The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-11-02

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we'll OF the entire American people as
the public men, the publicists, the
clergymen, the countless thousands
OF high-minded private citizens who
have done such heroic work in the
South in arousing public opinion
against lawlessness in all it's forms,
and especially against lynching. L
very earnestly hope that their ex-
ample will count in the North as we'll
as in the South, for there are Just as
great evils to be warred against in
one region of our country as in
another, though they are not in all
places the same evils. And when
any body of.men in any community
stands bravely for what is right.
those men not merely serve a useful
purpose in doing the particular task
to which they set themselves, but
give q lift to the cause of good citi-
zenship throughout the Union. |
heartily appreciate what you have
done at Tuskegee; and l am sure
you will not grudge my saying that
it could not possibly have been done
save for the loyal support you have
received from the white people round
about; for during the 25 years of
effort to educate the black man here
in the midst OF a white community
of intelligence and culture, there has
never been an outbreak between the
races or any difficulty of any kind
All honor is due to the white men of
Alabama, to the white men of Tuske-
gee for what they have done. And
| right here, let me say that if III any
community Il misunderstanding be-
tween the races arises, over any mat
ter, infinitely the best way out is to
have a prompt, frank and full con-
ference and consultation between
representatives of the wise, decent,
cool-headed mel among the whites
and the wise, decent, cool-headed
cOlOred men. Such a conference will
always tend to bring about a better
understanding, and will be a great
help all around.
Hitherto have spoken chiefly of
the obligations existing on the part
OF the white man. Now let you remem-
Der on the other hand that no help can
permanently avail you save as you
yourselves develop capacity for self
help. You young colored men and
women educated at Tuskegee must
by precept and example lead your
fellows toward sober and industri-
Gus, law abiding lives.
You are in honor bound to ioin
hands in favor of law and order and
to war against all crime by men of
your own race; for the heaviest
wrong done by the criminal is the
wrong to his own race. You must
teach the people of your race that they
must scrupuously observe any con
tract in which they in good faith en-
ter, no matter whether it is hard to
keep or not. Hyou save money, Sc
cure homes, become taxpayers and
lead clean, decent, modest lives, you
Will win the respect of your neigh
bors OF both races Let each man
strive to excel his fellows only by
rendering substantial service to the
community in which he lives. The
colored people have many difficulties
to pass through, but these difficulties
will be surmounted if only the policy
OF reason and common sense is pur-
sued. You have made real and great
progress. According to the census
the colored people of this country
own and pay taxes upon something
like three hundred million dollars
worth OF property, and have blotted
out over fifty per cent Of their litter
acy.. What you have done in the
past is an indication of what you
will be able to accomplish in the fu-
ture under wise leadership. Moral
and industrial education is what is
most needed, in order that this pro-
gress may continue. The race can
not expect to get everything at once
1t must learn to wait and bide it's
time; to prove itself worthy by show
ing it's possession of perseverance, of
thrift, OF self control The destiny of
the race is chiefly in it's own hands,
and must be worked out patiently
and persistently along these lines
Remember also that the white man
who can be of most use to the color
ed man is that colOred mans neigh
Dor. 1t is the Southern people them
selves who must and can solve the
difficulties that exist in the South; Of
course what man in the South lies in
his steady, hope Of advancement for
the cOlored commOnsense effort to
improve his moral and material con-
dition and to work in harmony with
the white man in upbuilding the
commonwealth. The future of the
South now depends upon the people
of both races living up to the spirit
and letter of the laws of their several
States and working out the destinies
of both races, not as races, but as
law abiding American citizens.