The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-20
WASHINGTON SPEAKS
TUsKEGEE PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
 Es NEGRO LEAGUE.
Declares it is Wise for Negrn to Em- phasiEe Opportunities More than 0risvances--other Addresses
 Made.

. Nashville. Tenn. Aug. is.-some i.5ou negroes, representing almost every sec ton of the country. assembled in the House of Representatives at the State Capitol this morning, the occasion being the opening of the fourth annual coa- vention of the National Negro Business Mems League. The sessions win con- tinue until tomorrow evening. Booker T. Washington, the Alabama educator and President of the League. was the central figure of the convention and his address tonight attracted large audi ences Professor Washington's speech was the feature of the night session and was received with evidences of warm ap- provai He said:
 ''The National Negro Business Mems Lesgue assembled here constitutes think I am safe in saying. the largest and perhaps the most representative sec the country. Its growth during the five years since it's first organization at Bos- ton has been at q very rapid rate.
 More and more, am lad to see. the black man Is beginning to appreciate and take advantage of the opportunities for commercial and business development in this country. It Is much wiser for us to emphasize opportunities than grievances. The world soon gets tired of the man or
 
 learn to be bigger than those who would insult us. We must learn to hold up our heads and march braveiy forward in spite of obstacles and dispuragements. The mere fact that there can assemble in this benutifui State Capitol building in q Southern State. hundreds of col ored men and women from all parts of the country, representing as you do. near ly every line of business in which the WHifA Ia a a n fRdlra tfnF1 faf growth which Is more potent and help full than much abstract argument The race that can produce such an assembly of men and women after only forty years of freedom. is one to beaproud of.
 We shall succeed in winning our way into the confidence and esteem of the American people just in proportion as we show ourselves valuable to the commit nity in which we live, In all the common industries. in commerce. in the welfare of the State and in the manifestation of the highest character. The community does not fear. as a rule, the vote of the man, no matter what his color, who Is a large tax payer. It Is not the negro who owns a successful business. or works at a trade. who is charged with crime
 While we are in many cases surround ed with disadvantages. when we compare our condition and opportunities with those of the Jew in many parts of Eu- rope, 1t Is easy to see that almost every opportunity denied the Jews is open to us.
 ''The greater the difsiculties to be over- come. the more strength we shall gain by succeeding.
 cultivated, every bank account, every store operated. every tax receipt, Is an in- fiuence which will operate tremendously in our favor.
 ''The negro Is not ungrateful for all the benefits he has received at the hands of the white people of this country, and should on every proper occasion never fail to express this gratitude in no un- certain language. But the mere fact that further opportunities of advancement, Is an indication of the value of the race. People who are easily satisfied are peo- pie of few wants. Wherever you find a race that Is easily satisfied, and one that has few wants, there you will find a race of little value to it's country, indus triaily. commercially or in any other di- rection."
 At the opening this morning the sing ing of jubilee songs was followed by prayer and an address of welcome by MayoR-elect Williams and President Col Her of the Chamber of Commerce. Af- ter the address the convention adjourned until toniht.
 Tonight the League put iself on record in reference to the recent disturbance at Boston meeting which was being ad- dressed by Professor Washington. On motion of pr. B. c. Morris of Arkansas, President of the National Baptist Con- vention, the largest negro organization in America. the nights program was sus- pended and by a rising vote Booker T. Washington was reelected President of the League. The seconding speeches by J. c. Napier of Tennessee .and s. Laing Williams of Illinois. were emphatic in expression and aroused enthusiasm.