The Washington herald., 1907-09-14

/ " o0iilli6 ION 4tHl IlEuL tAPouiutd tIlo9S
theories of industrial education, the
earnest advocacy Of which has made him
famous as a leader of the negro race.
Every seat in the vast auditorium was
occupied when Rev l. d. Morris. presi-
dent of the national Baptist convention
arose 70 Introduce the speaker of the
evening, whom he presented as the peer
OF any man who occupies the attention Of
the general public to-day"
Announcing his allegiance 90 the South,
that portion Of the country wherein dwell
the major portion Of his race, Dr. Wash
irgton entered upon .he discussion Of his
theme. optimism prevailing throughout
Dis argument Decrying those negroes
who refer ID thcms eIvcs as members Of O.
downtroddeu race. he emphasized it's
progress in the last half century and
pointed the way for "a continuation Of
prosperity.
Growth of Negro Race.
Mr. Washington said i'm part.
1T Is difficult for the average citizen
OF America TO realize 20 what an extent
the negro race has increased I'm this caun-
try within few centuries. In numbers
We began with twenty. 800 years ago. We
have, as race, increased iu population
until We now number more than 100000
THAT means that We have. as IL were. a
nation within a nation. or Il race within a
race. Tie negro in America represents
a population that is nearly twice as
large as the entire population of the D15
MiuioD of Canada and is nearly as large
as the entire republic OF Mexico We
have enough black people IN America %
people 1--WE of the smaller European coun-
tries and then have about 2o01.e1f remain
Ing.
The National Negro Baptist C0uyeu-
ton which 7 now have the honor of ad-
dressing is perhaps the largest organic.
body within tie negro population Be
ginning, as I Lave stated. with twenty
slaves landed 40 jamestown few CEN
turtles ago. this one organization alone
has grown to the point where it now has
more than lHea ministers. more than
300 individual church organizations. and
"a total church membership OF IG-1, ,pg The
negro Bapts-s OF America own property
o. the value Of nearly Na sHs9
Basis fer Development.
Il have often laid stress upon the inn
rorrance Of Industrial and economic
growth among our people ass % basis for
their moral and religious development I
cannot here too strongly repeat ana en-
plasze uy ideas 0a this subject 4
poverty-strirkau church usually means "a
weak minister Iu proportion as the ln-
G.vijual members of tine church are the
owners OF land, owners OF homes. have
trades. have regular employment good
income are taxpayers. have money in
the bank. in the same degree VIII the
church flourish. iu the same degree VIII
they Pee able 90 support the crgdlraHla and
useful minister
I'VE sometimes hear if said that the
negro race is standing stiI OF going back
ward / have ne faith iu such doctrine.
We are neither standing stlU nor going
backward. We are going forward 20 tire
usudugs rate. and 80 is the duty OF the
religious leaders. such as those who COM
pose this great convention. 20 sound
everywhere the note OF hope, courage.
The note OF optimism. no general ever
won a battle blt ala not have faith m
himself, faith iu bis army, and faith In
The cause for which he was fighting
Draw No Color Line.
Our future is very largely iu tie dj-
rection Of constructive. creative effort.
and moral and religious growth. There
are certain great natural and economic
laws that govern the problems of nations
and races Soil, rain. and sunshine draw
no color line Tn. forces of nature Will