The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-02-23
Washingt0n's Birthday is Oh
served in New York
BOOKER WASHINGTON SPEAKS
National Airs Rendered and Great
Chorus Sings With lnspiration-ln
Rome the Homes of Americans
6edecked With Flags.

New York, February 22.-Washington's
birthday was observed here by special
services of patriotic societies and many
clergymen made the anniversary the sub
ject of their sermons. The Society of the
Sons of the Revolution of the State of
New York had its thirteenth annual SER
vice in the Brick Presbyterian church.
AT Carnegie hall patriotic mass meet
ing was conducted under the auspices of
the Y. NJ. C. A. Patriotic airs were rem
dered by the Seventh Regiment band and
the New York Festival chorus of three
hundred voices. the audience joining in
the singing of the national anthem and
the battle hymn of the republic.
Booker T. Washington was the orator
at memorial meeting held tonight in the
Academy of Arts and Sciences. The
speaker devoted his address to the con-
sderation of the race problem and spoke
in part as follows:
Booker Washington Speaks.
Unlike the Indian the original Mexi-
can or the Hawaiian, the negro, so far
from dying out when in contact with a
stronger and different race, has con-
tinued to increase in numbers to such an
extent that whereas the race entered
bondage twenty in number, there are
now more than 100000. So, l want to
emphasize the truth that whether we
are of northern or southern birth, wheth-
er we are black or white we must face
frankly the hard, stubborn fact that in
bondage and in freedom, the negro. in
spite of all predictions to the contrary,
has continued year by year to Increase
in numbers until he now forms about
one-seventh of the entire population and
that there are no signs that the same
ratio of increase will not hold good In
the future. Further than this despite or
all the changing, uncertain conditions
through which the race has passed and
is passing, you will find that every year
since the black man came into TINS
country whether in bondage or IN Iree-
dom, he has made a steady gain In ac-'
curing property skill, habits of indus
try. education and Christian character.
''ro deal practically and directly with
the affairs of my own race. believe that
both the teachings of history as well as
the results of everyday observation,
should convince us that we shall make
our most enduring progress by laying the
foundations firmly patiently in the own
ership of the soil the exercise of habits
of economy, the saving of money. the
securing of the most complete education
of hand and head and the cultivation of
Christian virtues.
Asks Opportunity.
'I cannot believe, | will not believe,
that country that invites into its midst
every type of European, from the highest
to the very dregs of the earth, and gives
these corners shelter, protection and the
highest encouragement, will refuse to ac-
cord the same protection and encourage
ment to her black citizens. The negro
1zIr, oiaI q
asks is opportunity-tha the same law
that is made by the white man and APP
piled to the one race, be applied with
equal certainty and exactness to the
other.
"The age for settling great questions,
either social or national, with the shot
gun the torch and by lynchings has
passed An appeal to such methods is
unworthy of either race | believe the
time has come-and | believe 1t Is per-
fectly practical-when a group of repre-
sentative southern white men and north
ern white men and negroes should meet
and consider with the greatest calmness
and business sagacity the whole subject
as viewed from every standpoint"
The Day in Rome.
Rome, February 22.-Beautiful spring.
like weather prevailed here today, and all
the homes Oh Americans were beuSCheu
with the Stars and Stripes.
Because of Washingtons birthday fall
ing on Sunday, some objections were
made to holding receptions today. These
objections, however, were smoothed away
by making the reception at the United
States embassy a purely informal affair,
at which tea was served. 1t was most
enjoyable affair, and the 600 Americans
present included DIR. Nevin, rector of the
Episcopal church; DIR. William Burt, head
of the American Methodist missions In
Europe; Bishop Burke of st. Joseph, Mo-;
Monsignor Farrelly. director of the Amer
ican college, Monsignor Robert Seton,
the prothonotary apostolic; Colonel Till
man of West Point and Mr.. and Miss
Choate. Allison Armour of New York,
Sir Seymour and Lady Blame. the latter
formerly Mrs. Henry Blake of Boston.
The Chinese minister with the staff Of
the legation also attended as a compli-
ment to the United States. The American
college gave a dinner in honor of the day,
at which toasts were drunk to the pope
and President Roosevelt
DIR. Nevin also gave a dinner tonight to
several members of the Loyal Legion.