The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-15

the solution OF the negro problem must
amid their own SURROUNDINGS. bear the
heat Of the day and stagger under the
weight of the white mans burden.
COOPERATION NEEDED.
There are. however, other considera-
tions 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 ne
gro, fully believing in the possibility OF
his Improvement and advancement, and
sincerely and confidently laboring 10 that
end. IL is folly for us 20 ignore the i'm
portance Of the ungrudglng cooperation
on the part of tho white people of the
south in this work. Labor as we Will
those who do the lifting OF the weight
must be those who stand next TO Il.
This cooperation cannot be forced;
nor can II be gained by gratuitously run
ming counter 10 firmly fixed and tcna-
ciously held southern ideas. or even
prejudices. The questions Immediately
pressing have to do with the practical
education OF the negro. and especially
with fitting him TO compete with his
white neighbors in gaining a decent, re-
spectacle and remunerative livelihood.
Booker Washington, in speaking OF
the conditions and needs OF his race, has
wisely said: 1T is at the bottom OF life
we must begin. and not at the top; nor
shadow our opportunities
In summing up the whole matter there
Is one thing OF which we can be abso-
lutely and unresorvedly certain. When
we aid Tuskegee Institute and agencies
like Il, striving for the mental and man
usl education of the negro at 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 filing
his place and bearintg its responsibilities
We are sowing well In the soil at "the
bottom OF life' the seeds OF the black
mans development and usefulness. These
seeds will not die, but will sprout and
grow; and II IL be within the wise pur-
pose OF God. the hardened surface OF no
untoward sentiment or prejudice can pre-
vent the bursting forth OF the blade
and plant of the negro's appointed oppor-
tunity into the bright sunlight OF
cloudless day"
GREAT MORAL ASSET.
At the conclusion OF his address Mr.
Cleveland introduced Edgar Murphy, who
said In part:
II think that wise men everywhere are
in the Principal OF Tuskegee
one OF the greatest moral assets in the
life of our country today.
The South has not applauded him
with indiscriminating agreement, or with
thoughtless pro1tless ac-
claim. The South has some times blamed
him. But the South IL too fair TO him and
to his race to allow these occasions OF
to distort the broad per-
spective in which she has viewed and ap-
preciated that arduous public service.
through which. for 20 years. in cheerful
patience and unaffected modesty he has
labored for the upbuilding OF his humble
md untutored fellows He has greatly
done a great work in response TO a great
need
North and South there have been those |
who have seen peril I'm the negro and pro- |
gress. but n the progress OF the negro |
brings peril with II. that peril Is nothing
In comparison with the perils attendant |
upon the negro's failure"
DR. Lyman Abbott who followed. said !
that the South deserved great credit for !
taking up as IL had an untried problem /
In helping the negro TO help himself |
And the North" he said, has given her /
scant credit. The South has given the ne /
gro schools that the North has refused |
him and done many other things toward /
bis future that the North never thought /
Of"
DR.. Abbott next spoke OF the great work |
n Booker r. Washington and praised |
him in the highest terms. declaring he i
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.
w. IT, Baldwin. Jr. treasurer Of the I
ruskegee Institute. announced that since \
he meeting had begun he had received \
two telegrams. one announcing a gift of \
no zoo from a ladv I'm Ohio and the other /
/ g1ft OF $1,000 from n lady and gentleman