Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-12-12
Letter from Booker T. Washington.
Letter to the Age-Herald, Birmingham
Alabama.1


Alabama.l
To the Editor of THE Age-Herald;"
I notice that several newspapers have re-
Gently connected my name with political
matters in such n manner as to show
that my position Is not understood. L
desire, therefore, to make the following
statement:
My life work Is the promotion of the
education of my race. 1t Is well known
that / 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 cul-
tivation of habits of thrift economy.
skill, intelligence, high moral character.
and the gaining of the respect and con-
fdence of their neighbors. white and
black, both in the South and North.
From such teaching and counsel no in
nuence can ever divert me.
What conferences l have had with the
President or with any public official have
grown out of my position. not as poll
tician, but as an educator. 1t 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 punish
| able for infraotion of the law. These
| people at present have no member OF
| their race in the national lawmaking body.
| and 1t is right that those charged with
making and executing the laws of the
| land should at times seek information d.
rectly from the members of the negro
race, when their intrests and relations
| with the whites among whom they live
| are concerned.
| Under no circumstances could I seek "a
| promote political candidates. or volunteer
| information regarding men or measures
nor have l done so In the past; but be-
| cause of the Importance I have always
| sought to place upon education and In
| dustry among my people as the basis for
| friendly relations between the races
| there may be occasions in the future as
| there have been in the past when, II
| l am so requested, I can give informat ton
| about men and measures which tend to
| promote such friendly relations between
| the races. Such information II is my
| duty to give when II Is asked for.
| At every proper opportunity I say tc
| the youth of our people that they will
| make a mistake II they seek to succeed
! in life by mere political activity or the
hope of holding political office. Now
and then, however public questions af'
| fecting our interests arise which are sc
| fundamental and far reaching that they
| transcend the domain of politics. Wher
| such questions present themselves In
| justice to my race, / make my position
known and stand for what I see tc
| be the right.
We cannot elevate and make useful q
race of people until there is held out tc
| them the hope of reward for right liv'
ing. Every revised constitution through
out the Southern States has put prem
ium upon intelligence, ownership of prop
erty, thrift and character,
AS an educator, and not as a politician
| l strive in every honorable and rationa
| way to encourage the wise and enduring
progress of my people, for II all inspira
ton and hope of reward is to be denied
them they will be deprived of one of the
greatest incentives to intelligence, indus
try and righteousness. On the othel
| hand II they are encouraged in sensible
and conservative directions they will
grow year by year into contentednesi
| and added usefulness.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON.