The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-07
NEGROES GATHER
 IN CONVENTION
Seven Thousand of the Race
 Meet in Atlanta.
WORK FOR YOUNG PERSONS
Bishop W. J. Gaines Makes an Ad- dress, Pleading for Higher Edu- cation-says White People
 Do Not Oppose Negro.

Atlanta, August 6.-Fully 1000 negroes gathered this afternoon in the agricul- tural building at Piedmont park for ths opening session of the Negro Young Peo- ples Christian and Educational Congress, which Is the most extensive convention of colored people ever held in the United States. Bishop Wesley J. Gaines of the Methodist Episcopal church Is the pres- ident of the conference, and his ad6r ess was the feature of the opening day. Ad- dresses of welcome were mace by Gcver- nor Candler of Georgia and Mayor Mims of Atlanta, and responded to by Prof. J. Garland Penn of Atlanta, Rev. Dr. E. l.. Isaac of Nashville. Dr. W. J. Jones of Charlotte, Rev, Dr. W. H. Weaver of Pittsburg. and Rev. B. ". Arnett, Jr, of Springfield, o.
 The greetings of the Methodist Episoc- pal church were extended by Bishop John M. Walden of Cincinnati
 Bishop Gaines Talks.
 The address Of Bishop Gaines was as follows:
 The race question will adjust itself naturally, for God has ordained that 8 good end wise people will prosper any where and everywhere. Let respectabil- ity of intelligence and Christian charac- ter clothe a man, despite ms race anu despite his color. No oppositions and prejudices will prevent his progress to wealth, happiness and prosperity
 'I believe that the better class of white people fin this country are anxious to see the negro become a wise, intel ligent and thrifty citizen. Many of them are helping forward his education by their money and influence. We would be lacking in gratitude to the white men, both of the north and the south, did we not gratefully acknowle@Se their philan- tropic gifts to the cause of negro edu- cation. Our white friends are not our enemies, and though often the worst ele- ments of our race bring shame upon us, they are wise enough and generous enough not to discount those of us who are honestly trying to make good citi- zens In this movement we will have the hearty indorsement of the better class of white people of this country and the negro, who has intelligence and charac- ter. has nothing to fear from this class who wish him to better his condition. They furnish no barriers to his indus trial betterment, but will gladly open to him avenues of employment and useful labor.
 No Opposition by Whites.
 "When the negro shall have justified his position by thus fitting himself both in character and intelligence for the best citizenship his rights before the law will be more sacredy regarded and all com plaints of injustice now sometimes un- fortunately too well founded, will be at an end.i
 Tonight's session was devoted to Sun day schools and young peoples societies. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. A. Whittel, D. D. Raleigh, N. C.; the Rev. J. s. Caldwell, D. D., Philadelphia i; the Rev. B. Johnson, D. D., Nashville; Bishop Isaac W. Joyce, Minneapolis; the Rev. W. B. Johnson, D. D.. Montgomery, Ala; the Rev. J. W. Luckett, D. D., Hop kinsville. Ky, and the Rev. W. D. Chap belle, D. D., Nashville.