The colored American., 1902-02-22

In my opinion, If the grand man whose
memory we are here to honor and per-
petuate was in the land Of the living
he would not hesitate to speak out IN
trumpet tones on this Important anu
far-reaching question, and by the mag
ic of his immortal name conjure you
to follow the splendid example he has
left u.s."
Ex-Representative George H. White.
of North Carolina, was introduced to
speak of Douglass as a leader. He
paid an eloquent tribute to the quail
ties that had predominated in the
character of the great man, and re-
ferred to the last years of his life and
to the influence he exerted up to the
time of his death on his fellows. He
spoke forcibly Of the necessity for
leaders and followers reaching unit
ed understanding and basis for coop
Grafton Robert Pelham, jr., the cor
responding secretary of the club, arose
at this point of the proceedings and
read a number of letters OF regret at
not being able to be present from dis
tinguished persons throughout the
country. The most important letter
read was that from Booker t. Wash
ington. After expressing regret at be-
ing unable to be present, Mr.. Wash
ington said:
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON'S LET
TER.
'"The idea of setting aside day by
your organization to be known as
| Douglass Day is very wise one, and
wish that the custom might be adopted
by our people in all parts of the
country A close study of his life and
| teachings would prove source or help
and inspiration. Only recently l have
been reviewing his life, for the pur-
| pose of informing myself more accur-
| ateIy upon his teachings in certain res
| poets, and I am surprised now, as
| have been in the past, to see how clear
| ly he saw into the needs of our peo-
pie. He early perceived the value OF
| practical education, as indicated by
| letter to Harriet Beecher Stowe more
| than fifty years ago. his were the
| words of a prophet and statesman.
Mr. Douglass was both, and more.
"More and more, during recent
L years, deplore the fact that so many
of our educated men and women fail
to give the race the benefit of their
education by following some first-hand.
productive, primary, wealth-producing
occupation, such as come from the
soil, the mine, the tree or even the air
and the water, instead of yielding to
the temptation in too many cases OF
trying to live by their wits, or from
productions that other brains and
other hands have brought forth. The
Young college man who goes into a
field and makes for himself position
and accumulates wealth by raising and
| selling vegetables is in much more
| secure and enviable position, for in
stance. than one who depends upon the
exigencies of political office for his
subsistence.
THE REAL TEST OF CAPACITY.
81 have little faith, and I am sure
you have not either, in the ability OF
any man to take part successfully IN
controlling the affairs of the nation
who cannot run successfully the affairs
of his own family and make success
of some private business.
"In the long run, when we reach the
last analysis of any individual or race
no President, Individual, or political
party can long keep an individual in a
position when he has been placed there
merely by artificial or temporary con-
ditions-in the last analysis every ln;z
1ividual and race secures and retains
| that to which its productive powers
md business environment entitle it
N our case, the Negro will secure and
hold whatever position he actually
makes for himself, not the position
/ made by others for him. When
| through natural and gradual processes
| If development. through the accumu-
/ 1ation of wealth. commercial power,
| education, high character, we gain