The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-11-21

uent " howard UhlVersity's Board
or Trustees, presided and introduced
the speakers in well-chosen rema rlts
A more notable gathering, represent
ing so. many powerful interests In
the life Of the nation, mas never as-
,sembled in, the District or Columbia
on such an" occasion, ana theFzeaf
thus>manifested In the education 81
the Negro, by their prescribe and uli-
equivocal utterances, marks an espoch
in the History Of the race; as welf as
a distinct Triumph for Howard Uni
versity. -. T&+> III" :-;j.' - =.
~ PRESIDENT Roosevelt Speaks.
President. Roeseyett. received a Sec
ond OVATION as he arose to- speak, af-
ter being introduced as "a man
knoWR the world over as favoring
eGNal rights Sfar all :men-~not alone
the Wight to have an education of the
mead, heart and the hand, but an edu-
cation productive Of men who will
do things "
The President preached lay SER
moh, with optimism as his text. He
held up. the $35O,OOO,O 900 worth OF
taxable property accumulated by the
Negro In forty years Of opportunity
as an evidence OF the rapid strides
the race have taken toward good cit
izenshiD. and emphasized the owner
ship of 100000 homes as a high NOR
al influence in the uDlift of the col
ored people, deserving of the highest
praise. 1.-THE" material basis is not
everything" said the President; but
it Is an Indispensable prerequisite to
moving upward in the life Of decent
citizenship; and the colored man,
when he acquires property, acquires
a home, has taken that indispensable
hrst step, and long, long step" He
referred to the burdens that Howard
graduates must bear and the difficult
ties they are bound to encounter in
making their way in the world; he
knew of no men graduating from
any college whose load Of RESPONSE
b1l1ty Is heavier, but he declared that
there is no greater privilege given. to
any man than to have such load to
carry, II only he carries it we'll. He
urged them to bear these pesponsi-
b1l1ttes and burdens buoyantly and
bravely, The President created no
little amusement and won an enthu-
slast1c note Of approval when he
strongly warned the graduates not
to stay around Washington looking
for some government position, nor to
go to another large city, but suggest
ed earnestly that7they go out into the
smaller places, where their efforts
will tell for the good Of the race.
Further, he pointed out the sacred
Obligations incumbent upon the min
lister, 1t being especially important
that they, as teachers of their fell
lows in the things Of the soul, should
live up to high standard Of moral
ity and good citizenship. The doctor
was advised to be not only a healer
of the, bodies Of his patients, but to
be force for home missionary en-
deavor by going info the business
arena and allying himself with move
ments that make for civic advance
ment. He spoke of the nice drug
stores owned by colored physicians
In the South, and admitted that he
was deeply impressed by the evil
dences Of thrift and commercial acu-
ment exhibited by them, the percep-
tibie influence exerted by them among
their people, and the esteem in which
they are held by all. classes in the
communities where they reside.
While he referred particularly to on
ly the theological and medical pro-
LESSONS, he said the same principles
are applicable alike to all the other
departments Of the University. AS
the standing of the race in the eyes
Of the world SO greatly depends upon
the conduct and achievements Of the
leaders and teachers who go out from
this Institution; 1t was the Presidents
sincere wish that their labors may
Indeed be- fruitful, and that they
may in the end find the satisfaction
vouchsafed to all who lead a life Of
service Worth rendering. President
Roosevelt's address was listened to
attentively cpd be was frequently
Interrupt - by applause.
Ambass. .AoA, HXce7s Hopeful View.
Ambassador Bryce ma1velled at
the wonderful progress Of the Negro
race, which he pronounced unparal-
leled in history and assured his hear
ers not to be misled by the pessi-
mists who, not being fully advised Of
the facts, are prone to complain that
ideal conditions had not yet been
brought about. He, was interested in
Howard, not only as q friend Of the
progress Of mankind in general, but
because upon her rolls are carried
fully seventy from the British West
indies, and he appreciated the good
work that tbs school is doing for the
ambitious young colored men Of bis
own domain, Said he: