The colored American., 1902-09-06

DR.. >. A. ElDeTI~
The first paper of the session was
Negro Business Men or Chlcago, py
w F Taylor, in the course OF which
the rise of such business men As u
n Smiley. Theodore w. Jones'
n wheeler and Rankin and Ware
was described. He owns a large
drug store himself, and opened his
doors with but one cent in his pocket
demanding upon a sale to earn the
price of a breakfast.
MONDAY EVENINGS SESSION.
The principal event of the evening
was the annual address OF
president Washington. He was IN
eYcellent voice, and the lncreas-
cd volume and earnest eloquence
of his tones were noticed by
all Always enthusiastic, putting
his whole strength into an ar
oument. Richmond saw washington
at his very best. His ADDRESS was
short. but every word counteu anu
was delivered with cannon-balI ol-
rectness. From the outset OIL INC
convention, he set an example IN prey
inv and conservative statement, WHICH
added to the interest of the occaslon'
DR.. Washington described the carry
organization of the Business LeaSu9
as an example of the value OF snlaiI
beginnings, and illustrated further Ihe
fact that large results come from mum.
ble starts by telling the history ol
how Tuskegee was opened III neN
house which he cleaned out, WIN Inc
assistance of an old colored man, VINO
doI,hted the safety of cleaning out
a hen house-in the daytime. he
character
asset upon the importance of the bank
account and rating in ones own COM
munitv. He believed in capable lead
ership, and disapproved of the class
of leaders who live and carry all their
belongings in a "grip-sack. Res
nonsible men cannot move from place
TO nIace easily, for they have too many
interests at stake in their commun-
itv to leave without sober reflection.
'I am glad to say Mr.. Washlng-
ton went on. that this League is
composed of workers, not mere talk
ers. Those who are taking part In
these programs have been asked 10
do so because they have actually sue
| ceeded in demonstrating their ability
/ to succeed in some line OF industry
We have no one on the program VINO
! is to advise others to do that Whlch
| he himself has not done. Every man
connected with this organization, no
| matter what his business may be,
should bear in mind that not only
| has he the responsibility of developing
| his own business, but that he owes
duty to the community in which he
| lives One of these responsibilities
! is to use his influence to take off OF
the street corners and from the bar
rooms and dens of sin and misery
every colored man and boy found in
! idleness. One of the curses of the
race. and one to which we cannot shut
our eyes in honesty, is the large num-
/ Der of colored men who are inclined to
! flock to the cities and yield to the
wits, without hard, productive indus
try. Let us rid the race Of this
class as rapidly as possible. Y
hope that each one Of you have
come here determined to get some
thing of encouragement, something of
! information, and enthusiasm which
! you can take back home with you
and put into practical use for the
benefit of the community in which you
| live. Let us never grow despondent,
doubtful or discouraged. There is
something in human nature every
where which recognizes merit in the
form of successful industry. business
intelligence and high Christian char
acter. Let us bear in mind that in
the long run and in the last analysis,
our influence and power for good will
be measured by what our neighbors.
black and white, have to say about u.s.