The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-07-18
NEGROES IN THE SOUTH.
Booker Washington Tells Them the
Door Of Opportunity is Open.

Booker 4. Washington addressed an
immense audience at the People, Iaber-
nacle in Atlanta Tuesday night. the oc-
casion being the thirty.sixth anniversary
OF the First Colored congregational
Church. Some OF the leading white men
OF Atlanta took part. Among them were
Gov. Joseph NJ. Terrell. Mayor Evan L.
Howell and the Rev. II. 5. Bradley, pas
tor of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church
South. Washington spoke, In part, as
follows:
Every decent white man and negro in
the South il glad that the time VIII soon
be at an end when negro Will be popular
with his peoplei in proportion as he curses
the white man: or when white man can
be promoted 10 positions oi trust ano
honor in proportion as he has been sue
cessful in unfairly condemniDg the negro.
"The time has come here 10 the South
when believe the very highest types oil
Southern white men and women are go
ing more and more to take hand In the
elevation OF the blacks at their doors.
whites and blacks are TO reside to-
gether in this country permanently, and
we should lose no opportunity TO cultI-
vate in any manly way the greatest hsr
mouy bet the races. Whoever, North
or south. black or white, stirs up strife
needlessly, by word or deed, Is an enemy
to both races, and TO his country.
II appreciate from the bottom oi my
heart the tremendous and trying strain
that il now upon US. and how diilicult IL
is for US TO make progress undersueh cir
cumstances; but believe the m0mentous
period through which we are now pass
ing will draw to our support the good
will. sympathy, and helpful cooperation
OF large numbers of white men iD the
South az well as in the North, II we only
exercise due patience, selt-control, and
courage.
Nothing is more encouraging and sat
iefactory in the midst OF conditions that
surround us here In the South than the
fact that from time to time the best rep
resentatives OF both races can meet face
to face and discuss the questions that re-
late TO our mutual welfare. | should
rather-ten times rather-have the good
will and confidence OF the neighbors, In
my street, or in my little community,
than TO have their Ill will, for the sake OF
the friendship OF man thousand miles
away, for instance.
Two recent occurrences emphasize the
truth that the negro has strong and wise
friends here in the very heart OF the
South. | refer, first, TO the zeal that
some Of the members OF the white race
in my own State OF Alabama have shown
in bringing to proper punishment those
guilty OF establishing peOn8ge, a system
under which members OF my race have
been the sufferers. | refer also to the
action OF the Georgia Legislature, now In
session. in refusing TO accede TO an un-
wise and unjust division OF the public
school fund
III, at the present time, there Is any
one phase OF what is called the race prob
lem that should give US more concern
than any other, it is the large class OF
idle men that hang around street corn
ers and barroms OF our large cities. both
North and South, trying to live by their
wits. This idle class in the Northern
titles, is, fear, likely to bring serious
trouble TO the race sooner than the same
class will in the South, for the reason
that nearly every man, OF whatever color
in the South can fine abundant labor
while 10 the North the doors Of industry
are too often closed against the negro,
so as to force many who desire to work
into ideness, hence into crime"