The Topeka state journal., 1903-04-15

~
freedom we may overlook the fact that
the masses of US are to live by the pro-
ductiOn of our hands and fail to keep
in mind that we shall prosper in proper
tion. as we learn to dignity and glorify
common labor and put brains and skill
into the common occupations of life
shall prosper in proportion as we learn
to draw the line between the superficial
and the substantial. the ornamental
gewgaws of life and the useful
I do not know how it may be with
other northern friends of the negro, but
L have faith in the honor and sincerity
of the respectable white people of the
south in their relations with the negro
They do not believe in the social equal
ity of the race, and they make no false
pretense in regard to it. That this does
not grow out of hatred of the negro IS
very plain 1t seems to me that there
is abundant sentiment and abundant
behavior among the southern whites
toward the negroes to make US doubt
the justice of charging this denial of
social equality to prejudice, as we usual
ly understand the word. Perhaps it is
born of something so much deeper and
more imperious than prejudice as to
amount to racial instinct. Whatever
it is, let us remember that it has con-
doned the negro's share in the humilia-
ton and spOilation of the white men Of
the south during the Saturnala of re-
construction days and has allowed q
kindly feeling for the negro to survive
the time when the south was deluged
by q perilous flood of indiscriminate,
unintelligent and blighting negro suf-
frage. Whatever it is. let us try to be
tolerant and considerate of the feelings
and even the prejudices of racial in
stinct of our white fellow cOuntrymen
of the south. who in the solution of the
negro problem must. amid their own
surroundings, bear the heat of the day
and tagger under the weight OF the
white mans burden.
There are. however, considerations
related to this feature of the negro
question which may be regarded as
more in keeping with the objects and
purposes of this occasion. AS. friends
of the negro, fully believing in the pos
sibility of his Improvement and ad-
vancement, and sincerely and confident
1 ly laboring to that end, it is folly for US
to ignore the Importance of the un-
! grudging cooperation on the part of
the white people of the south in this
work. Labor as we will, those who do
the 1ftin@ of the weight must be those
who stand next to it. This cooperation
cannot be forced. nor can it be gained
/ by gratuitously running counter to
firmly fixed and tenaciously held south
ern ideas, or even 9reiudices- We are
not brought to the point of doing CT
overlooking evil that good may come
when we proceed upon the theory that
/ before reaching the stage where we may
be directly and practically confronted
with the question of the negrOS full en-
joyment of civic adVant2g ges. or even Of
all his political privileges, there are i'm
mediately before US and around US
questions demanding our immediate
care. and that, in dealing effectively
with these. we can confidently rely upon
/ the announcement and assistance of
every thoughtful and patriotic citizen
of the land-wherever he may live and
whatever may be his ideas or oredilee-
! tions concerning the more remote
phases Of the negro problem. These
questions that are so Immediately press
ing have to do with the practical edu-
cation of the negro, and especially with
fitting him to compete with his white
neighbors in gaining decent, respect
| able and remuneraTive livelihood.
Booker Washington. in speaking of the
conditions and needs of his race has
wisely said: It is al the bottom of lie
we must begin, and not at the top Nor
should we permit our grievances tc
overshadow our opportunities
In summing up the whole matter
there is one thing Of which we can be
absolutely and unreservedly certain.
When we aid Tuskegee institute and
agencies like it. striving for the mental
and manual education of the negro al
the SOUTH we are in every point of view
rendering him the best possible service
| Whatever may be his Ultimate destiny
we are thus helping to fit him for filling
his place and bearing its responsibilities.
We are sowing well in the soil al sth~
bottom of life the seeds of the black
mans development and usefulness.
! These seeds will not die. but viii sprOut
and grow and if it be within the wise
purpose of God. the hardened surface Of
no outward sentiment or prejudice can
prevent the bursting forth of the blade
and plant Of the negro's appointed op-
portunity into the bright sunlight of q
cloudless day
AT the conclusion of his address Mr.
Cleveland introduced Edgar G. Murphy
DR. Lyman Abbott. who followed. said
that the south deserved great credit for
in helping the negro to help himself . And
the north. he said. has given her scant
credit She has given him schools that
the north has refused him and done many
other things toward his future that the
north never thought Of
Dr. Abbott next spoke of the great work
of Booker Z. Washington and praised him
in the highest terms. declaring he had done
as much for the white race as for the
colored. His work had really brought
about the union of north and south in
the work that he had taken up as his life
!, task.
Quoting remark made by Henry Ward
Beecher to the effect that should
make the negro worthy first and then
give him suffrage. DR.. Abbott said: w
made the error of giving him suffrage
first. and the unfortunate negro has had
to suffer ever since. What the negro
wants is education 1t all depends upon
shackle to our feet or wings to our body ,.
w H. Baldwin, jr- treasurer Of the
/ Tuskegee institute. announced that since
the meeting had begun he had received
: $1,000 from lady in Ohio and the other
a gift of 81 000 from a lady and geT1ti eT11an y
in the south He said that $500 had
been needed to pay the Indebtedness OF the
institute and that taking the gifts into
consideration, there was still sum OF