New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-25
NEGROES PROGRESS TOLD
LEADERS IN CONVENTION.
Booker Washington Cheered by Fol-
I0zcers IN Business League.

color as generous and complete as heart couid
wish the organization of the negroes of business,
wealth and profession, under the leadership OF
Booker T. Washington and known as the National
Negro Business League has met for the last
three days in this wide streeted, hustilng city OF
Southwest It has been just one series of test-
monials to tolls and triumphs Of the energetic
race builder of Tuskegee-
The Governor of the state, through his repre-
sentative T A. McNeal, the State Printer: Mayor
Green of this city. ex-Lieutenant Governor trout
man, in behalf of the Topeka Commercial CLUB
and James H Guy a lawyer, in behalf Of the
local Negro Business League. all made coroiai
addresses of welcome. Invitations to the delegates
and visitors to visit the rooms of the State HIS
torical Society. in which are preserved many OF
the relics of John Brown and Of the civil war.
and the rooms of the Agricultural Department
were also extended THE Topeka Plaindealer'
the negro weekly, published as a daily for
the accommodation of the delegates The topeka
Daily Capital Topeka's leading daily, IN long
editorial welcomed the convention in part as fol-
lows:
Topeka hOnOred by being selected as Its han avn
ing always been held heretofore. we beIeSe. IN
Il IS hoped that this convention will prove as sue
cesssful those which have preceded IT, an9 thae
helpful the colored element in Topeka as II mas
for are Industry courage thrift patience and good
citizenship and its hand is against des
gates cordially welcome TO topeka
The business sessions of the league have been
held in the Hall of Representatives in the state
Capitol, given by the state, while President WASH
ington's address was delivered in Topeka's hand
some new auditorium, given by the Chamoer OK
Commerce. There was a single case of dis
elimination during the stay of the delegates
BOOKER wAsHINGToNs ADDRESS.
Aside from this generous impartial reception
there have been three features of this convention
conspicuous and remarkable. First of ALL Booker
T Washington gave OF the most significant and
important addresses of his career The time mad
come he evidently felt. when It was necessary for
him to state definitely his position as TO Negro
rights, privileges and opportunities This he did In
unfnchng manner
In a burst Of eloQuence that threw the crowded
hall into pandemonium Of cheering and applause
he declared he believed that the Negro should not
give up a single right guaranteed to him by the
Constitution" Speaking further, he said: After
the Negro has done all these things acquiring
property. education and character) he Is not seek
ing 10 dominate over others In matters or govern
ment nor Is he seeking TO intermingle with others
in strictly social matters where he is not wanted
asked: but he is asking that In every comrnu-
nifty and where he resides equal justice shall
he melted out to him in the courts and elsewhere.
and that all times his family and property shall
be protected by those who administer the laws"
He spoke further follows:
Despite much talk the Negro is not discouraged.
but is going forward. The race owns to-day
acreage of land that is equal the combined acre
age of Holland and Belgium. Negroes more
ever before in past history. We are learning
get as much out OF that soil as any other race
gets Of H. Soil. sunshine. rain and the laws of
learning that we must be builders if We would sue
coed In proportion as We learn this lesson In the
S Shq T6 PTGPeF''" VIII we ' he'p " ' south anu
We must not be content be merely tolerated
in communities: must make ourselves needed.
The great economic laws than govern the universe
will respond readily 10 the hand Of the China
man. the Italian the Negro any other race.
Man may clscrlmnate put nature ana tIe ecGnoillc
laHs that control commerce and markets viii not
a black; the rewards of usefulness are open 70 all.
and herein lies the great chance for the Nes9
moral and religious progress there are certain
that would be cassed among the successful races
of the earth. From this law there is no escape for
blacks or whites, reds or browns
There used to be question as to whether s or oI nGt
nary sense in which we understand education.
There IS longer any such question in the minds
g E being debated as 70 What extent
tha NST ss race is using and Is capable Of
using. education so as to increase his productive
among the markets Of the world
EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO.
I repeat that during the last forty years the
American Negro has convinced the world that he
could be educated in literature. science. mathe-
mates. agriculture, mechanics household arts and
upon abstract argument not by abuse of some one
public school, every college. every industrial and
professional school that has. been opened for US
object lessons in every part of the United states
of ability to receive education. When proof Is
asked of our ability to receive education we can
pickaninny in the Mississippi log cabin. we can
point to the Negro youth in cap and gown in OK
So much is settled. but as I have said. there is
have ability to apply our education TO all concerns
of common nfe-to bring TO bear the force OF
a. q nrFE
misunderstanding trades and in the matters that con-
Germ plain everyday living; Education may be val
worthless. Colo touching the markets of the world
mid-ocean lying at the feet OF hungry man is
worthless Gold has got to touch something to
something in the he same way; has got to quicken
objects sought TO be accomplished by the National
Negro Business League is to help the Negro race
education. but it can use 1t in getting most out of
the soil out of mechanics, housekeeping. business
educaton It is going to be the actual doing of the
thing not talking about it, that is going convince
In meeting this need the National Negro Business
League has already more than Justified its eight
ing the sef-reliance. 1t Is teaching the race
fnunts ana rot in the seat Of government toi at
! "asakagton Let me give you an illustration OF
fie influence of this organization: Before Il came
into existence there We're less than half a dozen
there and ea Or by these s G
the State of mississippi: the owns and con-
now has its grocery stores, notion stores, dry
goods stores, owned and conducted by our people
try which are exertng the same nd 81 me Gonn-
IN their communities as the National Negro Rnsi-
ness League.
MEN OF WEALTH DELEGATES
1t has been the privilege of the writer to have
attended many negro gatherings and conventions
but he never before had attended one from which
he has come with such definite ideas of his races
MT !,