Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-30

.e'iecluaiiy, Dy John Sidney Tapley of
Sargentville.
.Mr. Tapley gave a clear and compre-
hensive discussion Of the conditions Of
the negroes from their first bondage to
their freedom. Mr.. Tapley in part
spoke as follows:
The race problem of the South deals
with the adjustment of the differences
ana distinctions which exist i'm moral,
social and political life between the
negio and the white man. The many
interests and industries of our country
are so closely united and SO dependent
one upon the other, that wherever con-
dltons arise which tend to impair pro-
gress and to produce contention and
discord, detrimental effect is felt
throughout the nation. Thus the race
problem concerns not only the welfare
OF the South but it demands the closest
attention and keenest legislation of our
government.
In the first place it is evident that
the prosperity of the South is absolute
iy more dependent upon negro labor
than upon the white race. No greater
Industrial or commercial shock could
the South receive today than that the
its borders. The black race composes
large part of the population of the
South and its numbers are fast increas-
ing. 1t is n race which Is to remain
with us and from its physical charac-
teristics must always live in the warm
climate of the South.
The question then is not how can
this race be blotted out. 1t is not how
can the South rid itself of the negro, but
rather how can he be raised to that
moral and Intellectual standard which
| will make him a fit Individual for the
| community, for the state and for the
nation. He must be taught the funda-
| mental principles of economy He
must be shown the evils of intemper-
ance and dishonesty We must i'm
press upon his mind that success and
| happiness in life are not attained
through ignorance, idleness and law
lessness, but through knowledge. thrift
| and character. These principles must
| be instilled into the race before we can
| hope for reconciliation or unity of feel
| ing between the negro and white man.
The burden of responsibility rests
| rot upon the negro but upon the white
man. He was transported to this
country not of his own wish but was
| brought here by the avaricious white
| man who saw in the slave a powerful
means of increasing his own wealth
| and possessions.
| For three centuries the negro was
urder the authority of cruel masters.
| Then came his freedom. Seven million
slaves were thrown upon themselves.
The future outlook for this race is a
| hopeful one. and before any criticism
| is passed let it be remembered that the
negro is only three centuries from d
state of African slavery.
! In every state we see churches and
schools which mark but the beginning
| of much needed moral and education
al system. and chiefest of all we see
| that noble organizer and teacher.
| Booker T. Washington, who has won
the sympathy of the leaders both of
| the. North and South, and is recognized
rs a man, inferior to none even by the
President of the United States. Some
| day the negro will win his equality.
| Opposing influences may delay his pro-
gress but they cannot prevent his ad-
| vancement.
So long as the white race tries to
prove the inferiority of the black race
so long will this racial struggle go on
with increasing intensity. The time
has come when it is the duty of both
| North ana South to cast off all feeling
| Of inherited prejudice and cooperate
in an earnest endeaVOr to raise the
black race to the position of usefulness
and honor to which it is fairly entitled.
After Halls Orchestra had played one
of its best selections. good article on
college Education and Business. was
delivered by Edward Burton Winslow. of
, Saco. Mr. Winslow handled his subject
| in such way that every one was i'm
pressed with the Importance of a college
| education. and a college training.
Mr.. Winslow said in part:
An American youth, who is looking for
| ward to n business career and has finished
an ordinary high grammar school
! course stands face to face with an inter-
estirg and important problem. Shall L
| go into business Mt once or shall | go to
some other school n while longer and trust
to the benefits of the training there to
make up for the greater practical know
ledge which | might get in the same
number of years in the department store,
factory or bank?
The proposition that I wish to support
is that the graduate of the American
college, other things being equal. Is best
fitted to carry on the business interest OF
| the United States. l do not wish to dis
| cuss the general advantages of college
course, these advantages in the form OF
making desirable friendships, of promot-
ing the high type of the gentleman. in
| spiring one to nobler service for society
| and the state no one seeks to deprecIate
They are great and even were there no
! other results they would make the col
lere course worth while to most men.
The college man in business Is worth
more than the same man would be with
! out a college education. A college train
ing teaches one to go to work at any tasR
with system and method. He learns how
to use his brains to better advantage
than one who has not had that tram
ing.
thinking represents habits of discrimi'
nation. comparison, concentration.
course in education promotes such think
ing better than course in business
For the man trained in business OF one
kind is not fitted to take up business OF