The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-20
BLACK MAN NEEDS
 ID SHOW THRIFT
Booker Washington Addres ses Negro League at Nashville
RACE IS GOING FORWARD
He Says the Negro Must Emphsslze opportunltIee More Than orlev. ances, cc the World Gets Tired
 of That -sound Advice.

Nashville, August 19.-Some 15000 negroes representing almost every section of the country assembled in the house of repre- sentatives at the state capitol this morn- ing. the occasion being the opening of the fourth annual convention of the National Negro Business Mems league. The ses- sions will continue until tomorrow even- Ing. Booker T. Washington, the Ala bama educator and president of the league, was the figure of the convention and his address tonight attracted a large audience. Prof. Washington's speech was the feature, and was received with evidence of warm approval, he said;
 "The National Negro Business League assembled here, constitutes l think l am safe in saying, the largest and perhaps the most representative secular organiza- ton among our people in this country. It's growth during the five years since it's first organization at Boston has been at very rapid rate.
 Black Man Improves.
 More and more l am glad to see the black man is beginning to appreciate and take advantage of the opportunities for commercial and business development in 1 this country. It Is much wiser for us to emphasize opportunities than grievances. The world soon gets tired of the man or the race with grievance. We must l learn to be bigger than those who would insult us. We must learn to hold up our heads and march bravely forward in spite of obstacles and diseouragements. The mere fact that there can assemble in this beautiful state capitol building in a southern state hundreds of colored men ! and women from all parts of the country, 1 representing as you do nearly every line of business in which the white man is engaged, Is an indication of growth which is more potent and helpful than much ab- stract argument The race that can pro- duce such an assembly of men and wo- men, after only forty years of free dom Is one to be proud of.
 We shall succeed in winning our way l Into the confidence and esteem of the American people just in proportion as we show ourselves valuable to the commun- ity 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 rule the vote of the man, no matter what his color, who is a large tax payer. It Is not the negro who owns 1 a successful business or works at a trade who is charged with crime.
 Many Opportunities Open.
 While we are in many cases surround ed by disadvantages, when we compare our condition and opportunities with those of the Jew in many parts of Europe, it is easy ID that almost every opportunity l denied the Jews is open to us.
 "The greater difficulties to be overcome, the more strength we shall gain by suc- l ceedng.
 "Every house owned every farm well l cultivated every bank account, every store operated. every tax receipt is one Influence which will operate tremen- 1 dously in our favor.
 "The negro is not ungrateful for all the benefits he has received at the hands of l the white people of this country, and should on every proper occasion never 1 fail to express this gratitude in no uncer tain language But the mere fact that We are not easily satisfied and still seek fur ther opportunities of advancement, is an indication of the value of the race. Peo- pie who are easily satisfied are people of l few wants. Wherever you find a race l thta is easily satisfied and one that has l few wants, there you will find a race that is of little value to it's country, industrial ly, commercially, or in any other direc- tion."
 Jubilee Songs Sung.
 At the opening this morning. the sing ing of jubilee songs was followed by pray CT and an address of welcome by Mayor Elect Albert s. Williams and President l Collier, of the chamber of commerce. After the addresses the convention ad- I journed unll tonight.
 Tonight the league put itself on record in reference to the recent disturbance at Boston meeting which was being ad- dressed by Professor Washington. On motion of Dr. F. c. Morris of Arkansas, president of the National Baptist conven- ton, the largest negro organization in America, the nights program was sus- pended and by 0 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 .innois. were emphatic in ex- precision and aroused enthusiasm.