker emphasized the
need of material development, saying that
when we want something done, we look
for the man who can do it best, with
out regard to race or color. He then
showed the Importance of such annual
fairs as this one, bringing out the work
of the people in all the different branches
for comparison and stimulation, and
creating friendly relations among the peo-
pie from all parts of the State.
A large crowd is looked for tomorrow
and next day. There is plenty of amuse-
ment on the grounds. The educated horse
and the strong man have remained over
from last week, and Lester Mcdaniel, the
champion colored trick bicyclist, will give
exhibitions. There will be football game
one day between Shaw University and St
Augustine college.
The procession to the grounds today
Eill leave at u o'clock sharp. Speeches