Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-12-12
EX-PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S
ADDRESS.

ADDRESS.
Former President Cleveland presided
last night at public meeting in aid of
the Bureau Manual Training School in
Philadelphia, an institution which aims
TO give members Of the negro race the
benefits of an industrial education. The
meeting was attended by prominent
iurists, educators, and business men.
Mr.. Cleveland was the principal speaker,
and Booker T. Washington, president OF
the Tuskegee Institute, also made an adj
dress.
Mr.. Cleveland's address was in part as
follows:
eve are called together in further
ance of purposes which are not only OF
the utmost benefcence, but which, for
every reason, are deserving of serious
and prompt consideration. 1t has often
occurred to me that ever since we have
become a nation the Americans have al
most constantly been confronted with
large problems, more or less perplexing
and directly affecting the political, in
dustriaI, and social phases of our ma
tional welfare. We seem to have con-
tented notion that, whatever dangers
press upon us, and whatever
obstacles are to be surmounted,
we are able because we seem to
be able, and that because we have thus
far escaped threatening perils, happy
go-lucky reliance on continued good for
tune will avail us to the end of the chap
ter. am impressed with the impor-
tance of this occasion. 1t is absolutely
certain that everywhere in this broad
land good people shall be keenly alive
to their duties and interest as related to
the eolored men, women, youth, and
children. who constitute a factor, large
or small, in thepopulation of every COM
munity. 1t is foolish for us TO blind our
eyes to the fact that more should be done
to improve the condition of our negro
population; and it should be entirely
plain to all of us that the sooner this is
undertaken the sooner will serious duty
be discharged and the more surely will
we guard ourselves against future trouble
and danger. Our colored people have
been supplied with a measure of public
school privileges, even though in this
they have been at a disadvantage as
compared with their white neighbors.
We will not fail to estimate at its true
value what has thus been accomplished;
nor will we fail to appreciate the impor-
lance of continued and increasing effort
in extending to this class of our citizens
opportunities for ordinary school educa-
ton. No one who has given the sub
iect deliberate thought can doubt that
if we are to be just and fair toward our
colored fellow-citizens, and if they are
to be more completely made self-respect-
ing. useful and safe members of our
body polite, they must be taught to do
something more than to hew wood and
draw water. The way must be opened
for them to engage in something better
than menial service, and their interest
must be aroused to rewards of intelligent
occupation and careful thrift. believe
that the exigency can only be adequately
met through the instrumentality OF we'll
equipped manual training and industrial
schools. conducted either independently
~ in connection with ordinary
educational institutions. / am con-
yinced that good citizenship, an
orderly. contented life, and prop
er conception of civic virtue and
obligations are almost certain tc
grow out of fair chance to earn an
honest, hopeful livelihood and satisfied
sense of protection and considerate treat
ment. The objects of our assemblag'
are to learn the details of the work done
bv a manual training and industria
school located in the city of Philadelphia
and TO extend to it our aid and encour
apement. Though still young, the Berear
Manual Training and Industrial Schoo
has abundantly justified its existence
and demonstrated its power for good
II has passed so far beyond an experi
mental stage that its usefulness is SER
ously cramped by lack of means. an'
the want of necessary accommodations
Surely. if the liberal citizens of Phlla
delphia are once satisfied that their dut.
to their less fortunate colored neighbon
demands the increased success OF this IN
stitution. it should not be difficult to in
duce them to extend toit helping hand
We cannot anticipate that its neglect vii
be chargeable against the people of 'h
philanthropic and patriotic city,"
ANDREW CARNEGIE ARRIVES
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