The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-10
PUTS TRUTH BEFORE RACE
Booker Washington Speaks Before the
Negro Congress.
He URGES A RETURN OF GOOD FOR EVIL
There is Curious Note in Washington's Ad-
dress Which Is Somewhat Difficult
10 Communicate in Brief
Headlines.
(By the Associated Press }

(By the Associated Press)
| Atlanta, Ga, Aug. 9.-The general
theme of today's sessions of the Negro
Young Peoples Christian and Education
al Congress was "The Educational Life
of the Race" The interest centered in
the address of Booker T. Washington
| delivered at the morning session of
/ the conference. Rev. DR.. r. B. Scott of
New Orleans, presided and introduced
Prof. Washington, who was greeted with
general applause. The subject of Prof.
| Washingtons address was:
"The Contribution of the South to the
| Education of the Race
In introducing his address, Prof Wash
| ington 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 sympathhy and
helpful kindness of the people of all
parts of the country. The negro race,
| Prof. Washington stated, had ever striven
to prove itself of service and not a
burden, and he cited the fact that few
colored beggars are seen.
while we have been of service to this
country" he continued, eve have OBJ
tanned much, both in slavery and free
dom that has fitted us for the duties of
useful citizenship"
Prof. Washington then cited several
instances to illustrate the degree in
which the negro responds to outside in
f1uences, telling of two negro townships
in Alabama, one of which had not been
helped or reached by outside influence
and the other which had been given the
advantages OF education and proper
training. In the first township the
masses of the people were without land,
living in one room cabins with their
crops mortgaged and deeply in debt,
while Ignorance and immortality were in
evidence. In the second township were
12S negro homes containing 667 persons
and 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 people
had improved their moral and religious
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, North
and South. l want to see lifting up and
purifying of the character of our min
listers in every part of the country.
mo race can hate another without
that race being weakened, narrowed and
degraded. Let us cultivate friendship
and love for all races and individuals
and harbor hatred for none If others
would be little, let 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 others 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 discouraged.
We have made immense progress as a
race. Let us remember that the surest
protection will be our usefulness to the
community in which we live"
Among other speakers at the morning
session of the conference were Rev w.
B. Johnson, of Washington, D. c.; Rev. |
N. c. B. Mason, of Cincinnati; Rev, Fl.
A. Monroe, of Philadelphia. and Rev. w.
H. Weaver, of Pittsburg. Separate con-
ferences upon educational subjects were
held in the various churches of Atlanta
during the afternoon.
Considerable interest in an address of
Rev. NJ. C. B. Mason. corresponding
secretary of the Freedman's Aid and Ed
ucational Society, of Cincinnati He
spoke upon the public spirit and results
OF educational work of the Methodist |
Episcopal church for the negro. After
review of the accomplishments of the
Freedman's Aid and Educational Society /
in the advancement in education through |
out the South, DR.. Mason said that he |
presented no theory for the race prob |
lem, but that the gospel, when given in |
its truest sense would solve all prob |
lens of race distinction and annihilate |
all strained relations.
Much would be gained he said, ''if |
for the next century the much abused |
talk of leadership could be entirely |
ceased
THE educated negro must be bigger |
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, generous and /
just ours is to challenge his respect by /
life of uprightness, integrity and use (
fulness; and thus show him that the ed /
ucation that educates, no more spoils /
the black man than the white man.
Conferences upon educational subjects |
were held in eight different churches of i
the city throughout the afternoon. The i