The Washington times., 1902-12-12
CLEVELAND ASKS FAIR
PLAY FOR NEGRO RACE

upon the domain of equal constitutional
rights. entitled to no regard or care for
their amclioration. and with this the
further question is esented-whether
10 is well for us, solely as a matter OF
enlightened self-interest. to close the
door OF Improvement against the nu-
merous members of our population. and
thus permit their ignorance OF civic OBJ
legations. their cr1mped opportunities tc
livh honestly by the work of their hands,
and their resentUl sense Of curtailed
advantage to menace our body polite
'It is foolish for Us to blind our eyes
90 the fact that more should be done 10
improve the condition of our negro
population, and Dc should be entirely
plain 10 all OF us that the sooner this
is undertaken the sooner will a serious
duty be discharged. and the more surely
VIII We guard ourselves against future
trouble and danger.
1T must be- admitted that this situa-
tiOu has not been freely neglected. Our
rOlOged people have been supplied with q
measure OF public school privileges.
even though In this they have been at a
disadvantage as compared with their
white neighbCrs. Private benevolence
has also done something in the same di-
rectiOn.
Much Still to Be Done.
"we will not fail to estimate at its
true value what has thus been accom-
plished. though the leaven is small in
comparison with the lump TO be leav-
cncd. nor viii we fail to appreciate the
Importance Of continued and increasing
effort in extending TO this class Of our
citizens opportunities for ordinary
school education.
we cannot forget, however, that we
have TO deal with those whose def
ciencics do not result entirely from their
lack Of cducation. as that term is COM
mouly used. The circumstances Of thc
case are peculiar and exceptional. Gen
eratiOns Of denendence and of enforced
mOnOtonOus daily toll without wages or
other incentive 20 willing labor, and
without ;hc chance Of instructive OF con-
structive work, tainted. in days past. the
very blood of their ancestors. and from
them the present generation has in
herited. not only unftucss for such di-
veTsided work as best suits the needs Of
sClf-respectln American citizenship. but
also a listless disiuclinatiOn to attempt
such work.
"As a result OF these conditions we
find there IS q lameutable Limitation Of
the kind Of work open TO our cOlored
population. while we quite frequently
are reminded Of the unwelcOme and
homely fact that satin finds some mis-
chief stiH for idle hands TO do"
Must Be Offered Reward.
"UnquestionabIy all this should be
corrected But how? No one who has
given the subject deliberate thought can
doubt that. If we are 10 be just and fair
toward our colored fellow citizens. and
if they are to be more completely made
self-respectin useful. and safe mem
bers Of our body polite. they must be
taught TO do something more than 20
hew wood and draw water. The way
must be opened for them TO engage in
something better than menial service;
and their interests must be aroused 10
rewards Of intelligent occupation and
careful thrift
Il believe that the exigency can only
be adequately met through the instru-
mentality of well-eQuipped manual
training and industrial schools, conduct
cd either independently or in connection
with ordinary educational Institutions.
I place so much reliance on this agency
for the solution Of the problem OF
negro citizenship that 7 am inclined to
estimate ii above all others I'm useful
ness. Z am convinced that good citizen
ship. an orderly. c0ntented life. and
proper conception Of civic virtue and
obligations is almost certain 10 grow out
OF a fair chance 90 earn an honest. hope
ful livelihood. a just apportioument Of
the opportunities 90 get on in the world
and a satisfied sense Of secure protection
and consideratc treatment"
Dr.. Washington's Address.
Chairman CIeveland's Introduction OF
Booker T. Washington. "one OF Ameri-
cas- best citizens" was cast IN the most
hattering terms. DR.. Washington spoke
with great yigOr. and mis- exposition Of
the handicap under which the ooIored
race labors in all the occupations Of life
and work showed fully the advantages
given 10 negroes by schools such as the
Berean. lie emphasized the fact thaP
the negro has so little opportunity to
use any manual skill he may acquire on
account Of color discrimination
You must give him chance to work
after he has learned how best 10 do
it," demanded the speaker. who said,
in. part:
Few occurrences could so strongly
emphasize the interest felt I'm the ele-
yation Of my race as the fact that am
eX-PTCsidcut or the United States is
willing to leave his home and duties for
the purpose OF presiding at a meeting
called TO discuss matters bearing upon
our interests The attention OF the
citizens Of Philadelphia has been called
may times 90 the needs and condition
OF the negroes in other parts Of the
country, but &c may interest you TO have
the fact brought 20 your attention that
81 we except three cities PHILADELPHIA
has the largest negro population OF any
1s.-l szS