The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-11-28
Thinks 1t Right, However, for
Roosevelt to Consult Him on
Men and Measures.
Az an Educator and Not a. Polih-
clan, He Has Had q Hand in Ap-
pointments-Door Should Not
Be Shut Tight Against
the Black Race.

. Birmingham, Ala. Nov. 26.-The follow
ing letter has been received by The Age
Herald from Booker T. Washington;
ITO the Editor Of The Age-Herald:
II notice that recent newspaper articles
have connected my name with political
matters In such manner as TO show that
my position IL not understood. desire
therefore to make the following statement:
My life work 10 the promotion Of the
education of my race. 1t 10 well known
that have always advised my people
that 1t Is of supreme Importance, at this
period of their Development that they
should concentrate their thought and
energy on the securing Of homes, the cui-
tivation of habits of thrift. economy,
skill, intelligence. high moral character
and the gaining of the respect and con-
fidehce of their meighbbrs white and
black, both In the South and North
From such teaching and counsel no In
fiuence can ever divert me.
Not q Politician.
Whatever conferences / have had with
the President or with any public offictal
have grown out Of my position, not as
politician, but as an educator. II should
be borne In mind that there are about
nine millions of negroes in the United
States who are liable under the law
for 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 national law-making
body and 1t is right that those charged
with making and executing the laws Of
the land should at times seek information
directly from members of the negro race
when their interests and their relations
with the whites among whom they live
are concerned.
Under no circumstances could ] seek
to promote political candidacies or vol
unteer information regarding men or
measures. nor have done so in the past;
but beer lse of the Importance ! have
always Ought to plas.e upon education
and industry among my people as the
basis of friendly relations between the
races there may be occasions In the
future. as there have been In the past,
when. If / am SO requested, can give In
formation about men and measures which
would tend to promote such friendly rela-
lions between the races Such informa-
ton it is my duty to give when II Is asked
for.
Advice to. His Race.
"At every opportunity / say to the
youth Of our people that they will make
mistake If they seek success In life
by mere political activity or the hope Of
holding political office. Now and then,
however, public questions affecting our in
terests arise which are 50 fundamental
and far-reaching that they transcend the
domain of politics When such questions
present themselves. in Justice to my
race. l make my position known and
stand for what l see to be the right.
I'VE cannot elevate and make useful a
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 a premium upon
intelligence. ownership Of property, thrift
and character.
"As an educator, and not as a politi-
clan, / strive in every honorable and
rational way TO encourage the wise and
enduring progress Of my people: for II all
inspiration and hope of reward is to be
denied them. they will be deprived OF one
of the greatest incentives to intelligence,
industry and righteousness. On the other
hand, If they are encouraged in sensible
and conservative directions they will grow
year by year into contentedness and ad-
ded usefulness.
come up for preliminary trial before
Booker T. Washington"