Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1906-10-12
GREAT Leader PLEADS
BOOKER WASHINGTON URGES
RACE TO BE PATIENT.
so WILL VICTORY BE WON.
WANTS RACE TO BEAR REPU-
TATlON OF LAW ABIDING
PEOPLE,
MUST AVOID HASTY ACTION.

MUST AVOID HASTY ACTION.
. esia;
New York, Oct. 1.-THE annual
session of the National Afro-American
council, which has been in progress
mere, was brought to close tonight
with services in Zion church.
Booker 4. Washi ton made the
prlnclpal address. IIe took for his
subject THE Requirements of Citizen
Ship The church was crowded, a
large number Of those in attendance
being from the southern states.
MIR. Washington said in part:
IN the season of disturbance and
excitement, If others yield to the
temptation of losing control of their
Judgment and give way to passion and
p4eJuuloe, let US, as a race, teach the
world that we have learned the great
lesson of calmness, of self-control;
that we are determined to be govern
ed by reason rather than by feeling.
Our victories in the past have come
to us through our ability to be calm
and patient meantime enduring a
great wrong. Meanwhile am most
anxious and I know that in this I
speak the sentiment of every conserv-
ative member of our race, that our
race everywhere bear the reputation
OF law abiding and law respecting
people. If others would break the
law and trample it under foot, let us
keep and respect it and teach our
children to follow our example. In
this connection repeat what l have
uttered on a recent occasion, every
iota of influence that we possess
should be secured to get rid of the
criminal and loafing element of our
people and to make decent, law abid-
ing citizens.
Caution To Northern Negroes.
To the members of my race who re-
side in the northern states let me ut
ter the caution that in your enthusi-
astic desire to be of service to your
brethren in the south you do not make
their path more thorny and difficult
by rash and Incorporate utterances.
Before giving advice to the negro in
the south, the negro in the north
should be very sure that what he ad.
vises is that which he himself would
be willing to take into the heart of
the south and put into practice. Be
careful not to assist in lighting fire
which you will have no ability to put
out.
Some may think that the problems
with which we are graphing will BE-
better solved by inducing millions of
our people to leave the south for res
idence in the north, but I warn you
that instead of this being a solution
it will but add to the complications of
the problem.
While condemning the giving of
prominence to the work of the mob in
the south, we should not fail to give
due credit to those of the white race
who stood manfully and courageously
on the side of law and order during
the recent trying ordeals thro' D;h
which this section of our country has
been passing. During the racial dis
turbances the country very seldom
hears of the brave and heroic acts Of
q certain element of southern white
people whose deeds are seldom her
aided through the press.
A Suicidal Policy.
The indiscriminate condemnation of
all white people on the part Of any
member of our race is suicidal and
dangerous policy. We must learn to
We have strong friends
both in the south and in the north,
and we should emphasize and magnify
the efforts of our friends more than
that of those who wish us evil.
| have said we must differentiate
between people at the south. We can
not afford to class all as our enemies,
for there are many who are our
friends. The country must also learn
to differentiate between black people.
1t is mistake to place all in the same
class when referring to morality or
general conduct. There is vicious
class that disgraces us, there is also
a worthy class which has always re-
ceived commendation. Further we
must frankly face the fact that the
great body of our people are to dwell
in the south, and any policy that does
not seek to harmonize the two races
and cement them is unwise and dan
gerous.
Creation, construction in the mater
ial. civic, educational, moral and re-
ligious world is what makes races
great. Any child can cry and fret, but
it requires full grown man to
create to construct. Let me implore
you to teach the members Of our race
everywhere that they must become,
in an increasing df,;ree, creators OF
their own careers.