The National tribune., 1906-09-06
coon ADVICE TO THE NEGRO.

Booker T. Washington continues to
present himself to the public as far the
soundest and safest leader of the grea.
negro population of the United States.
The National Negro Business League
met at Atlanta, Aug. 20, in its seventh
annual convention, with more than
1000 negroes present from all parts of
the country. Speeches of welcome We're
made by the mayor of Atlanta and Sam
D. Jones. President of the Chamber of
Commerce. Mr.. Washington's address
was model one, and summed up sensi-
bly, the whole situation and prospects
He told his audience that their best,
surest and only hope was in making
themselves good. enterprising. thrifty
citizens, in accommodating property and
in doing their utmost to repress crime
and disorder among their own people.
They would come to the front and re-
ceive recognition and respect precisely
in proportion as they did useful work
and secured the confidence of their fell
low-citizens. The South was far the
best place for the negroes in every way.
and they could achieve a success there
greater than elsewhere. He said:
Right here in Georgia we have
abundant evidence that the negro is
learning this lesson at rapid rate. 1t
Is safe to say that the negro in Georgia
owns at least $20,00O.0O0 worth of tax
able property and that our people in
almost equal progress. Within the past
I have inqnpcfad and afndiad the
conditions and progress Of our people
in the Northern and Western States.
and 1 have no hesitation in reaffirming
my opinion that the Southern States
offer the best permanent abode for the
masses of our people.
'In connection with our future here
in the South, I do not share the fear
that immigration will retard or prevent
our progress. Our salvation is to be
found not in our ability to keep an
other race out OF our territory, but in
our learning to get as much out of the
soil. out of our occupations or business
as any other race can get out of theirs.
There Is much that the brave. in
telligent. patriotic white man of Amer
lea can do for US: there Is much we
can do for ourselves. The executive
authorities should see that every law is
enforced. regardless of race or color:
that the weak are protected against In
justice from the strong. We have ex-
amples in several Southern States that
this is being done in an encouraging
degree"
Mr.. Washington announced one great
truth which other races-the Jews, the
Russians. etc.-may take to heart with
equal profit:
I'VE believe that while the world
may pity crying, whining race. 1t sell
dom 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 constructive progress
be the dominant note among US in
every section Of America"
He reminded his hearers that their
race had many responsibilities, and one
Of the greatest OF these was to get rid
Of the criminal negro wherever possi-
ble. The criminal negro was far the
most dangerous enemy Of his race, and
his misdeeds provoked the greatest con-
Germ for the colored peoples welfare.
The crime of lynching should be strong
ly frowned upon. but all perpetrators
should be handed over to justice, and
there should be one law alike for white
and black.