The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-15
Race in America Is Learning
Lesson of Self Reliance.
WOULD NOT BE WHITE.
If He Could Be Born Again
Would Prefer to Be Black.
Proud of Race Which Has Made
Such Splendid Progress.

duuTeSS as president OF the NaLlOnaI
Negro Business Mems league last even
ing at the auditorium gave some of the
most wholesome food for thought and
action to which the negroes of this sec
| ton have ever listened. Mr.. Washing
ton had something to say that he felt
most keenly and although there was no
attempt at oratory, it was most telling
speech. 1t was thoroughly optimistic
and plea for courage and determine
ton and belief in himself on the part OF
the negro instead of whines and COM
plants. He said in part:
IN the minds of people whose opin-
IONS are worth considering, there is no
longer any question as to whether or no.
the negro can be educated 1t is a Uues-
ton as to what extent the negro race is
using and is capable of using education
SO as to increase his productive ability
When proof is asked of our ability to
receive education we can point to the
little bareheaded and barefooted pick
Sninny in the Mississippi log cabin school,
or we can point to the negro youth in
cap and gown in Oxford university.
England. -t ~ =
The National Negro Business league
has already more than justified it's eight
years of existence. In the first place, it
is teaching the race self-reliance. 1t is
teaching the race that success is to be
found in ones own community and not
in the seat of government at Washing
the influence of this organization: Be
fore it came into existence there were
less than half dozen negro banks own
ed and controlled by our people, now
there are thirty-four, and ten of these
are in the state of Mississippi. The
race owns and controls 134 drug stores:
almost every town and city now has It's
grocery stores, notion stores, dry goods
stores, owned and, conducted by our
people. Out of this organization has
grown 457 local negro business leagues
which are exerting the same kind Of
influence in their communities as the
National league is in a larger way. Our
members are not disposed to split hairs
or wrange over parliamentary rules but
they arc here to do things.
Despite much talk to the contrary.
the negro is not discouraged but is go
ing forward. The race today owns an
acreage of land that is equal to the
combined acreage of Holland and Bel
GUM. Negroes own more land, more
houses, more stores, more banks, than
ever before in our history. We are
learning that race cannot occupy a
soil unless that race can get as much
out of that soil as any other race gets
out of it. Soil, sunshine, rain, and the
laws of trade have no regard for race or
color. We are learning that we must be
builders il we would succeed. The force
of nature will respond as readily to the
hand of the Chinaman. the Italian or
the negro as to any other race Man
may discriminate but nature and the
economic laws that control commerce
and markets will not and can not.
1.-The great battle cry of our race
which should be sounded in every
part of the land, is overcome evil
with good overcome failure with sue
cess, overcome injustice with useful
ness, overcome doubt with high en-
deaVor, overcome shiftlessness with
high achievement. There is some
thing in human nature that eompels
respect for success regardless OF races
or color Most important of ALL do
not make the mistake of believing
that mere agitation or condemnation
of wrong; demanding of rights or de-
Tending will within themselves, push
forward our cause. Succeed where
YOU are Do not advertise your disad-
vantages but talk about your oppor-
tunities.
SHOULD I interpret and analyze the
feelings and ambitions OF the black
man in America it is this: He is not
seeking to dominate over others In
matters of government, nor Is ne
seeking to intermingle with others IN
strictly social matters where he is not
wanted or asked, but he is asking that
in every community and state where
he resides that equal and exact JUS
tice shall be melted out to him In the
courts and elsewhere, and, that at all
times his family and property shall be
protected by those who administer the
laws" .
In conclusion Mr.. Washington talk
ed about morality and said that i'm
morality and business success could
not be harm essed up together. When
he urged them not to be ashamed OF
their race but to be proud of 1t there
was tremendous applause. He voiced
the contempt of all right thinking
men for those who try to palm them
selves off as members of another race.
He said: ''If I could again enter the
spirit world and have my choice be,
tween being black and white, would
choose to be black. I would want TO
be a member of the race that has
made such splendid progress under
such untoward circumstances The
of my race are my SORROWS
and their joys my joys
Following Mr.. Washington's speech
were addresses by ]. Washington OF
Marlin, Tex. a merchant, who told or
his successes in his line of business.
J. E Bush made an appeal Tor
members of the league.
Charles Banks. cashier or negro
hank at Mound Bayou. Miss, who is
one Of the most successful business
men of the race, was presiding OFFICER
most of the evening. Bishop Abra-
ham Grant of the A. NJ. E. church
gave the invocation. The musical
numbers were as follows: Mrs. r. G.
Owens. Los Angeles. Cal, vocal solo;
Miss Jessie ogden, Topeka, vocal solo;
and Mrs. J. NJ. Wright, Topeka. vocal
The committee on credentials was
last night as follows: F. H.
Gilbert, New York; P. w. White. Ala
bama; Bismark Lavine. Missouri;
Pred Carter, Indiana; George E.
henderson, Illinois; A. NJ. johnson,
Mississippi and P. L. Parrish, Ken
lucky.