Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-31
HoNoRING Mr.. VERNON
REGISTER OF THE TREASURY
GUEST AT BANQUET.

A banquet was given at co1ored Odd Eel.
lows Hall. 1905 NJ street. last evening by
q number Of colored residents Of the city
In honor Of william T. Vernon. register of
the treasury. The toastmaster was w. L.
Houston and the list of speakers included
W. T. Vernon, e. w. hampton. W.. L.
Board, John L. Waller, R. T. Greener. E.
M. Hewlett i. B. Moore, r. H. Terrell. A.
N. Curtis, w. A. Brooks, Robert R. Moten
and John c. Dancy
1 = >
Mr.. Houston. who is grand master Of the
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, acted
as the toastmaster.
L DIR. hampton, the financial secretary OF
the A. N. E. Church, delivered the address
Of welcome.
The toasts were: Wanted" Dr. Board;
Citizen and Soldier" Mr.. Waller: CO.
lonial Expansion" Mr.. Greener: "Our Po-
litical Duty" Mr.. Hewlett; Educational
Ideals" DIR. Moore; Race Unity" Justice
of the Peace Terrell: Essentials OF Prog
ress." DIR. Curtis; 1.-THE Church. It's Respon-
sibilities" Rev. Mr.. Brooks: Discipline OF
Negro YOUTH Maj. Moten, and Our
Guest" Mr.. Dancy.
Response by Register.
Register Vernon, in responding, spoke, in
part, as follows:
ST am sure that 1 can not dttingly ex-
press my appreciation of this testimonial Of
esteem and regard which you have given
me.
The eloquent words of congratulation
and compliment which the speakers of the
evening have seen fit to utter regarding
me appeal to me in a way which no words
of mine can fully describe. Words are but
feeble things-they mean so little when the
heart holds SO much. and I assure you,
that could the promptings of my Utmost
soul be laid bare in this splendid presence,
how inf1nitisimally small would seem by
these promptings
II came to you a stranger, to assume
the duties of the Office to which had been
appointed, realizing that such an appoint
It carried with it representation for the
race. and hence great responsibilities call
ing for the best effort of any man.
II assure you that my efforts have been
to measure up to these responsibilities In
way which would please, not only my SUI
periors, but all the people of this great
country without regard to color. If my
conduct has been such as to find favor and
approval then feel more than repaid: and
these wordsof yours tonight, and this testi-
monial will serve to encourage me to
greater effort to perform my duties faith
fully in the future, as have attempted to
do in the past.
This is a most generous act, and may
say now that I have the kindest feelings
for all Of the elements that 1 have met
since coming here, and which have all
ness. To sum 1t up. 1 want to be every
body's register Of everybody's treasury.
Public Office is Public Trust.
while public Office is a public trust, and
all SO situated should realize it, the negro
in Office should realize that there is for him
to do that which the most generous state
ment cannot comprehend. Aside from a
faithful performance Of the duties assigned
him, he should maintain an especial inter-
est In his people.
THAT a race should have opposition as
well as an individual indicates progress.
but shall we cease our efforts for progress
because Of opposition? Not soto correct
that which Is of wrong within the race, to
emphasize the right and the better things
which the negro has done Is duty which
we must not neglect
Il believe that large proportion Of the
negro leaders are striving heartily for that
which they conceive to be best, and hence
do not purposely take issue with men; per
Sc, but state my views as I see the stu
alton.
Il believe that the wisest craftsmanship
will finally conclude that injustice to any
Of our citizens Is indeed harmful to the
government, for the reason that patriotism
arising from intelligent appreciation Of the
real greatness of the. republic is the real
safeguard of the codntry. Such patriot
ism is best fostered by the protection and
splendid opportunities which only exact
justice can afford
1.-THE best men of both races must under
stand each other better. In republic
there can be no lord and vassal no master
and slave no ruler and serf, but the reg
nancy of conscience in the final analysis
must preserve our cherished institutions.
~ am no pessimist. I have an abiding
faith in the triumph Of right and the all
verities have no fleeing existence, but are
Of the ceaseless ages.
when the trials, the disheartenings and
misunderstanding which now obtain shall
know the oblivion which is always the part
of wrong, equal and exact justice will be
accorded to all men,"