The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-15

the South, who In the solution OF the negro
problem must, amid their own surround
ings, bear the heat Of the day and stagger
under the weight of the white mans . Dur
den.
There are, however, considerations re-
lated to this feature of the negro ques-
tiOn which may be regarded as more In
keeping with the objects and purposes OF
this occasion. As friends of the negro,
fully believing in the possibility of his
Improvement and advancement, and sim
end, ID is folly for us 10 ignore the i'm
portance of the ungrudging cooperation
on the part of the 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 IL be gained by
gratuitously running counter TO firmly
fixed and tenaciously held Southern ideas
or even prejudices. We are not brought
to the point OF doing overlooking evil
that good may come when We proceed upon
the theory that before reaching the stage
where we may be directly and practically
confronted with the question of the negro's
full enjoyment Of civic advantages or even
of all his political privileges, In which
around us questions demanding our imme-
date care, and that In dealing effectively
with these we can confidently rely upon the
thoughtful and patriotic citizen of the
whatever may be his ideas or
phases OF the negro problem. These ques-
tions that are so Immediately pressing have
10 do with the practical education OF the
negro. and especially with fitting him to
compete with his white neighbors in gain
ing a decent, respectable and remunera-
tive 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 should we permit our grievances to
overshadow our opportunities
SEEDS THAT WILL LIVE.
"In summing up the whole matter, there
is one thing of which we can be absolutely
and unreservedly certain. When we aid
Tuskegee Institute and agencies like II,
striving for the mental and manual educa-
tion of the negro at the South, we are In
every point of view rendering him the best
possible service. Whatever may be his ulti-
mate destiny we are thus helping to fit him
for filling his place and bearing its re-
sponsibilities We are sowing we'll in the
soil at the bottom of life the seeds of the
black mans development and usefulness.
These seeds will not die, but will sprou'
and grow; and IL il be within the wise pur-
pose of God, the hardened surface Of no
outward sentiment or prejudice can prevent
the bursting forth of the blade and plant
OF the negro's appointed opportunity into
the bright sunlight of cloudless day..
Cleveland introduced Edgar G. Murphy.
who paid tribute to the work of Booker T.
Washington.
DR.. Lyman Abbott, who followed, said
the South deserved great credit for taking
up as 1t had an untried problem in helping
the negro to help himself "And the
North" he said. has given her scant
credit She has given him schools that the
North has refused him and done many
other things toward his future that the
North never thought Of" DIR. Abbott next
spoke of the great work of Booker T.
Washington and praised him In the highest
terms. declaring he 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 he had taken
up as his life task.
w. Fl. Baldwin, jr.. treasurer of the Tus-
kegee Institute, announced that since the
meeting had begun he had received two
kilograms, one announcing a gift OF $1,000
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