The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-28
BOOKER WASHINGTON
DISCUSSES HIS RACE.
Negro Educator Tells what He Tries
TO Accomplish

TO Accomplish.
Birmingham, Ala, Nov. 27.-The fol-
lowing letter has been received by the
Age Herald from Booker T. Washing
ton:
ITO the Editor of the Age-Herald: 1
notice that several newspapers have re-
Gently connected my name with politi-
cal matters in such manner as to
show that my position is not under
stood. 1 desire, therefore to make the
following statement:
My life work is the promotion of the
education of any race. Ii is well known
that I have always advised my people
that il is of supreme importance at
this period of their development that
they should concentrate their thought
and energy on the securing of homes.
the cultivation of habits of thrift. econ
omy, skill, intelligence. high moral
character and the gaining of the re-
spect and confidence of their neighbors
white and black, both in the South and
North. From such teaching and coun-
sci, no influence can ever divert me.
What conferences | have had with
the President or with any public offic-
ial have grown out of my position. not
as politician, but as an educator. IL
about 100000 negroes in the United
States who are liable under the law
Tor taxes and military service. and
Who are punishable for infraction of
the law. These people at present have
no member of their race in the nation
al lawmaking body and it is right that
those charged with making and exc
cutting the laws of the land should at
times seek Information directly from
hnrc of ha =, -. IL.
interests and relations with the whites
among whom they live are concerned.
Under no circumstances could | seek
TO promote political candidates. or vol
unteer information regarding men or
measures, nor have ! done so in the
past; but because of the Importance
l have always sought to place upon
education and industry among my peo-
pie as the basis for friendly relations
between the races, there may be oc-
casions in. the future, as there have
been in the past. when, if | am so re-
quested. l can give information about
men and measures which would tend
to promote such friendly relations be
tween the races. Such information it
is my duty to give when it is asked
for.
AT every proper opportunity I say
to the youth of our people that they
W III MAKE a mistake II tneY seek TO
succeed in life by mere political activ-
ity or the hope of holding political of
flee. Now and then. however. public
questions affecting Our interests arise
which are so fundamental and far
reaching that they transcend the do
main of politics. When such questions
present themselves, in justice to my
race l make my position known and
stand for what / see to be the right.
I'VE cannot elevate and make USE
full race of people until there is held
out to them the hope of reward for
right-living. Every revised constitution
throughout the Southern states has put
premium on intelligence ownership
of property thrift and character.
"As an educator, and not as a poll
tician, | strive in every honorable and
rational way to encourage the wise and
enduring progress of my people: for if
all inspiration and hope of reward is to
be denied them, they win be deprived
of one of the greatest incentives to in
telligence, industry and righteousness.
On the other hand, if they are encour-
aged in sensible and conservative di-
rections, they will grow year by year
into contentedness and added useful
ness. Booker T. Washington