The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-25
JAMES WEATHERLY
ON NEGRO PROBLEM
Scholarly Address Made Before
University Alumni
IS A PERILOUS QUESTION
Is the Negro Race Advancing2
Homoeeneity In the States Pop
uIatlon Pointed out-solu-
tlon Is Difficult One.

THE Negro Problem was the sub
jeet of the address made by James
Weatherly of Birmingham at the annual
commencement of the University of Ala
bama. Inasmuch as the address awak-
ened a great deal of interest in those
who heard 1t, it is printed here in order
that it may be read by a larger audi
ence
Mr.. Weatherly said:
MIR. President, Gentlemen of the So
cety of the Alumni, Ladies and Cen
tlemen:
Il acknowledge frankly my pleasure in
being accorded the high honor of ad-
dressing you on this occasion. In the
twenty-six years that have flown since
became a member of this honorable So
ciety only three times have l been per-
mitted to escape the clutches of the law
to take part in these anniversary celebra-
lions, and on one of those visits, about
seventeen years ago 1 had the honor of
addressing the society-an event which
Is perhaps remembered and memorable
only within the area of my personal con-
seriousness. But l remember it well and
recall the event with pleasure. 1t is good
to meet old friends; to drink the brow
mixed by time out of the memories Of
the past; to be in the atmosphere that
clings about ones alma mater, and to
feel the subduing peace which at the
close of each scholastic year broods upon
this scene and Gains the appreciative
soul as a benediction of heaven.
Retrospection.
1T is pleasant to form new attach
ments to make new acquain .lncesh!ps
to extend the horizon of ones SYM a.
thies and interests in ones fellows, 10
receive the hearty greetings OF kind
ly, courteous and hospitable people;
and last but not least, to watch these
hopeful. buoyant, happy young folks, Who
meet and mingle here so merrily, md with
light laughter nimbly smite the harp of
love.
But as l speak I feel a SOLDERING sense
of responsibility in the discharge of my
duty on this occasion. As | grow older
the more the conviction grows witinn me
that mere oratory is but q Utilization of
the fancy, and that when man is called
on by a body such as this, to address
an audience such as this, he should use
his best endeavor to convey q message.
I'VE gather here to celebrate a recur-
institution of learning, to mark its
growth, and its widening influence for
good. We meet here as Alabamans not
alone to do honor to one of Alabama 8
noblest institutions, but as well to re-
cord our interest in all that concerns
Alabama. As members of the society of the
alumni of this institution we are also
members of that larger society of Ala
bamians whose inheritance is the steward
ship of this good old state-a stewardship
which must ever be concerned with the
administration of its affairs the solving
of its problems and the promotion OF
its welfare. As Alabamians we own the
soil dedicated to our uses and the uses
of our posterity; as owners we are
charged with the trusts incident to owner
ship. Here are the graves of our an
cestral dead; here our homes are plant
ed; here we do the tasks that win our
daily bread, incur the griefs that wiring
our souls and reap the joys that sweeten
life Here are our kindred and friends