Evening star., 1901-10-22
WEwoF NAsHvILLE LAWYER
COLORED BUSINESS MAN DISCUSSES
BOOKER WASHINGTON.
Capt. j. C. Napier at the White House
Ask. frhat Negro Re
Let Alone

Capt. ]. c. Napier a prominent colored
lawyer and real estate dealer in Nashville,
Tenn, had a talk with President Roosevelt
yesterday regarding conditions in the south.
To Star reporter Capt. Napier said:
1.-The colored people of the country de-
sire and need more than anything else to be
let alone. There are those whose sole busf-
ness seems to be TO parade his every move
ment before the country to his detriment.
If he stands still they say he is indolent
and not progressive; If he moves forward
they criticise his aggressiveness; If back
ward they condemn nlm for not keeping
pace with our American civilization. He is
kept eternally before the eye and in the
mind of the public. Let him alone as other
classes are let alone and he will work out
his own destiny without injury or affront
to any one.
Content With Present Relations.
cit may be stated most positively and
c nfidently that he has no wish or inclina-
tion to In any manner interfere with
disturb the social relations Of the whites.
There is not a self-respecting colored man
or any other sort of colored man in ali the
land who would unbdden or unwelcome
thrust himself into the presence of any
company. His own social ties and rela-
tions are pleasant and highly satisfactory
to him and what he most desires is that
refrains from disturbing theirs. This is not
better understood anywhere than among all
classes and colors of people in the south,
and along this line all are agreed.
But there is distinction between social
rights and public, political and civil rights
The former are matters of choice between
individuals and classes and regulate them
selves entirely. The latter are prescribed
by the Constitution and laws enacted in
accord Herewith. The colored people are
entirely willing to abide by these laws and
viii! always do SO, without murmur or COM
plant, when they are justly and impartial
ly administered. They do not wish to DOM
mate, but they do claim that they are enti-
tied to the free enjoyment of all which
their citizenship and the laws purport to
guarantee them. Though for a time he
may yield and be silent for peace's sake. in
the end his manhood will not permit him
to be content with less.
1.-The execution of the laws in the south
should be in the hands of courageous men,
men with force of character enough to
command the respectful consideration of
their fellow citizens and to mold public
sentiment in favor of law and order. For
public position among we need men who
thoroughly imbued with a sense of JUS
tice toward all mankind, men who under
stand the law, men who have a regard for
the soemnity and responsibility of their
oathS, not caterers to but mOlderS of pub
lie sentiment The task of finding men of
this character in Tennessee and other parts
of the south will prove no more difficult
than in Alabama.
Era of Good Feeling.
1.-The white and colored people of the
south have already entered upon an era Of
good feeling and friendly relationships and
the advancement of this character of men,
whether found in the republican or demo-
cratic party of the south, would prove high
ly satisfactory. and for the best welfare of
all concerned. The colored people of the
south. though they have not always felt
as now, realize that their best interest lies
in the cultivation Of friendly feeling be-
tween themselves and their white neighbors
and they propose henceforth to give their
hearty support to any effort of President
Roosevelt to bring about this result When
ever the sympathy and support of the best
classes of southern white men can be en-
listed in securing the colored man his civil
and political rights under the law, there
will be no more trouble about the matter
He will get them and all will be peace and
tranquility. eC aa.-e-
Yes, the Booker T. Washington Idea of
industrialism is taking strong hold in the
minds of both the colored and white people
all over the south. Everywhere he is look
ed upon the great apostle of Industrial
ism and honored for the stand he has taken
In Inspiring the colored people with prop
er appreciation of the Importance of work.
ing out their destiny along lines of indus
trial and material advancement. The school
at Tuskegee is not only doing a great work
within itself for the colored people of Ala
bama, but It's influence is spreading all over
the south, and almost every hand the
inspiration of a new industrial period is
taking hold of the people and they are
moving forward with new hope Not only is
Mr.. Washington's idea of industrial educa-
tion taking strong hold on the people, but
his idea of the relationship of the two
races is being heartily indorsed and is
doing a great deal toward bringing about
an era Of confidence and mutual good feel
ing between the white and colored people
of the south"