The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-02-21
the past: year. the following declara
tons were adopted; = .>t,,l,,. .'.I'
Declarati mrs : = =. = - = .

Y -
lions were Adopted; ..t~ix,,. 7,','' 9
| Declarations : s RE =
| 1. We reafnrm our conviction that
the future ofIthe Negro people Is in
the South. We, therefore. ,aSain urge
-FOUR paoDle to- make pRaS before 1t ia tco
rate OF the opportunity that now exists
20 o9y iand, We wopsd 9rse Sthen to
build homes AID yestablish
themselves on ypSehe Ss6ils:s, We beneve
snat, ownership Of the ,sols by indiyidu.
ar VINO t1tisS IL, Is fthe firsp step HI the
forty years since slavery Negro farm.
ers, according TO he EsdeEal Asensiis
nave come into possession of nearly
as much land as Is contained In the,
efefrltSry Of two EUROPEAN states
,Hollanf and Belgium. This proof az
our ability to buy land and, hold, Il
should encourage US. TO do better in
the fature. w.. -, 4 =. Ia. ,;;''.,.
q, We must do more ) In n the :f utt
than we have in the; past in, the way
OF diversifying our crops and improV,
ing the quality. of. the soil. The rats
ing or chickens, hogs and cattle NOT
only, for the food supply. ,bnt because
they help to make the soil on, which
they are kept healthy and productive,
shouId receive more attention.
a. We feel compelled to emphasize
upon our people the duty, of prac ticing
greater economy In the futare than, in
the past We must save our money.
start bank accounts and eventually
put these savings into land, buildings
stock, machinery and other things that
contribute to make our homes more
desirable places to live. We are cheer.
ca 10 Know that. members of our race
already, and mostly, within the past
have CT
thirty banks in the Southern States
and that the amount deposited in. these
hanks: and buildings and loan associa.
ftlons owned and controlled by our peo-
PIE amount to more than half q mil.
Hon dollars. ..,..' =. -
+ T. We rejoice to observe that the
Southern States are taking a new and
greater interest in education. We re.
Sfet, however, that in many instances
the colored schools are not. getting
their fair share of the public schools
funds and that the schools Of our peo-.
pie sometimes receive less sunport
from the State now, now when the
State appropriations for education
nave been increased, than they did
when the amount Of these appropria-<
lions was less. We note with satjsfac.
ton, however, the extent to Which
our people IN different parts of. the
South are submitting to voluntary,
taxation, giving from their small earn
(lngs sometimes to increase and i'm;
prove the school buildings and supple
ment: the salaries paid by the State
to our school teachers, so that the
school terms have in many places been
extended to seven, eight and often
nine months in the year;
B. While the past year, because of
clashes between the races, has been
one of anxiety. to many of us, we are
cheeFed- and ~comforted by the evil
dences that we frequently see around
us that our friends among the white
people,. cooperating with. the leaders
among our pepp1&. are determined
! more In the future than In the past to;
prevent such outbursts. In order to.
| cooperate with the forces OF, law and.
order In our several communities. we
urge upon our leaders and teachers
that they earnestly seek In every way:
to reduce the number of idlers and va
| grants OF our race, especially in the
cities. .z--------..-.. -. = H..
3. Finally. let us be assured once;
| more that there Is no greater security.
tor our present defense or success
than the patient and persistent effort
on our part, to go forward, to do right.
and act justly toward every man white:
or black, as God helps US to see 1t.
| Tomorrow, the Workers Conference
composed of prominent educators Of
both races and those Interested In, the
| educational development of the Negro
IS also to be held here
f. ----