Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-06
Text of Address.


for several blocks from the hall as the
5000 voices were lifted in the refrain.
Text of Address.
The address follows:
THE Negro Young Peoples Educational
and Christian Congress- assembled in it's
second quadrennial session. presents to the
American public the following appeal and
declaration of principles:
We wish to acknowledge the guidance
of an all wise Providence, which for the
second time brings together the various
reilgious denominations among us in the
spirit OF Christian fellowship to deliberate
Tor the common good of the race and for
the spread of the cause of righteousness.
We glory in the prosperity of our COM
mon country and In the leading part it
mas taken to bring about peace and Chris
tan amity among the nations of the earth.
we rejoice in the higher standard of
civic righteouness which is being brought
10 bear upon some of our domestic prob
lens, as seen in the crusade against mu-
nlcipal corruption and the Just restrictions
placed upon corporate greed and rapacity.
Wish Harmonious Adjustment
We express the hope that this aroused
public conscience may be directed to
Americas most troublesome and complex
problem-the Harmonious adjustment of
the races.
We wish to direct the energies OF our
people to the Christian training and
nurture of the young, and to greater evan
gelical effort toward spiritual awakening
believing. as we do, that the Christian relig-
ion is solvent for all human problems
The negro is heavily handicapped in his
upward struggle We appeal to the friends
of humanity everywhere to aid and encour-
age him in the development of character
and the acquisition of intelligence. thrift,
and frugality, as means to reach a higher
level of life. =.
The progress already attained Is but an
earnest and hopeful indication of the
larger development necessary to meet the
requirements of our civilization.
1T is often claimed that the means and
effort devoted to the education of the ne
gro race have been wasted. On the con-
trary we affirm that no like sum of money
during the same period expended in any
other direction. has pro iuced such moral
and material advantage to any other class
of citizens or to the general welfare. We
invite candid and dispassionate investi-
cation of the basis OF this affirmation.
I'VE are grateful to northern philanthropy
for means and service contributed in our
behalf We also appreciate the fact that
the southern states have devoted a conS!d-
cradle part of their general fund to the
education of negro youth. We wish to
commend the fair-minded attitude of those
southern white men who stand for equal
educational advantage for all the children
of their respective states
I'VE wish, however, to state In the most
positive terms, that the prevailing dogma
TO the effect that the white race volun-
tarily imposes taxes upon itself for the
education of the negro contains a mis-
chievous fallacy. On final analysis labor
pays every tax in the world. The iaborer,
more than any other class, bears the
weight OF the public burden, and Is justly
entitled TO share in all public benefits.
Negro Contributes Share.
THE apportionment of such benefits ae-
cording 10 taxpaying abilities Is never
advanced except where the race Issue is
involved. This policy would be laughed
to scorn in any other section of our coun-
try, and would be considered as suicidal
as to mete out punishment for crime ac-
cording to the taxpaying ability of the
criminal Directly or indirectly, the negro
contributes his full share toward bearing
the public burden in every southern state,
and is, therefore. entitled to the education
of his children on equal terms with the
rest, as his just and equitable portion, and
not n civic gratuity.
I'VE deprecate the controversy, now
happily waning, between the advocates OF
higher and of Industrial education. The
negro requires every kind and degree of
to meet the wide circle of his
needs The question of industrial higher
ratio and proportion, and must be left to
individual aptitude, inclination and oppor-
tunity.
we believe that the individual should
be developed as a man, as well as a work
man: that his training should lead to a
broader conception of truth and duty, as
well as to the performance of specific modes
OF service.
we advocate national aid to local educa-
ton in those states and parts of states
where existing conditions demand IT,
Crime has no color; the criminal no
race. The wrongdoer should be isolated and
dealt To
impute to race the evil deeds of indi-
viduals tends TO promote rather than dimin-
lsh crime 1t engenders race animosity and
incites the spirit OF revenge and reprisal
which always finds Judgment in the breasts
of the baser members of both races, thus
perpetuatins constant state of hatred and
strife.
Arrayed Against Vice.
can the forces of law and order. with
out regard to race should be solidly ar
rayed against vice and crime. and espe
cfaliy against it's most heinous and repug-
nant forms. There should be inculcated in
the minds Of white and black alike the ne
cessity for higher respect and reverence for
law and order. We stand pledged to con-
tinue to do our utmost in this respect and
to cooperate with our white fellow citizens
to bring about the desired result.
1T Is the duty of every citizen TO obev
and uphold the law OF the land and of the
community III WHICH ne resides TO fulfill
cheerfuliy every civic obligation and 10 IN
hold the highest patriotic principles and
ideals IL is the reciprocal duty OF the
government TO protect every citizen in the
full and equal enjoyment OF guaranteed
rights and privileges For any state or
community TO enact oppressive regulations
tending to humiliate and degrade any part
of It's citizens is q mistaken and short
sighted craftsmanship.
Equality before the law and behind the
law lies at the basis Of our institutions
Every citizen should have due weight and
influence in making the laws by which he
is to be governed, well as equal protec-
ton and benefits OF such laws. We are
anxious to be clearly understood on this
point We enter our determined and un-
alterable protest against all regulations
subversive of this principle, under what
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