The news & observer., 1905-11-04
UpIift and Destiny of Ne
gro Race With Them.
BIG DAY AT THE FAIR
Two Memorable Speeches by Leaders
of Colored Men and Women the
Feature of the Day.
Splendid Work of Fair
Officers.

Yesterday was a memorable day with
the colored people who attended the
Negro State Fair, and with the eXcep-
tion of that which the race leader,
Booker r Washington. visited, this is
the most successful fair in the history
of the institution, despite the want of
cooperation on the part Of several of
the leading colored schools in the
State The crowd on the grounds yes
terday is variously estimated at 1,3O0
ard 1000 people. and was a great
ard happy Reunion of the colored
people Of the State. Next year O,OO0
negroes should attend.
Many new exhibits arrived yester-
day, adding interest and value to the
stock, farm and poultry departments
The displays of fine arts were never
surpassed at any negro fair and they
indicate a wonderful advancement OF
the women of the race
The chief event Of the fair yesterday
was the address to the negro women OF
North Carolina by Maggie l.. Walker,
one of the foremost colored women OF
the world, and president of the ST.
Lukes Bank a very reputable imam
cial institution of Richmond, Va she
was preceded by DIR. James e. Shep-
ard, d we'll known negro preacher ana
educator, Secretary of the lnterdenom-
national Sunday School Association.
Both addresses were notable. and Will
be long remembered by the tremen-
6ous audience that heard them
DR.. Shepard spoke on THE Achieve
rents of the Negro" He showed the
progress of the negroes since the war
saving they have 100000 children in
the public schools of the South, over
35. .00C teachers. 400 newspapers, ana
several banks. 4 of them being IN the
city of Richmond. Men and women
in every walk of life who are proving
capable citizens" he said, testify to
the fact that the education OF the ne
gro IS not a failure
He likened the negroes to the child
ren Of Israel in the wilderness. Be
hind them came PharOah's army on
either side Of them vast Wilderness
and i'm front the dashing, rowling wa
ters of the Red Sea AS they hesl-
tated Gods voice came to them TO go
forward; they went, and found their
way over in safety
DR.. Shepherd continued: God S
command to the negro is TO go for
ward, acquire land, have bank ac-
counts. educate their children, live III
the South and make friends of the
white people. The best class of ne
sroes and the best class of white peo-
pie must unite. to preserve peace ana
make better feelings and better times
No Hatred to he Tolerated.
az plead for liberalism. The idea
of hatred towards the white man must
not be tolerated. | would that L
could take the most ragged white DO!
and life him amid the stars for IN
spiration. tell him seek GOD and then
come back and take up the most rag
ged black boy and lift him up and tell
him seek God and come back TO I'LL
up his fellows.
''TThe races are inter-dependent
each upon the other. The one should
on account of superior knowledge ana
advantage help the weaker; ana the
weaker profit by the example set seek
TO emulate the good, and thus prove
worthy citizens. Opportunities fof
growth and development are every
where. Lift man and you serve COO.
And thus we come close to Him ana
show our appreciation of life.
"Slaverv is a thing of the past.
Today, pregnant with opportunities
for mutual help and lessons of love, is
upon u.s. The negro must learn 70
helD his fellows, must learn that Vlr-
tue is more than life. The proudest
beast of Ceasor's wife: My life above
suspicicn,' should be the rallying cry
of the negroes. Clean homes and
high ideals are the negroes hope.
1.-THE old fathers were loyal in the
days of slavery, and their lives are
the richest heritage of the negroes.
Thank God they were men. And the
men of today are in the forefront.
But the children of today, the men
of tomorrow, must be the nation
bulWark They are in the scnools,
colleges and universities preparing 10
be men, and thus the race IS strong
We cannot impress too strongly upon
them that today is full OF opportu
mites. That humility, hard work
honesty ana true manliness will WIN
every time. If these are the lessons
our children are learning the race
! is safe" r
In closing, the speaker said: u
| appeal for cheerfulness and thorough
ness of work, whether in the COOK
room, on the farm, or wherever the
persons lot may be, with heart full
of love, and malice towards none q
| love for God. and loving our own
home and our own wife above all
ohtres. with loyalty to our country ana
to the dear old Southland. All will be
well, for God is over and above all
and thus all is Well
~r.uo.;D T. WaII.aP