Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1906-09-05

Atlanta, Ga., Spaclal.-Ine seVenth
annual session Of the National Negro
Business League, Of which Booker T.
Washington is president, opened here
with over a thousand negroes from
all parts of the country p1esept.
Speeches Of welcome were made ~
Mayor Pro TEN Harwell and Presi.
dent Sam D. Jones, of the chamber
OF commerce, which were responded
to by the more prominent negro
business men.
The meeting was called to order by
W. B. Matthews, president of the
local organization, who made the
opening address. The regular pro-
gramme of the convention was then
taken up and number Of speeches
on various industries discussed by
negro business naen. The sessions
will continue three days.
The principal feature Of the night
session was the annual address Of
the president Of the organization,
Booker 7. Washington.
After explaining the objects Of the
National Negro Business League,
Booker T. Washington, in his annual
address as president Of the league,
said in part:
''Ws believe that while the world
may pity crying, whining race, 1t
seldom respects it. We believe that
the influence of one great success In
really accomplishing something that
the world respects will go farther in
promoting our interests. Let con-
structive progress be the dominant
note among us in every section Of
America.
South Negro's Best Home.
"Right here in Georgia we have
abundant evidence that the negro is
learning this lesson at rapid rate.
It is safe to say that the negro in
Georgia owns at least $2O,000,O00
worth Of taxable property and that
our people in other sections Of the
South have made almost equal
progress. Within the past year /
have inspected and studied tthe con-
litions and prngress of our people in
the Northern and Western States,
and l have no hesitation in reafArm-
ing my opinion that the Southern
States offer the best permanent abode
for the masses Of onr people.
"There is much that tie brave, in
! telligent, patriotic white men Of
America can do for us; there is much
we can do for ourselves. The execu-
tive authorities should Sc that every
law is enforced, regardless of race
or color; that the weak are protected
against injustice from the strong.
We have examples in several South.
ern States that this is being done in
an encouraging degree.
Must Get Rid of Criminals.
On the negro's part we have
duty. Our leaders should see to II
that the criminal negro is got rid Of
whenever possible. Making all al
lowance for mistakes, injustice and
the influence Of racial pride, / have
no hesitation in saying that one Of
the elements in our present situa-
tion that gives me most concern is
the large number of crimes that are
being committed by members of oul
race. The negro is committing too
much crime, North and South. The
crime of lynching everywhere and at
all times should be condemned and
those who commit crime of any ma
, ture should be condemned. Our
Southland today has no greater
enemy to business progress than
lynchers and those who provoke
lvnnhine.
"We cannot be too frank or too
strong in discussing the harm that
the committing of crime is doing our
race. Let Us stand up straight and
speak out and act in no uncertain
terms in this direction. Let us do
our part, and then let us call on the
whites to do their part.
Fright here in the South there are
more things upon which the races
agree than upon which they disagree.
There is no section of the South
where the negro farmer, mechanic,
merchant and banker cannot find en-
couragement, opportunity and pros
perity. In this respect let us not
overlook the fact that many similar
opportunities are at our door,