The Washington times., 1902-12-12
EX-President Speaks for Bet
ter Manual Training Facili-
ties, and Says Americas
Duty Is Plain.
Justice Demands That
Black People, Liberated by
Lincoln, Be Given Chance
to Earn Their Living,

PHILADELPHIA. Dec. IA meeting.
so largely attended that Witherspoon
Hall could not hold an who wished 70
hear the many prominent speakers. was
held last evening in the interest of the
Bercan Manual Training and Industrial
school for Young Coiored Men ami
Women
EE-Prcsidcut Grover Cleveland pre-
sided and also made an address. ir
which De urged the claims or tine insti-
tuition for popular support. In This ef-
fort hc was ably supported by Booker
T. Washington, the president OF Tuske-
gee Institute. and other speakers. in
cIud'ng Alexander X. Mcclure. Robert
@. ogden. and Rev. Matthew Anderson.
the head of the Berean School which
performs its good work for the colored
race at 1895 South College Avenue.
Mr. Clevelaad's Speech.
The Introduction Of ex-Prcsideut
Cleveland as the presiding officer OF the
meeting by Isaac r. CIothier and his
philosophical discussion of the negro
problem called forth enthusiastic ap-
plause from the large and representative
audience. The speaker touched The key
note of his address when he said that the
negroes. Of whom there are 10000 in
Philadelphia, must le taught something
more than TO be "hewers OF wood and
drawers OF water" This problem was
solved by the manual training school in
addition 90 he training OF the mind. Mr..
Cleveland said,
"We are called together i'm furtherauce
OF purpose which are not only Of the
utmost beuelcence, but which. for every
reason, arc deserving Of serious and
prompt consideration. IL has often Oc-
Cured 10 me that ever since we have
become q nation the American people
have almost constantly been confronted
with large problems. more or less per
picking. and directly affecting the po-
Iitical Industrial and social phases VI
our national welfare. This experience.
in so far as 10 has accustomed as 90 diff
hculues, has made as q strong and siren
nous people.
that our success ga overcoming these
difficulties has enRraftcd upon the Amer
icau character such confidence in our
ability 90 oNtricate ourselves from en-
harrassmcuts as amounts 90 actual ma
tional vanity. We seem to have a con-
tented notion that. whatever dangers
press upon as. and whatever obstacles
are 20 be- suTmountcd. we are able be-
cause we seem 90 be able. and that.
because we have thus far escaped threat
cuiug pcTils. a happy -VO-lucky reliance
on continued good fortune viii avail ms
10 the end Of the chapter.
American Vanity.
"I plead guilty as the chief among sin
ners I'm the vanity Of my Americaushio.
have a suspicion. however. that our
serene sclf-conhdence has sometimes
not only made US very brave and daring.
but has stood in the way Of an early and
prUvldcnt treatment OF national PROB
Ioms. which. having been allowed 20
grow and harden. have invited increased
pain and difficulty I'm thcir rcctfcation.
I am. therefore. impressed with the inn
portancc OF this occasion. because it
has To- DO with certain conditions which
I believe. in their present stage. should
Dec dealt with speedily ana effectively.
eft is absolutely certain that every
where iu this br'dd land good people
should be keenly alive 20 their duty and
interest as related 20 the colored mem
women. youth and Chil1reu, who cousti-
tute a factor. large or small, I'm the
population of every community. They
have been for more than thirty years en-
titled 90 al the rights. privileges and
immunitics of citizens OF the United
States. They were drawn into our citi-
zenship from a condition OF ignorance
and mental backwardncss. without tho
least preparation for the duties and re-
sponsibuitiCs of theii new relationship
90 our country's wealth. and they mum
Der more jhan eight millions. scattered
throughout every State and Territory.
with the gift OF freedom and citizen
ship they lost the humble dependence
and the care and resfraiut OF scryitudr.
and were suddenly called upon to labor
and strive on their os,n account for their
daily bread. TO obey laws adjusted 10
those accustomed TO the most advanced
civilization, and by she use OF a free
suffrage. TO intellgculy and honestly
discharge the most delicate and impCr-
,aut duty OF citizenship.
These considerations suggest the
question whether III is i'm accordance
with just and kind Christian sentiment