The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-08-10
EDUCATIONAL LIFE OF NEGRO.
BOOKER WASHINGTON GIVES GOOD
ADVICE TO CONGRESS.

HI NONUhESSs
He Illustrates the BENEFIT of Higher
Influences Upon the Race-Must
Help Themselves by Helping
Others-Hate Only Wea<ens and
Pulls Down "A Race-He Hopes of
the Influence of the Congress viii
Result in Taking the Young Ne
gro From the Street Corners and
BnrrOOms and to See an Uplifting
and Purifying of the Character of
Their Ministers.
Atlanta, Aug. 9.-The general theme
of to-days sessions of the Negro
Young Peoples Christian and Educa-
tional Congress was the Educational
Life of the Race" Interest centered
in the address of Booker T. Washing
ton, which was delivered at the MORN
ing session of the conference. Rev
1. 8. Scott of New Orleans presided
and introduced Prof. Washington, who
was greeted with generous applause.
The subject of Prof. Washington's ad-
dress was "The Contribution of the
South to the Education of the Race.
In introducing his address, Prof.
Washington stated that it must be
borne in mind that the negro was
brought here by physical force, and
that he should have claim upon the
sympathy and helpful kindness of the
people of all parts of the country.
The negro race, he said, had ever
striven to prove itself of service, ana
not a burden, and he cited the fact
that few negro beggars are seen.
while we have been of service 10
this country" he continued, I'VE have
obtained much, both in slavery and
freedom that has fitted us for the du-
ties of useful citizenship"
Prof Washington then cited several
instances to illustrate the degree IN
which the negro responds to OUTSIDE
influences, telling of two negro town
ships in Alabama, one of which had
not been helped or reached by outside
influences. and the other of which
had been given the advantages of ed
ucation and proper training. In the
first township the masses of the peo-
pie were without land, living in one
room cabins with their crops mort
gagged and deeply in debt, while ignor-
ance and immortality were in evidence.
In the second township were 12S ne
the negroes are paying taxes on $4,000
worth of property. He further cited
facts to prove that the material or
industrial betterment of the negroes
had improved their moral and reli-
gious condition.
Il want to see an influence go out
of this meeting that shall, If possible.
take every young negro from off the
street corners and from the barrooms,
ing up and purifying of the character
of our ministers in every part OF the
country.
Good Christian Doctrine.
"No race can hate another without
that race being weakened narrowed
and degraded. Let us cultivate friend
ship and love for all races and indi-
vlduals and harbor hatred for none II
others would belittle us, try to be
great; if others would hate us, let us
try to love Them If others would be
cruel to us, let us be merciful; If 9TH
ers would break the law. let US respect
it; If others would seek to push US
down, let us seek to raise them. In the
long run it is the race that helps to
push up that succeeds.
Finally, let us never grow discour-
aged. We have made immense prog
the surest protection will be our use
fulness to the community in which we
live"
Among other speakers at the morn
ing session of the conference were Rev.
w. B. johnson of Washington, D. c.;
Rev. N. c. B. Mason of Cincinnati;
Rev. H. A. Monroe of Philadelphia,
and Rev. w. II. Weaver of Pitts
burg.
co1oro+o 49,, fo,a,,oo. ,,,,.x, o5,,.n4to,.
al subjects were held in the various
churches of Atlanta during the after
noon.
Freeman's Aid Society.
Considerable interest centered in an
address of Rev. N. C. B. Mason, cor
responding secretary of the Freed
mans Aid and Educational Society of
Cincinnati. He spoke upon THE Pur-
pose, Spirit and Results of Educational
Work of the Methodist Episcopal
Church for the Negro"
After a review of the accomplish
ments of the Freedman's Aid and Edu-
cational Society in the advancement of
education throughout the South DIR.
Mason said that he presented no the
Dry for the race problem, but that the
gospel, when given in its truest sense,
would solve all problems of race dis
tinction and annihilate all strained re-
latiCns.
Much would be gained" he said,
''if for the next century the much
abused talk of leadership could be en-
tirely ceased.
THE educated negro must be big
ger than his race-placing truth first,
and race afterward.
In conclusion he said:
IF it is the task of the white man
of the South to be forbearing. gener-
Gus and just, ours it is to challenge
his respect by a life of uprightness,
integrity and usefulness; and thus
show him that the education that edu-
M mara SDoi1c fta hlaoly NO y,