The colored American., 1902-06-21

StTaIn-dnd they would blossom as TIL
rose. One dollar year from each IN
I dividual would thus erect nine lnonu
ments to Negro enterpTiSe-nine field
of employment for the bright boys anC
girls now seeking livelihood; nine OBJ
ject lessons to which we could point will
pride: nine commercial and social force:
for lasting good; nine convincing argu
ments against racial incapacity-all fol
ST a piece from population that draws
more salary than is found among Ne
groes in any other community. We
have the dollar-but no business eStab-
lishments of note-none where an aggre-
CATION of capital is invested"
What is your theory of this failure
of Negroes to combine in commerce
They unite very readily in churches, Sc
cret societies, clubs, etc" said l.
There are several reasons, but all
from the business mans standpoint.
hinge upon insufficiency of capital, and
this carries us back to the people who
refuse to invest their small savings in a
corporation, perhaps through lack of
confidence. We are hard to suit when
served by our own color, while accepting
any treatment from the other race. We
get apart by trying to impress white peo-
pie with our individual superiority and
personal importance. We are so con-
ceited and so given to trucking to flat
terry that we sell out the interests of the
race for white merchants hypocritical
smile. Again we do not know how to
buy, so as to sell to advantage, hence are
not able to meet the lowest prices. Few
OF us understand human nature well
enough to serve goods in the courteous.
affable manner that draws and holds
trade. Worst of all, too many of us are
jealous of the Negro who acquires
enough wealth 10 own a home and drive
a carriage, and are not happy in observ-
ing his prosperity. The bulk of the busi-
ness done by Negroes who are making
money, l am compelled to Say-comes
from the pockets of the white people.
We get the money from the Caucasians
and pay II back to them. Consequent
ly' they own the earth and the fullness
thereof"
What of the future?"
l am hopeful of an ultimate trend to-
ward common sense action and a knowl-
edge OF the power of multiplied dollars
but am inclined to the belief that the
situation will be 9UOrSe before it will be
better"
John Wills is not prophet nor the
son OF a prophet, but he said something
IN this little sermon of his that furnishes
food tor grave reflection.
Rector o. NJ. Waller did the correct
and manly thing last Sunday morning
when ne took his place in the chancei
and hurled confusion into the camp of
the enemies who have been steathly en-
deaYorlng to DESTROY his usefulness as
minister. In a clean-cut. well-temper-
ed' yet hrm, speech of few minutes. he
denied the foul aspersions cast upon his
moral integrity by unknown persons.
and suggested that the interested ones
come out from behind the ambuscade of
whispered vllllhcation and ANONYMOUS
ieuerS, and assume the responsibility of
dennlte charges, to the end that an in
NeStigatlon may be had For the first
tlnle IN his seven years of labor here. he
hdd 1elt 1t necessary to interject into n
service personal matter of auv kind
Dut ne thought 1t best fer all concerned
10 make plain his attitude upon the sub
Ject. Out of 5o3 members. Mr.. Waller
estimated that the disaffected ones num-
Dered about I5-an element too infnites-
lrilaI TO warrant attention save for the
purpose OF emphasizing his strength
with the main body of the church. 1t
was hinted that if the mischief-makers
could not become reconciled, the proper