New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-07
NEGRO IRyRTTrOVS

Probably the most significant and typical
Gathering Of the negro race Is the annual con-
ference held AZ TuskeCee. II represents the
average common sense and The prevailing ambl-
zion Of the race, and the detailed accounts given
~ the recent meeting in the Southern papers
offer most gratifying evidence Of a widespread
desire for worthy achievement The record of
the struggles Of these negroes. mostly farmers.
70 buy land. educate their children TO be work.
ers. put money In the bank and raise themselves
and their nechbors 10 a higher plane Of moral
snd industrial life must dissrm every white
critic who sees IN negro education only another
name for negro worthleSsness and idleness. and
fn negro aspiration only another name for negro
'impudence" and social pretension From all
over The South gathered earnest men and
women, not 10 discuss politics. not TO pass reso-
lutions about their wrongs but 10 advise one
another about buying land cultirating II well.
building churches and schools, and raising the
standard ~ morality among the negroes There
was there spirit OF whining or recrimination.
No thought Of getting on except by deserving 10
get or, no ambition for place except the place
everywhere due In all times and among all peo-
pies 70 honest successful, sef-respecting Indus
try The morals OF the different communities
were frankly discussed, and members OF tho
conference cid not hesitate 10 point out their
own shortcomings. Man after man reported new
purchases OF land IN his nelEhbOrhOOd since last
year. A typical account OF progress was that
OF Thomas Ruiiin a lame man. who Was twenty
years old OF emancipation. lie said:
I am uneducated. but I know how 70 farm ana
make living In 1874 had nothing. bought
a yoke Of oxen and mule but IA March the
mule died. Then ] got a yoke OF calves and
that year i made nine bales of cotton. For
year I ate water and bread. Ny wife said she
was going 20 leave me n didn't get some meat
She went 20 her fathers. and he would give her
g piece Of meat. and she would come back home
7 sold my nine bales OF cotton. and people were
willing 20 help me I generally raise now from
$50 10 200 bales OF cotton a year. j have j 300
acres o. land. Some OF II cost me Ss0 an acre
some of n less than SIG. I bought the Mace
where now live FOR 81 600 I owe 5000 on n
] charge from l2ia 20 u per cent for money that
lend. ] pay Sll5 taxes. 7 want Ttskegee
81 my community. ] say where there IS a VIII
there Is a way. / have a store OF nv own ana
lie. ny
II does not make much difference whether
such man can write or not Whatever his
color. the person with that determination Is
going 70 succeed and lay the foundation Of n
family VINO viii be respected IN their com,
rlunity. The resolutions ndopted bv the coD
ference were entirely conservative and practical
m line with the discussions of those in attend
ance- High Christian character was c,t,,,,,oa
upon the people. and care unon the mart az min.
ts'ers and teachers 70 conform 20 the bigbcs.
standards Of right. A declaration was Dosso1
~ fnVor 81 harmony and mutual conaaenc. hs-
tween the races and the whites were urged TO