The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-20

Tuskegee. Feb. 1s.-(Special. )-The eleventh Tuskegee Negro Conference will certainly be memorable for its bright. warm, sunny day and moonlight night. It was real Tuskegee weather. Another feature of interest was the large num- Der of presidents of institutes of learning present with their wives. The center. of attraction and the one all sought to honor was pr. King, of the Union University. Richmond. Va, who was Mfr. Washing tons teacher, for c year. after he finished at Hampton. MT. Washington has always felt greatly indebted to Dr. King for the year of instruction under him and Dr. King was more than repaid for all he had done as he saw ruskegee. for the first time. An unusual number of graduates were present, giving the occa- sion an air of commencement time. Some who have been visiting the conference foI a number of years brought up large dsls> gations of their friends. Many teachers and other workers brought large mum bers of their young people, especially young men. to get the inspiration of ths conference and enjoy the great day in school. The barbecue dinner was c special feature of the conference, again, this year. Long tables were spread near the chapel and 1000 pounds of beef and 700 pounds of pork, with bread and cof- fee were served. This was in addition to the vast number who ate in the vari- ous dining rooms and in private families. The industrial work of the school was in full operation till 10 a. m. and the visitors were conducted. by guides. all through the shops, the dairy and over the gar dens and farm. Teachers. farmers and all were greatly impressed and these three early morning hours will prove to them most valuable part of the con ference. Professor J. N. Galloway came yesterday from sixteen months experi- ence in Africa, where he went with three Tuskegee graduates to induce cotton ,rsis ing in a German colony, on the west coast of Africa. under the auspices of the Ger man Government. The three young men are still there to carry on the experiment that, so far promises the largest suc- cess. Mir. Galloway was given a most royal welcome by the school and his appearance before tho conference made a great impression upon all. He brought the greetings of the mother country to the conference. He said he did not want the colored people to go to Africa as emigrants, but as teachers in school and on the farm. in the shop and in busi- ness. Rev. D. Clay Lilly. secretary of colored evangelization of the Presbyterian Church, presented to Mir. Washington, after Mir. Galloway had spoken. bat tie ax, brought by a returned missionary from the Congo Country, in the heart of Africa. He wished it turned into an emblem of peace and civilization.
 The conference was called to order at 10 a. m. in the chapel by Principal Wash ington. The scriptures were read by Rev. ]. M. Wood of Chesson. Ala, and prayer offered by Rev., J. Mckinney of Coosa County. Mir. Washington follow | ed with a brief opening address. He said in part:
 q want you first of all to feel hearty welcome. not to our institution. but to your institution. for it belongs to you.
 ''As an indication of the progress the l race is making in some of the more essen- tial things in life. it is interesting to note that at this, the eleventh annual session of the Tpskegee Negro Confer ence we will be able to have the discus sion almost wholly on the part of those who have actually bought and paid for their homes and have no mortgage or any incumhrance resting upon them. Ten years ago this would have been an inn possible thing. As far as there is time for 1t, we are going to have those who have paid for their homes tell in a simple. straightforward manner the struggle that they have gone through in securing these homes in order that the lessons may serve to encourage those who are yet without property of their own. Next year perhaps we can give more time to hearing from those who are intending to buy homes, but this is q practical conference and the world has not very much time to listen to those who are merely intending to do something but is anxious to hear from those who have actually done something
 ta h rUtf n a the place to begin to make improvement Is right where it Is, Too many of us expect to buy homes. to cease mortgag- ing crops, to bnild school houses and prolong the school term, and have bet ted moral and religious atmosphere in our communities next year or at some far off future time. We want to begin to do these things right now. Or do we expect to wait until we move into some other State Or perhaps go north or go to Africa, but have noted that the man who can not buy a home and save money and educate his children in the South seldom does It anywhere. If we cannot improve our condition here ! do not believe that there are many spots on the earth where we can do so.
 The prosperity and usefulness of any race in a large measure depends upon the ownership and proper cultivation of the soil; especially is this true in the earlier stages of the progress of the race There is an opportunity open in the South for every black man to pur- chase a farm and to make an independent living upon that farm. Agriculture will give the race the foundation upon which to build and prepare itself for more im- portant things.
 Throughout the South the youth of our race should be constantly reminded that we have the occupations that relate to agriculture. mechanics and all domestic employments practically in our hands. We will hold on to these occupations just in proportion as we, as a race, learn to put brains. skill and dignity into them The minute we fail to keep pace with the progress of the world in regard to these occupations. that minute we will begin to lose our hold upon these employments and others. from a distance, will come in and take our places. Our youth should be taught that there Is no disgrace in any form of manual labor, but there is dis grace In all forms of idleness and in failure to perform. in the best manner. every task no matter how seemingly un- important 1t Is.
 In many directions there may be limita- tions. but there is no limitation to any man owning and occupying the most beautiful, comfortable home that can be erected, and there Is nothing that can prevent the individual owning and occu- pying that home from being the most honest, energetic, progressive and even wealthy man in his community There Is something in human nature that