The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-11-28
FUTURE HOPE
FOR THE NEGRO
1t Does Not Lie in the Direction
of Office.
EDUCATION AND ECONOMY
THE PATH POINTED OUT By
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON.

n BIRMINGHAM, Ala, Nov. 27.-The
n following letter has been received
by the Age-Heraid from Booker
T. Washington:
ITO the Editor OF the Ags-Herald: I
notice that several newspapers have
recently connected my name with po-
liticel matters in such a manner as to
show that my position is not under
stood. 1 desire, therefore, TO make the
following statement:
My life work is the promotion OF the
education of my race. 1t is well known
that 1 have always advised my people
that il is of supreme Importance at this
period of their development that they
SHOULD concentrate their thought and
energy on the securing of homes, the
cultivation of habits of thrift, economy,
skill, intelligence. high moral charac-
ter and the gaining Of the respect and
confidence of their neighbOrs, white and
black, both in the south and north.
From such teaching and counsel no IN
huence can ever divert me.
What conferences I have had with
the president or with any public Off
cial have grown out Of my position, not
as a politician, but as an educator II
should be borne in mind that there are
about 1000, 900 of negroes in the United
States, who are liable under the law
for taxes and military service, and who
are punishable for infraction Of the
law. These people at present have no
member of their race in the national
laW-making body. and it is right that
those charged with making and execut-
ing the laws of the land should at
times seek information directly from
the members Of the negro race, when
their interests and relations with tha
whites among whom they live are con-
cerned.
Is Not a Politician.
Under no circumstances could I
seek to promote political candidates.
or volunteer information regarding men
or measures nor have done so In the
past; but because of the Importance
have always sought TO place upon edu-
cation and industry among my people
as the basis for friendly relations be
tween the races there may be occasions
in the future, as there have been IN the
past, when, if am so requested l can
give information about men and meas
ures which would tend to promote such
friendly relations between the races
Such information it is my duty to give
when it is asked for
AT every proper opportunity 1 say
to the youth of our people that they
will make mistake If they seek 70 sue
coed in life by mere political activity
or the nope OF nOl0lnS pO4lllCdl Once
Now and then, however, public ques-
tions affecting our interests arise yhick
are so fundamental and far-reaching
that they transcend the domain of pol
itics. When such questions present
themselves, in justice TO my race, L
make my position known and stand for
what I see to be the right
I'VE cannot elevate ard make useful
a race Of people until there is held out
to them the hope of reward for right
living. Every revised constitution
throughout the southern states has put
a premium upon intelligence, ownership
Of property, thrift and character.
LAS an educator and not as A poll
tician, strive in every honorable and
rational way to encourage the wise and
enduring progress Of my people; for If
/ all inspiration and hope Of reward is TO
| be denied them. they will be deprived
/ of one of the greatest incentives to in
/ telIigence, industry and righteousness
/ On the other hand, if they are encOur-
/ aged in sensible and conservative d.
/ rections they viii grow year by year
/ into cOntentedness and usefulness
! BOOKER T. WASHINGTON-'