The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-28
GOOD ADVICE WHICH THE NEGRO
WILL NOT FOLLOW.


state negro conference here yester-
Gay, by its president, Rev. C. Fl. King.
was full of wholesome advice to the
race.
The speaker was almost brutany
candid in his arraignment of his own
people, but it was a candor born of
love and desire to remedy the evils
of which he spoke He cut deep be-
cause he feels that the case is one
requiring such treatment. He point
ed ont many faults of the race, but
he referred to none for which he did
not suggest and urge remedy.
'We started wrong" the address
begins, and truer words We're never
spoken. The negro just after the war
between the States turned from his
real friends-the white people of the
Southland followed his worst enemies
the carpet-bagger and demagogue.
These latter used him to his great
hurt and undoing, as he now realizes
On this point Rev. King said:
1--WE were so eager to reach the top that
we didn't have time to build a suitable
foundation. We went upon an imaginary
foundation, and after it is almost too late
we find that most of the hands
that SO lifted us, lifted for their own good
and not ours. We were in such a hurry
that we did not stop to see whose hands
they were. hands of friends. or hands of
those that were using us for their own
good"
speaking to the negro in the South.
They are words of soberness and
truth. He follows them with an APP
peal, first to his own race and then
to the white people. 1t is an appeal
that should not fall on deaf ears and
must not be in vain:
81 have often thought that Immediately
after the Civil War there could have
been an understanding between the slave
and his former owner, whereby each could
have worked Cor the common interest of
both in his own sphere, instead of the
bitter hatred which has existed. l still
think there vet can be such an under
standing. Are there not enough good
people in both races to effect such an end?
l believe the negro is ready. What say
you, our white brother?''
To answer this question one need
but point to the past-to the schools
established for the colored race, to
the asylums and orphanages maintain
ed for their unfortunates, to the
churches built and the missionaries
sent among them to promote moral
ity and encourage frugality. Always
the colored man in his hour of dis
tress has turned to the Southern man
as his friend and his appeal has never
been in vain. 1t never will be as long
as the negro behaves himself and
shows himself worthy.
The speaker realized this as he
spoke, and so, in referring to some
proposed exodus, he gave this sage
counsel:
IF the negro means to do right he can
live here as well as elsewhere. Let him
attend to his own business and let others
alone, and I think the races of the South
can come to an understanding as to each
others rights and we can live here in
peace rs well as we can live elsewhere.
Let us stay here and make it; if we can
not make it here, / doubt very much that
we can make it anywhere
A little further on in his address
he said: "There are race troubles in
New York as well as in New Orleans"
The only trouble with the address
is that it is too candid. 1t will be re-
scented by the negroes instead of fol-
lowed No man likes to be told of
his faults; and the more ignorant he
is, the less he likes it. But the speak
er is real friend of his race, earnest
ly desiring its improvement and prog
ress, and if only they could be induced
to follow his advice new day would
have dawned for the negro.