The Washington times., 1902-08-03
ACELEADERS TO TAKE PART
Booker T. Washington, of Tuskegee,
Ala, Scheduled to Deliver a Lecture
Many Washingtonians Will Make
Trip to Southern City.

and the progress of the work;
During the generation Of freedom for
the American negro there have been as
semblies. conventions, associations, con
|, ferences, conelaves and councils, but n,i
until this year, A. D. 1902, has there
been an attempt so ~'Tantic in its pro-
portions as to rise to the dignity OF a
congress.
''In a few days all the representative
young negroes will be looking toward
Atlanta. All roads lead to that central
city of the South until after August 6,
when the Negro Young Peoples Chris
tian and Educational Congress will be
formally opened.
A Large Gathering.
This is to be the largest. the most
representative, the most far-reaching
in results of any purely negro assembly
that has ever met or the face of the
American continent Also, in capacity
training, property and character, IT is
doubtful if the world has seen its like.
THE idea of such, convention origi-
mated in the fertile brain of l. Garland
Penn-though his name is historic, he
is not a Quaker, but a Methodist. The
first meeting was held in this city many
months ago.
'1n Atlanta, from August 6 to IL, in
elusive, the student of the race prob
lem will see some wonderfully interest
ing sights. He may miss the tall hat
and long duster, whalebone umbrella
and carpet-bag satchel OF the recon-
stTuction days: the grotesque in negro
characteristics will have vanished by
reason of the splendid results of the
schools in giving the young negroes
the cue to refinement; but there will be
much to interest anyone in any way in
terested in the race problem.
'It is estimated that 10000 negroes
will attend the meeting. There will be
preachers and teachers in great num-
ber, and the lay element in matters of
church and school will be equally nu-
merous.
Has Many Objects.
1.-THE Congress Bulletin expresses
the hope that twenty-one different OBJ
ects may be ccomplished-among them
will name: The promotion of denomi-
national fraternity. This is the first
time that all denominations of coIored
meeting; to promote friendly relations
with the white race; to consider the
question of crime among negroes; TO
urge aggressive Christian work among
negro young people; TO emphasize by
number and character the bright side
of the race problem; TO reach the un-
reached negroes, etc. These objects are
TO be carried out by addresses and con-
nf
pies at the close OF the meeting.
More than 200 prominent colored
people are to take part in the program.
c'he bishops and many clergymen are to
emphasize religion; educators, including
Booker T. Washington, are TO explain
the principles OF education; scholars
like W. E. B. Dubois are to bring in
important studies in sociology, and
business men and other useful members
OF the race are to give the Congress
the choicest fruit of their experience.
''.rhe music is to be a great feature
o, the congress, A chorus of ] 600 voices
promises 20 rival the best convention
singing, anG to surpass any in the rendi-
tion of the best plantation melodies.
There will also be one grand concert OF
200 picked voices, and iadies' or
chestra of forty pieces.
Number of Side. Trips.
''1r order to combine pleasure with
profit there are to be two excursions
side trips-one to Tuskegee and one to
Nashville. Mr.. Washington generously
offers those who will go and behold
Tuskegee-the magic creation o. the
genius of an cx-slaTe-free entertain
ment, and. incidentally. inspiration
enough TO run them till Christmas, and
maybe for all their lives. Nashville, the
seat of Fisk. and Walden, and Roger
Williams Universities. the rival of At
lanta as the negro Athens of the United
States. offers all that Tuskegee offers,
save the one word, free
But back TO the real purpose of the
congress. II calls for the best blood of
the race. Tha best there is in the
scholarship, IN the religion, in the arts,
in the business. and IL the social de-
yelopment OF the negro race will be
represented in the personnel of this con-
gress. The most delicate questions will
be discussed with the utmost fraukness.
There is TO be no palliation of evils, no
exaggeratiOn of virtues.
Ever phase of the home, the church.
the school, and believe, also the street.
the shop. and the field, is to be discussed
not superfcially, but earnestly and deep
ly. Pedantry, bombast. verbosity and
clouuence for eloquence's sake are TO be
discouraged.
THE race wants to get together and
speak soberly according to Anglo-Saxon
STANDARDIZED there is to be no imita
tlon. The people Of the congress are
negroes but negroes whose eyes have
been opened By the gospel OF Christ, the
learning OF the schools and the observa-
tion of men and affairs. This congress
purposes 10 be the voice OF the race, that
shall be heard around the world
The teachers Of the race are invited
there to aid in the discussion of the
problems before the congress. and prob
ably TO organize a teachers association.
II is a happy omen that the representa-
tiyes of both the school and the church
are joining hands to better the condition
of negro people in the United States
In this good work Washington will be
represented by nearly 100 delegates.
The Washingtoniars en- the program
a-c 3s follows: Rev. W. j. Howard y
G CIeaSes. w. Bishop Jeinsen, Misses
Matte R Bower, Sarah Jenifer. Mrs.
Mary Church Terrell. Julia Mason Lay