The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-08-27
ADVISES BLACK MAN
The National Negro Business
Mems League Meets.
ADDRESS BY WASHINGTON
As President Of the League, Noted
Colored Educator Delivers an
Interesting Discourse Be.
fore Large Audience.

Some $500 negroes, representing al
most every section Of the country, as
sembled in the house of representa-
tives at the state capitol in Nashville,
Tern, Wednesday morning, the occa-
sion being the opening Of the fourth
annual convention of the National Ne
gro Business Mems League. Booker
T. washington, the Alabama educator
and president of the league, was the
central figure Of the convention, and
bis address Wednesday night at
tracted large audience. He said,
among many other things:
"The National Negro Business
League assembled here constitutes, !
think / am safe in saying, the largest
and perhaps the most representative
secular organization among our people
in this country. Its growth during the
five years since its first organization,
at Boston, has been at very rapid
rate.
more and more, I am glad to see,
the black man is beginning to appre-
ciate and take advantage of the oppor-
tunities for commercial and business
development in this country. 1t Is
much wiser for us to emphasize oppor.
tunities than grievances. The world
soon gets tired of the man or the race
with a grievance. We must 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 discourage
ments. The mere fact that there can
assemble here in this beautiful state
capitol building In a southern state
hundreds of colored men and women.
from all parts Of the country, repre-
senting, as we 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 abstract argument. The race
that can produce such an assembly OF
men and women after only forty years
of freedom is one to be proud Of.
I'VE 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
community 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 pay
er. 1t is; not the negro who owns sue
cessful business or works at trade
who is charged with crime.
"The greater the difficulties to be
overcome, the more strength we shall
gain by succeeding.
EVERY house owned, every farm
well cultivated and every bank &C.
count, every store, every tax receipt
we possess is one influence which Will
operate tremendously in oSr faor.
"The negro is not ungrateful TOR all
the benefits he has received at the
hands Of the white people OF this coun'
try, and should on every proper occa-
sion never fail to express this graft
tude in uncertain language, but the
mere fact that we are not easily salts
fed and seek advancement in still
other fields is an indication Of the
value of the race. People who are
easily satisfied are people OF few
wants. Wherever you find a race that
is easily satisfied, and one that has
few wants, there you will find a race
that Is of little value to It's country, IN
dustrially, commercially or in any d.
rection.
"The man who proves himself use,
full. Nc matter what his color, is the
one who Is going to succeed ANY
man who is Industrious and trustwor'
thew will find opportunities for grown
in nearly every line of business rlsn.
here in the south, and we; should not
fail to take advantage Of the openings
offered u.s."