The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-16
Fri day Sept. is. 1904.
HIS USEFULNESS IMPAIRED?

The press dispatches several days.
ago gave an account of a dinner given
to Booker II. Washington by Mr.. Alex
ander Sedgwick, a New York million
aire. Among those present were a
bishop of the Episcopal church, another
clergyman of note. the first secretary
OF the German legation at Washington
and other persons OF note. One of
those present in speaking of the affair
said that they had all enjoyed the OPP
portunity of meeting Washington and
had found him a "brany, dignified and
self-possessed gentleman" The Wash
ington Post. taking his as its text, has
h following to say under the above
caption regarding the work of Wash
ington and the danger that conduct of
this kind on his part will bring him into
d~isfavor with the people of both races
and, therefore, destroy his usefulness:
AS we see the matter, h question Is
not whether Professor Washington is a
gentleman" brainy, dignified, self-pos-
sessed, or otherwise, but whether the
important work in which he is engaged
will be hindered or promoted by his ad-
mission to the society OF the northern
m~illionaires. distinguished clergymen.
and titled foreigners. He may or may
not be an ornament to New England
drawing rooms, and a welcome associate
on equal terms of their owners and
f~reQuenters; that is neither here nor
there. The fact is that he conducts an
educational institution at the south
Tuskegee. Ala.-and that his success
depends to a very great extent, if not
enlargement, and the practical coop
Grafton of both races in that part of
the country. If he loses the respec
and confidence, of the governing class
in Alabama. his college will expire
of hamilton. If he f~orfeits the good
will of the negroes. his usefulness is AZ
an end. Should the state withdraw its
c~ountenance. or should the blacks with
draw their patronage, Booker Washing
toms occupation, SO far at least as con-
Germs the field of Alabama, will be gone
And such is the problem which man.
newspapers that wish Booker Washing
ton well, and desire the elevation of hi:
race. are now considering with evident
sOlicitude and apprehension.
The south needs. and no one can truly
deny that it has heretofore welcomed
and encouraged, such teachers anC
workers among the negroes as Booker
Washington. That enlightened anC
phllanthropic men at the north have
envelOped him in grateful appreciation
is 4 fact of record. But Will these lux
urious junketings promote him in thu
respect of either race? Will they com
mend him to the whites of the south
or the negroes of either section? 1t /!
not SO very long since an assembling
OF Boston negroes was converted int
a RIO at the mention of his name. Pts
tolls and raZorS were drawn In a Mas
Sachusetts church. by black men pre-
tending to substance and responsibility
as a protest against the celebration o
Booker Washington as a benefactor o
his race. Does any one acquainted witt
the negro character imagine that tn,
colored people of the south will D.
drawn to him by reason of his socia
success amo the whites? Even put
ting the case in its most amiable form
and aSSuming-what we believe TO 81
the simple truth of the matter-tha
Mr.. Sedgwick and his friends consider
ed Booker Washington as an interest
ing specimen and had him there with
out the slightest idea of establishing
permanent social relation, are we just
fed in hoping that the incident vii
benefit him or add to his influence am
usefulness?
The fact is that Booker Washington
Is a rather ordinary looking mulatl'
OF undoubted aDllIy anu evident an
bition. He did not invent the educa
tional scheme OF which he has manage
to become the most conspicuous repre-
sentative. but simply initiated tn
scheme conceived long years before b!
General Armstrong, a white man, WIZ
put it in operation at Hampton. Va,
and has ever since conducted it witt
conspicuous success though withou
the smallest vociferation or parade
For such ideas and education as ne pos
sesses. he is indebted to General Arm
strong. He has created nothing. blaZe'
no new pathways OF c~iVlIizatlon. h
is not = pioneer, but a pupil. Whethe
these society triumphs will impair HI
usefulness we shall soon know. 70
our part, however, we have very llttl
doubt aS 70 tho final contamination,