The new age. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1902-190?, 1902-06-06
HELENA NOTES
Especial to the New Age.)

Helena, Mont, June 6.-The most
important event of the week was the
graduation exercises of the High
school at the Auditorium June 4. Mr.
William L. Gordon and Miss Jessie
Woodcock were the only colored grad.
yates. Mr.. Gordon delivered an ora.
ton on Booker T. Washington. which
received hearty applause. He told of
the founding in Alabama twenty years
ago of the school for the education of
the colored people by Booker T. Wash.
ington. At the same time he gave a
brief sketch of the life of that cele-
brated colored man.
He was born in 1858 in Virginia and
during the early part of his life had a
hard time earning a living. One day
he heard two miners talking of the
Hampton Institute and the good which
il was doing. Mr.. Washington re-
solved to go there, and after varying
fortunes reach ed Richmond a ragged
boy with less than SO cents in his
pocket. He at once sought admission
10 the school, through which he
worked his way, graduating in 1875.
"Mr. Washington's one aim and the
purpose of the institution which he
has established at Tuskegee is to
teach the young negro the worth and
Importance of knowing some trade
rather than the mere knowledge Of
books" said Mr.. Gordon. "He en-
phasizes above all else the necessity
and dignity of labor and finds in it the
only correct solution of the so-called
Negro problem. Labor is the gateway
through which our race must pass in
order to reach the higher vantage
ground upon which the Caucasian now
stands. The Negro must become a
skilled workman, a master in the work
of the farm, the factory and the shop,
and be able to stand side by side with
the white man in work of the same
kind.
when the Negro has once become
active in such enterprises as these,
whether within the four walls of a
factory or upon the broad acres ready
for agriculture, he will produce some
thing which humanity needs and there
will be no question as to the color Of
the producer. His manufactured prod |
ucts will add as much wealth to the |
country, his foodstuffs will build the
same tissues for the body as the same |
products of his white brethren do now. |
He will then become a power in the
world and as such recog-
nized and respected by all. To agitate
the question of social equality is at
present mere nonsense. If we are to
enjoy the progress and privileges of
the other race, this enjoyment must
come to us as the result of constant
struggle rather than by legislation or
other arbitrary means. No race that
has anything to contribute to the
wealth and welfare of the world can
long remain in any degree ostracized,
and thus also with the individual.
Upon this foundation of labor and
worth Mr.. Washington is seeking to
raise up noble characters. His school
IS temple from whose shrine, long
after he has gone to his reward,
thousands will go forth to carry on his
work and bless the world. They will
emulate his example and the magnet
SIN of his noble life will stimulate
hem to grand and noble deeds for
-neir own people and for all mankind.
And when posterity shall review the
list of famous men of this century, no
name will appear more prominent by
'eason of great achievement than the
lame of Booker T. Washington"
Miss Lillian E. Craddock, who has
'pent the past five months in Helena,
EFT June l for her home in Denver.
Mrs. S. G. Spauldqing and daughter
'pent few days in Helena.
A jolly theater party attended the
performance of Faust" during Mrs.
'paulding's stay in the city.
Miss Minnie Gatewood, who has
'een i'll with quinsy. is out again.
Among the amusements for the sum- .
ner attractions will be two lawn ten !
lis courts.
one of the most popular clubs OF
ne city is the d. P.'s, and they are
ooklng forward to the good time they