Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-20
At TUSKEGEE
WASHINGTON
SPEAKS
NEGRO NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL
INSTITUTE CELEBRATED ITS
sART, YESTERDAY.


FUSKEGEE. Ala. February is.-rhe
llth session OF the. Tuskegee negro con-
ference assembled at Tuskegee Normal
and Industrial institute today. Booker T.
washington viii preside at all the meet
ings-
At the opening session Principal Wash
ington said:
THOSE OF you who have read the pa
pers within the last few months well know
that a movement Is gradually maturing
under the leadership Of the Southern Ed
ucarional society, which has IL mind the
broadening. deepening and extension OF
education 70 all classes Of people through
out the south in a way that has never
been rrue before. IT is most encouraging
TO note that the time has come when
northern people and southern people can
cooperate In the uplifting Of all classes
who need assistance. mutual forbearance.
srd correct understanding OF the problems
have been the greatest needs during the
last S years. The time has gone when the
mere passing of words I'm censure between
one section OF the country and the other
win accomplish any good results Tor eth
er race. The time Is also passed when any
good result can be brought 10 bear BY the
mere condemnation Of one race BY the
other.
"As an indication Of the progress the
race Is making IN some OF the more essen
tfal things OF life. IL is interesting TO note
that AZ this the nth annual session Of the
Tuskegee Negro conference we viii be
able 70 have the discussion almost wholly
on the part of those who have actually
bought and paid for their homes and have
no mortgage or any membranes resting
NHpon them Ten years ago this would have
been an impossible thing As far as there
is time for IL, we are going TO have those
who have paid for their homes. tell in
simple. Straightforward manner the strug
gle that they have gone through TO secure
these homes IN order that the lessons
may serve 10 encourage those who are yet
without property Of their own
1T is with a race as with an Individual.
the place TO begin 10 make Improvement is
right where IL is. Too many Of US expect
20 buy homes. 70 cease mortgaging crops.
TO build school houses and prolong the
school term. and have a better moral and
religious atmosphere in our communities
want 70 begin 10 do these things right
now. Or we expect 20 wait until we move
into some other state. or perhaps 90
nbrth. or to Africa. but nave noted that
the man who cannot buy a home and save
money and educate his children in the
south seldom does II anywhere. II we can
not improve our condition here I do not
believe that there are many spots on the
earth where we can do so.
The prosperity and usefulness OF any
race in large measure depends upon the
ownership and proper cultivation OF the
SOIL especially Is this true in the earlier
stages OF the progress OF the race. There
IS an opportunity open fl the south for
every black man 10 purchase a farm and
an independent living upon that farm.
Agrfculture VIII give the race the founda-
-ticn -lucu which to build and prepaEe- IL
sef FOR more important things
Throughout the south the youth OF our
efssrrrH b. ra-~frrfFszT fus
we have the occupations that relate TO
agriculture mechanics and all domestic
employments practically IN our hands
We viii hold onto these occupations just
IN proportion as we as a race learn 70 put
brains. skill and dignity into them. The
minute we fail TO keep pace with the
progress OF the world in regard 10 these
occupations. that minute we viii begin
10 lose. our hold upon these employments
and others from a distance will come in
and take our places. Our youth should be
taught that there IS no disgrace in any
form OF manual labor. but that there is
disgrace in all forms OF indieness and in
failure 70 perform in the best manner
every task. no matter how seemingly
unimportant Il IS
There IS something In human nature
that always makes one man respect an
other who possesses property. intelligence
and strong Christian character There Is
nothing In politics OF IN any otner avenue
OF life that can begin to compare In i'm
poflance Just now 20 the negrO's securing
a home and becoming taxpayer and ed
ucating his children into all the important
occupations that are about his doors. I
would ten times over rather see a young
man OK any race graduate from college
ana 60 ont and start a dairy farm and
truck garden or a poultry yard, and there
bye grow independent and wealthy than
~ -
the exigencies OF political Office, for in
stance for his future.
The most lasting and potent perfection
that the negro can have IN any part OF
the country Is for him 10 become the most
useful man In his community"