Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-18
.N0TABLEo ADDRESSES
Prof. Kelley Mille e.. Treats Upon
Negrsss Education.
ORIGINAL VIEWS lls v 4 oN1 THE SUBJECT
The Racial Problem Discussed by
George R Stetson.

s.,1
MOSQUITOES CARRY FEVER
Washington's unrivaled qualifications and
attractions as city for holding conven-y
lions have again received substantial re-
cognition. The American Social Science
Association, which has been holding its
annual convention here the present week,
was so impressed with the attributes men,
toned thatsft has decided to come again In
1902 for the yearly conference This was
announced at last night session by Acting
President Kfngsbarys and was greeted with
substantial marks of qualification
There was not vacant seat in the large
lecture, hall of the Columbian University
this morning when the proceedings began
Representative men and women of both.
races who are Interested in the vital. aues-s
ton generically known as the race prob
lem, and they were well repaid for their
attendance. Seldom, IL ever, have such
notable contributions been made to the i'm
portant subject, and the address of Prof
Kelly Miller Of Howard University upon
THE Education Of the Negro was remark
able for its keen and incisive points and
clear logic. .
The education of the negro was not, Of.
itself. he said, thing apart, but an in.
tegral factor of the general pedagogical
equation.
Race psychology had not yet been for
dictated just wherein the two races differ in
any evident mental feature.
In proposing an educational scheme for
the negro it should be borne In mind the
educational constants which admit of no
chronological variation. Knowledge and
virtue have no ethnic quality. The Ten
Commandments the Sermon on the Mount
and the multiplication table allow no lati-
tude. for racial idiosyncrasies. The common
trunk of the tree Of knowledge may send
forth branches in many directions to meet
local. economic and temporary needs.
Many educators would establish for the
negro a racial tree Of knowledge. with it's
own peculiar roots, limbs, foliage, flower
and fruit
A wise educational scheme for any class
can be prescribed only in the light of its
comprehe Sive status.
The needs OF the race sweep the entire
circle of human interests It can thus be
seen what a complex and difficult task one
enters upon when he undertakes to pre-
scribe an educational regime for such q
people. 1t Is plainly evident that no sin:
gle program is ADEQUATE to such wide
| circle Of needs.
1.-THE dual function Of education" he con-
tinued, was to enable the recipient to
make q living for himself, in order that he
may make something oft of himself. q.
+ Function of the Negroes Education.
Life is more than azfieat. No system of
education worthy of the name can be based
upon the temporary eKRedients Of a liveli-
hood. While it must take cogniZance Of
such stern necessity, yet 1t should leap
swiftly beyond them to the development,
of the enduring QUALITIES Of mind and
soul. =, =
1.-The negro's edpcation. therefore. has
larger function. fhan that of the white
youth. who has. only to qualify for a pre-
pared place. The .ffuti1e discussion as to-
of greater fmportstifce % thesnegro is sug'
gestive of. a, subject Of great renown in
rural. debating secieuss; (which is OF,
bs %s Il Ra e. ee e.
the base or the altitude is7the more essen-s
tial element Ola trfa,agless -.
1.-THE negro needs Industrial training be-
cause nine-tenths of the race must make
ton for all time which we have the data
to calculate.
''The crude. shift1ess. %asteful. slovenly
methods Of work which prevailed under
the slave regime will not answer modern
Industrial demands. Unless the negro learns
to work with intelligence. science and sys-
TEN. he will be relegated to the crude, bone
breaking, dehumaniZing forms of labor by
the fierce rivalry of the age; and his last
Industrial state will be worse than the first.
p, "In the second place. the school is the
only avenue through winch negro can
form an acquaintance with the higher
methods of the industrial arts. g
Trades unionism. with its narrow mind
ed policy acts upon the principle of in
duStrfal restraint. It's aVowed creed is
that competition is the soul of trade. but
the death of the trades. 1t seizes upon the
prevailing prejudice as show of justifica-
ton for excluding the negro, his color be-
ing utilized as a badge Of Identification.
The industrial school. therefore. is the only
means by which the race can form connec-
ton with the industrial current.
The characteristics of the Negro.
'The negro belongs to a backward race
and has had little experience in the prac-
teal handling of things. The white man
has been in control Of the worlds affairs
for many generations and has acquired
practical coefcient of skill which has be-
come a part Of the heritage Of the race.
The negro, on the other hand, has never
interpreted thought in terms of things He
is therefore deficient in practical judgment
and executive force. There is no close CO..
ordination of faculties. Sentiment over
rides sense; the energy of the will is too
feeble to put in execution the conceptions
of the intellect. The deficiency can be
made good only by manual training which
focuses the hand, the eye, the intellect. the
sensibilities and the will upon the accom-
essential not merely for it's industrial
value. but also as a means of race develop
ment.
ut is not SO much technical handicraft,
however, but a deeper incentive and broad
er prospective that the negro needs In or
der to stimulate his lethargic energies
The ignorant peasant, without rational
conception of the object and end OF labor.
Is urged to eXertion only by the principle
of physical necessities or the sterner COM
pulsion Of force. The enlightened freeman,
on the other hand, delights to toll because
his larger range of vision can see 1t trans
mitted into Independence, wealth. honor
and power. Training in the three RS with
a smattering of handicraft. even with Sun
day school maxims thrown in, will not
qualify the recipient TO enlighten the ig-
norant, restrain the vicious. care for the
sick and afflicted pr administer. spiritual
soaace to the weary soM,s
Pertinenf Questions.
Referring to ths hch41tge recently made
that the money spent an. the higher educa-
ton Of the negro, has been wasted, Prof.