The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-17
NEGRO BUSINESS MEN MEET.
ug,R HOOKER WASHINGTON;
LETTER FROM ROOSEVELT.

o,eulns session 81 tho National League
Ioiored Leader Urges Them 10 stay
In the south and DevOte Themselves
20 Work--Higgins Also Sends Letter.
Rocker T. Washington was the central
a,,,re Of last nights session Of the National
Espro business League. which II holding
"A sixth annual convention at the Palm
;arden, in East Nfty-eighth street. More
han 400 colored men aud women from oil
,ors Of the United States were In attend
nne bcsles large number OF negroes
rom this city
Mr. Warrington began his speech BY
,,g,ng the members OF the league not to
orret tho purpose Of their organization
nd be sdetracked on some unimportant
,.ttsr. lie told O story OF . oolored man
i had met who. at an advanced age. had
,.i,ber home, a bank account nor busi-
,.ss When Mr.. Washington asked him
INV he had none OF these things he said he
.d no time to think Of such matters-that
had spent his lHs trying to solve the race
broblem.
The best way TO solve the race problem
aid Mr.. Washington. is not to spend the
inc In abstract reflection, but for each
,an to solve his own problems. The
Iroaress Of the negro must be logical. and
must pay the price Of bis advancement.
Progress cannot DO had merely by attending
seetings and passing resolutions. The
oost potent claim the negro has to the
.pect and sympathy Of his white brothers
when no acts well In his own community.
bpe tangible accomplishment In construct
No effort will bring moro sympathy than
be recital Of thousand wrongs.
THE negro must look toward the rising
nm OF constructive effort and away from
Ia setting sun OF whining and complain
bo The world wants to bear not Of the
ouess but Of the health OF the negro.
there is no inspiration In following funeral
nd it Is up to the negro to say whether he
~ have funeral or . Tss SUIT 9So ..
bould stay in the South and keep what
Sey miss the substance. IF four millions
The eight millions Of negroes In the oom.
m were to be moved TO the North and West
id the speaker, Il believe We would have a
scs problem far moro dinioult than now
lists
Mr. washin gton was followed BY W. A.
ones Of Winston Salem, N. C., who dis
iason Of Cincin natl, Ohio. who talked
bout Business Development Among Neg
oes, and by o. @. Willard Of New York.
Fho told Of the Negro and the Domestic
htiorm were George Harvey, editor Of
Ne North American Rerie,r; W. D. Crlm.
collector Of the Port OF Charleston, 8. c.;
udge r. H. terrell Of Washing ton, D. c.;
ohm c. Dancy, Recorder OF Deeds Of
Washing ton, d. G.. and DR.. John r. Francis.
so Of Washin gton.
At the opening session Of the league
D the morning all ad lress of welcome was
elivered bv Acting Mayor Fomes.
Charles W. Anderson, Collector OF Internal
svenue Of the Fifth district, himself col
red man, on behalf of the loc al league.
Eecomed the visitors to 'the discovered
rurity of the Tenderloin. and the tele-
etivities OF New York in general. do
ct be discouraged" said Mr.. Anderson.
Not all men can sue coed, hut feel that you
ne going to be one Of those who do and you
ill make progress.
The following letters were read from
resident Roosevelt and Gov. Higgins:
oyster BAY. n. V, Aug. IL, 1905.
'MY DEAR Mr.. ScoTT--I W isb all success
the Naiiona Nero Business League.
Jour orr anization Is absolutely out OF
olitics, and in stimulating activity among
OUT people and working to increa se their
|hiciency in the industrial world 1t Is also
Ding far-reaching work in the. way OF
possibilities as citizens, and power to
beet these responsibilities. need hardly
BY that I put moral betterment above
PHYSICAL betterment. But it lie absolutely
impossible to do good work In promoting
be spiritual improvement Of any race
VI. 4 - natA al
Tell being, because this foundation neces.
kriy implies that the race has developed
be root qualities Of thrift. energy and bust
ess sense. 1t IL as true of race as OF an
Individual that. while outsiders can help to
certain degree. yet the real help must
| ome in the shape OF self-help.
.velopment among our ooIored fellow
tizens Of the very qualities for which
ou stand will mean more for the solution
the race problem than any philanthropio
forts merely from outside could possibly
Wishing you all success, am -
Sin cerely yours
THEODORE RoosEvBLr.'
MIR. Emmett j. Scott, corresponding Sec
s~ York. n. Y.
my DEAR SIR: am duly in receipt Of
our communication Of Aug. 4, together
nth copy Of report Of the fifth annual con-
ention Of your league. for which pray 90
opt my thanks Il will afford me great
Measure to examine the report at the earli-
st opportunity.
4 observe that your organization L. to
old It's next annual session at New York
w on the 10th, 18th and 18th Of this month:
VII you kindly convey to its officers and
Members the expression Of my best wishes
Or the success Of your meeting and for the
ntinued success Of the league in its chosen
eld? am. yours very sincerely,
FRANK w. HI0dINs.'
The rest OF the meeting was taken up by
hort recitals Of personal efforts and sue
esses by various delegates. Each man
old how he had succeeded in spite Of obsta-
Yes and how much had grown from little.
C. W, Anderson said: This Is really an
Experience meeting which DR.. Washington
slls In indulgence to the desire Of the
Pfothers to testify"
One very interesting feature Of the meet
egsa collection OF photographs In the base
snt of the Palm Garden. showing places
business owned by different colored men.
kmong them are cotton mills, newspaper
Establishments, funeral establishments, sur
yerlps drtir f0vit1rna hYink