The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17
EDUCATION FUR
 THE NEGRO RACE President Roosevelt Speaks At
 Howard University
ADDRESS BY JAMES BRYCE
Progress of Negro In America Is Dis cussed By Both the President and the Ambassador With a
 Hopeful Outlook.


 Washington, November 1s.-President Roosevelt, the Honorable James Bryce, British ambassador, and Andrew Carne- gie delivered addresses with pronounced optimism as to the future of the negro race here today The occasion >.1s the installation of the Rev Wilburn Patter- son Thirkleld as president of Howard university and the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the founding of that institution which is devoted pri- marily to the higher education of the negro
 President Roosevelt admitted the hard ships endured by the negro in his ef- forts towards advancement, but urged that they be looked upon rather as a privilege and as stimulating greater ef- fort for which the reward would be equally great.
 MT. Bryce pointed to the development of the race during the last 70 years as being marvellous, as compared with the development of Anglo Saxon races. He said it is not what we shall do with the negro, but how can we get more of them"
  of popularity by showing in conclusion that the race in America had acquired title to estate in America during the past 40 years larger than Belgium and Holland combined.
 Many prominent personages participat- ed in Llle exercises representing govern- ment officials the clergy and educators,
 After the addresses mentioned, the pro- granine was continued with speeches by Dr. Elmer Brown, United States commis- siuner of education, Secretary Garfield, Rev. John k. Bowen, president of Gam mon Theological seminary, Atlanta; the inaugural address of President Thirkield and behedction by Bishop Satterlee.
 Presidents Address.
 President Roosevelt spoke follows:
 Judge Barnard, ladies and gentlemen, and especially you graduates and under graduates of this institution of learning:
 "l am glad to have Il chance to come before you and say word of gratlhca- ton and God speed today. This day Of your installation, Mr President, com memorates the 40th anniversary of the founding of this institution. There has been much sorrow and disappointment that has come to me not only of the colored race, but of all races during that 40 years and sometimes in looking back we fail to realize all the progress We have made.
 During these 40 years, practically during the time that has elapsed since the emanci- patton proclamation the colored citizens of the United States have accumulated property until they have now all told s35, ,000,000 worth of taxable property in this country. During the same 40 years they have been making fJr themselves homes until now there are 500000 homes owned and occupied by the colored cit izens of this country. When man and women grow to acquire q certain amount of property, above all when they grow to own tlfeir own homes, it is proof posi- tive that they have made long strides forward along the path of good citizen ship.
 "The material basis is not everything, but it is an indispensable prequiste to moving upward in the life of decent citi- zenship; and the colored man, when he acquires property-acquires a home, has taken that indispensable first step and a long, long step. In that material basis must be built the structure of life and this institution has been devoted through out its career of turning out men who are helpers of their own people to her life. You have close on 5000 graduates. Last year you had in all 1000 students representing 90 of our own states and territories and about 90 students from other countries. In the neighborhood of 70 came from the British West Indies, which alone give a right to expect the presence here of one who would come in any event because he is interested in the place and genuinely In every movement for the benefit of mankind MT. Bryce, the British ambassador.
 Every graduate of an institution Of learning who goes out into the world has many difficulties to face. Few have more difficulties to face than those who graduate from this institution. You graduates know how much of hardship you have to encounter, how much you have had to draw on all of the courage and faith and resolution and good temper that you had in you The undergraduates will learn the same lessons l trust that each one of you here will realize the particular burden of responsibility that rests on him. not only as an educated American citizen but as an educated member of a race that is struggling upward toward higher and better things You bear a great burden of responsibility on your shoulders, men and women who come from this institution. l trust you will realize it and that help will be given to you from on high to bear it we'll and worthily.
 MT. Bryce's Speech.
 The many millions of negro people who dwell within the British empire made it fitting" said Ambassador Bryce in hs' address. for him to join in the celebra- ton. Britain and the British colonies had a work to de- he indicated similar to that which was the function of How ard university. The 12,0o0,000 Kaffirs living under British rule in South Africa, as we'll as the large number of the same race in other localities on that continent, were further back in ivifization, he said. than the members of that race in the southern states or in the West Indies But the development in Africa was notable. Wars had stopped. steam CTS navigated the rivers. railroads were building, education advancing and the arts and customs of civilization making headway.
 Regarding the negro race as a whole, in the old world, and the Americas, the ambassador said. there Is no doubt a vast deal to be done, and one hears many