Evening star., 1903-07-16
Mr.. Macfarland's Address.

HAA. hAetN1stA 1AAld oooISSS
After quiet had been restored Mr. Mac
farland began his address. He spoke, in
part. as follows:
Il am glad to come to congratulate you
on this fine building and to welcome your
guests from away. You are entitled to a
just pride in the achievement which this
dedication represents. 1t is significant to
all of us. 1t not only rewards your en-
deayors with all their patience and pru-
dence. it not only adds to your reputation
and standing. but 1t benefits the whole
community. 1t shows that you can be good
business men. 1t shows that you can make
honest and worthy success in those pur-
suits where you have had least opportun-
ity. and therefore least experience. This
means much for your future and the fu-
ture of all your people. Financial inde-
pendence Is necessary for every other kind
OF Independence. good name Is better
than riches. If you have to choose but you
can have the good name and comparative
riches at least Industrial fitness. busi-
ness capacity, proved qualifications for
economic success help to make character
as well as reputation.
Il have been much interested in the re-
ports OF the three annual conventions of
founded by Booker T. Washing
ton with all its promise of en-
couragement and advancement along busi-
ness lines. None of the other business un-
dertakings represented In that movement
is so large. I believe. as that of the organ
ization which you represent. It's remark
able development from the brain of one
man who had been a slave In Georgia un-
til, according to its reports, it is organized
In twenty-six states. with membership of
65 OO0 carrying on successfully a bank with
100000 capital and 10, 900 depositors,
a society for the care of the sick bur
ial of the dead and limited insurance, a
mercantile business of 100000 a year a
printing department with newspaper circu-
lating 10000 copies a week, all apparently
fidence of white people well colored
people. in it's HEADQUARTERS at Richmond,
Va, merits our praise
President Roosevelt's Message.
feature of the occas sion came next
when President Taylor announced that al
though unable to be present President
Roosevelt had honOred the society with a
letter which would have to take the place
of an address. The assrmblage was mani
festly disappointed by this announcement,
but gave the letter enthusiastic applause
The Presidents letter follows:
MY Dear Sir: 1 wish ] could be pres
ent at the dedication of the hall. l most
earnestly believe in all Industrial and ben
eficial organizations of this character
whose purpose is to teach the lessons OF
thrift economy. industry, self-dependence
and elf-reliance. l am particularly pleased
to learn that your institution Is entirely
out OF debt. No one can watch with more
Jealous interest than l do the progress Of
the colored race; and with the colored man.
with the white man. the first step must
be for him to show his ability to take care
of himself and those dependent upon him.
With all good wishes sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
The dedicatory address was delivered by
]. G. Dancey, recorder of deeds During
his remarks Recorder Dancey directed the
attention of the assemblage to the fact
that all of the work on the immense struc-
ture was performed by colored labor He
said the architect of the building is a col
ored man. as IS the contractor.
Other Addresses.
Deputy General c. A. Puryear of the
north division was introduced and made
brief address. after which followed, in
turn. the introduction OF Chief Thompson
OF the Philadelphia division, Chief Holmes
OF the Richmond division. Mrs James
chief OF the Baltimore division; Chief AL
len of the Manchester division Chief Bailey
of the ST. Louis division, Mrs. Lane chief
of the Wilmington. N. c.. division; Chief
Truehart of the Portsmouth division Chief
Holmes of the Alexandria division and
DR.. Brockett. chief of the Atlanta division
Each of these chiefs made brief speech
Mr.. Bailey Of ST Louis reported that the
order In the southwest Is making fatter-
ing progress in members and influence. The
st. Louis headquarters. he said. would
compare favorably with the building here
which had just been dedicated. The divi-
sion Of the order of which he ID the chief