The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-24

where; so that it is the part of wis
dom for all who wish the prosperity
Of the south to help the negro to
become in the highest degree useful to
himself and therefore to the COM
munity in which he lives. The south
has always depended and now depends
chiefly upon her native population for
her work. Therefore in view of the
scarcity not only of common labor, J
but of skilled labor, it becomes dOubly
important to train every available
man to be of the utmost use, by de-
veIoping his intelligence, his skill and
his capacity for conscientious effort.
Hence the work of the Tuskegee nor
NAL and industrial institute is a mat
ter of the highest Importance to both
the white man and the black man,
and we'll worth the effort of both races
alike in the south and in the north
Your fifteen hundred students are not
only being educated in head and heart
but also trained to industrial efficiency,
for from the beginning Tuskegee has
placed an emphasis upon the training
of men and women in agriculture,
mechanics and household duties.
Training in these three fundamental
directions does not embrace all that
the negro or any other race need, but
it does cover IN a very large degree
the field in which the negro can at
present do most for himself and be
most helpful to his white neighbors.
Good Thing for All.
EVERY black man who leaves this
institute if better able to do mechan-
ical or industrial work adds by so
much to the wealth of the whole COM
munity and benefits all the people in
the community. The professional and
mercantile avenues to success are
overcrOwded for the present the best
chance of success awaits the intel
ligent worker at some mechanical
trade or on a farm for this man will
aI7 aaE7iar-n ST1f7 al
dependence. am pleased, but not
in the least surprised, to learn that
many among the men and women
trained at Tuskegee find immediate
employment as leaders and workers
among their own people and that
their services are generally sought by
white people for various kinds of in
dustrial work, the demand being
much greater than the supply.
Viewed from any angle, ignorance
is the cOstliest crop that can be raised
in any part of this union. Every dol
lar put into the education of either
white man or black man, in head. in
hands and in heart yields rich divi-
dends to the entire community. Mere
ly from the economic standpoint it is
of the utmost consequence to all our
citizens that institutions such as this
at TuSkegee should be a success. But
there are other and even higher rea-
sens that entitle it to our support, In
the interest of humanity, of justice
and OF self protection every white
man in America, no matter where he
lives. should try to help the negro to
help himself
ct is in the interest and great pro-
lection of the white man to see that
the negro is educated
The White Mans Duty.
cit is not only the duty of the white
man but it is to his interest to see
that the negro is protected in property,
in life and in all his legal rights. Every
time a law is broken, every individual
has the moral tone of his life lowered.
laWlessness in the United States is not
confined to any one section; lynching
is not confined to any one section. and
there is perhaps no body Of American
the entire American people as the
public men. the publicists the clergy
men the countless thousands of high
minded private citizens against law
lessness in all its forms and especially
against lynching. L very earnestly
hope that their example 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,
these men not merely serve a useful
purpose in doing the task to which
they set themselves but give a lift to
the cause of good citizenship through
out the union.
II heartily appreciate what you
have done at Tuskegee and I am sure
you Will not grudge my saying that it
could not possibly have been done save
for the loyal support you have re-
ceived from white people; for during
the twenty-five years of effort to edu-
cate the black man here in the midst
of 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
white men of TUskegee for what they
have done.
"And right here let me say that if
in any community misunderstanding
between 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 rep
resentatiyes Of the wise, decent. cool
headed men among the whites and
the wise, decent, cooI-headed colored
men, Such a conference will always
tend to bring about a better under
standing and will be a great help all
around.
The Negroes Part.
Hitherto I have spoken chiefly of
the obligations existing on the part of
/ the white man; now let me remind
| you, on the other hand that no help
/ can permanently avail you save as
/ you yourself develop capacity for
4 seiI-help- You young cOlOred men
and women educated at Tuskegee
must by precept and example lead
/ your fellows toward sober, industrious,
/ laW-abiding lives. You are in honor
/ bound to Join hands IN ravor of law
/ and order and to war against all
/ crime, and especially against crime by
/ men of your own race; Tor the heav-
/ lest wrong done by the criminal is
1 the wrong to his own race. You must
/ teach the people of your race thai
/ they must scrupulously observe any
/ contract into which they in good faith
| enter, no matter whether it is hard
to keep or not. If you save money
| secure home and lead clean, decent
modest lives, you will win the respect