Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-05-03
HAMPTON NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENTS Continued.

turthcring the interests of the whole
South, repent that 1t Is an occasion
or the Sreatest encouragement and
satisfaction. When we consider ull
the trials through which the South
has passed during the last dozen years,
the wonder is that we have accom-
plished SO much rather than that we
have accomplished SO little. There
have been those who for years have
predicted war in the South between
the races, but no such war has taken
place, and. in my opinion. is not likely
to occur, but we are united In our eff.
tort to make war upon ignorance,
crime and immortality.
Tribute to Fitzhugh Lee.
THE black citizens of Virginia, and
Oh the South, do not forget that at this
hour one of the noble, anu one Of the
most generous of Virginia's sons has
recently been taken away by death.
General FitZhugh Lee was type Of
the Southern man who was generous
anu just To the negro, and In whom
my race had the greatest faith.
We hope that the future generation
Will produce scores Of other Virginians
OF his kind In proportion as such men
are produced. in the same proportion
VIII peace and good will he main
tanned between the races.
The people OF this country must he
patient with my race while il is pass
ing through the transition period. The
wonder is that it has been so level
headed AMI SO sef-controlled through
all Of the various stages through
which il has been passing during the
last three or four decades
With Matters in Hand.
III is with my race as with an indi-
vldual, the best place 10 begin the eff
Tort To make IL stronger and more use
ilil is right where the race is-to begin
with the matters in hand. For exam
pie, we have control in very large
measure OF all the domestic, agricuI.
! tural and mechanical work in the
South; there is no disgrace i'm being a
| cook. for example, hut there Is Il dis.
grace in being poor cook. Since this
lslranch oil industry is likely TO he in
our hands for years to come the logical
and sensible policy for us to pursue is
to show to the world that we can be-
come the most intelligent, skilled and
conscientious cooks that exist. This
does not mean that all negroes must
become cooks, but il does mean that
IL We learn to do one thing well it will
prove stepping stone for higher ana
more Important occupations
The leaders who 20 ont from iIamn
/, ton should teach our people to become
progressive and reliable in whatever
/, work we undertake. In some parts of
the country very much fear that we
are getting the reputation OF being so
unreliable In matters OF labor that em-
ployers cannot depend upon MS for con
tinuous and progressive service
War Upon Idle Element.
Wherever this is true our ministers
and teachers should see that public
sentiment is put in motion that will
bring about the change. In this con
nection we should make continual war
Upon that idle clement Of our race, es-
pecially in large citles class whose
conduct too often dsgraces the com
, munity and the race.
81 very much wish that we could get
back 10 the old days in the South when
the hest white men and white women
taught negro Sunday schools; where
they came into closer contact with the
negro i'll an effort 10 improve his NOR.
ais and religious life. believe the
time is coming when the best white
people of the South will feel and see
that 1t il; as much n part of their duty
To help in the elevation Of the negro
who is right at their doors. as to help
In the elevation of the heather in
China or Africa.
Progress Of Black Man.
Il wish further that the white peo-
pie of this country would place them
selves in n position to see more of the
progress that the black man Is making
| wish moro might take the time and
trouble to see the negro homes that
are being purchased, schools that are
being taught, the churches that are be-
ing built, and the farms and stores and
places of indutry that are being operat.
ed by our people. tg.
One of the objections urged against
the universal education of our people
in some quarters. is to the effect that
IF all the negroes are educated no one
will be left to perform mental services
In this connection let me ask this
question:: Is II not trtle that wherever
one finds the highest degree of ntelli
gence, without exception, does he not
there find the most satisfactory serv.
ice, whether OF hand. head or heart?
"A commonwealth can afford tC
have ignorant slaves and exist, but
never ignorant freemen and be safe
1t is not, ns a rule, the educated mai
or woman of my race who is guilty o..
crime, or who is charged with crime
1t is the one who has never had the
great American chance.
Cannot Lynch Ignorance.
Our country will not be safe so long
as 1t carries such a load of ignorance.
We have attempted for number of
years to stop crime by lynching, but
there are some conditions which can,
not be lynched away. One ! cannot
lynch disease, Ignorance or idleness !;
these conditions can only be cured by