The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-02

color of his skin that regulates the de-
mand and price of his services.
This in brief is favorable view of the
conditions by which we are surrounded and
which greatly surpass those of the peas
antry of Europe; constitute the founda-
ton upon which the masses of our people
must depend for subsistence and success.
The future of our people demands that
we should use these opportunities wisely
and not allow them by neglect or indu;g
ence to pass to other and foreign hands.
Our future demands that instead of trying
to get above honest toll. that We elevate
and dignity labor by the amount of brains
and fidelity we put in it to increase its
efficiency and its worth We need to place
a higher estimate upon our ekillful me
chanies and our successful farmers.
GAS our white neighbors are turning
more seriously to engage in the substantial
things Of this life, as they are giving
more and more attention to teaching their
children agriculture, the trades and along
the lines of technical education, if you
love your children, il you love your race,
you must educate your children in the
way that will best enable them to hold
their present vacations and increase our
future opportunities.
'Brooding upon universities but creates
dependency, stine ambition and drive
from US the leaders of enterprise, of
thought and Of commerce, for these are
looking to employ workers and not grumb-
lers. Many Of us are placing an incor-
rect application upon that inspiring sen
timent that there is room at the top.
The reason there is always SO much room
at the top of the ladder OF life, is so
many Of us sand on the ground gazing
at the topmost rounds but never see nor
grasp the bottom rounds that are with
in our reach. We are disposed to make
our race rather top-heavy. Too many
over-ambitiou3 leaders and poorly pre-
pared professional men discredit them
selves and the race, who as farmers or
mechanics could live a prosperous life and
become important indust al factors in
our respective communities. There is
more satisfaction to the individual and
more honor to the race on account of one
happy and prosperous farmer or mechan-
ic than do2eIi incompetent preachers,
teachers or professional men.
"Whle there is room at the top, we
need to remember in educating our child
rem that room is at the top for the profess
sional man, but there is room all along
the ladder of life for good farmers, car
penters. or cooks.
Young men from the Agricultural and
Mechanical College of Greensboro with
but little experience, but having secured
an ordinary proficiency in some trade,
have been able to secure work at their
trades paying them from ST to s. per day
almost Immediately after graduation. We
have graduates from our school making
from $50 to $3.50 per MONTH Had these
young men taken a professional course it
is doubtful if a lifetime experience would
ever have enabled them to command such
prices. / am sure they could not have
done so well along professional lines. /
do not mean by what l have said to dis
parage or disapprove of professional as
piration. / am only trying to let you see
that there are other and surer fields of
labor where just as much honor and great
er prosperity and happiness can be Sc
cured than can be won in the professional
fields; that agriculture and the trades are
calling the larger numbers and Offering
surer rewards. / am trying to show you
that there will be always room at the
top which We can never fill if We persist
TO neglect the rounds which are within
our reach"