Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-10-31

cast their votos without question, and
have them counted. / am led TO be
lieye that these few colored men really
exercise more influence in politics than
tho masses who voted without no
straint few years ago, for the reason
that their votes were In most cases
freely counted gut or in some way got
ten rid Of. may be mistaken, but
am led to feel that gradually, as our
people get property and intelligence.
bsoome CONSERVATIVES. and learn the
lesson of casting their fortune In every
honorable way with their neighbors,
they are not going to be refused an op-
portunity to vote.
Notwithstanding the hopeful and en-
couraging indications to which have
referred, the fact must not be- over
looked or smothered that there 10 an
immense amount of work to be done in
tho direction of education IN the
broadcast sense In this portion of the
South, before conditions will be re-
lievei from danger and anxiety, There
never was greater opportunity for
people OF wealth to do something that
would lit up an entire section OF
country regardless OF race than is pre-
scented IN the South.
1t means a great deal, find, for our
Southern States to have the right kind
OF governors. Mississippi in the present
governor. Longino, has one Of the
brayest, wisest, and most Just governors.
lie has spoken out fearlessly in favor
OF education, and particularly against
mob law, and has not only spoken
against mob law. but has acted brayely
and promptly. The influence OF this man
for all that is good can be easily scar
and felt Ia every part Of the State.
In jackson the State officials very
kindly rendered the use OF the STATE
| Capitol for my meeting, but another
audience room was found larger thar
the Hall Of the Represen tatives, anc
1 the meeting was not held in the State
Capitol for this reasons At the meet
ing In jackson there we're as many
people OF buth races on the outside Of
| the house who could not get in as were
on the inside, and my reception coule
not have been more cordial in New
York or Boston than 1t was In the CAPT
tal Of the State Of Mississippi.
In jackson, as in the other cite,
that ] visited, l found colored peopl,
engaged In nearly every kind OF bust
ness. BY far the leading bakery ant
confectionery store is in the hands Of {
black man, and / noticed that ther,
were among his empoy one or two
white people. In jackson the coloret
people own their own homes more
largely than Is true OF any city l hav,
visited. The oolored man who does no
own his home ia the exception rattle
than the rule.
Taking it all in all, my eyes hav
been opened by my trip through Missis
sippi, and / have greater hope for th
future of both races than / have eve
had before.
Seven miles from Jackson there i
located Tougaloo University, an insti
tuition founded some years ago fer th
education of colored people by tn
Ameriohn Missionary Assoc iation. Whe
visited this university ! was very g la
10 Sue many evidences which seemed t
show that the white people in tina
vicinity hold that institution in higI
regard, and do not look upon it as
foreign institution, but one that ia dc
ing work for the elevation OF tn
whole South. When | spoke there
there were in my audience not fe
Southern white men and women.
The condition of the colored ministr
Is MATTER that has long intereste
the most thoughtful persons North an
South. No one can now go through tn
South and keep his eyes open withor
being convinced of the fact that th
ministry is improving, although theI
is still q great deal remaining to
done in this direction.
Booker I. Washington.
Natohez, Miss, October 10th, 1901.