The Washington bee., 1907-11-23

hlduSuIdl duuIGSS OI LII. nlIkelQ, III
which he spoke of the aims and ideals
of modern education and of the place
and mission of Howard University in
the higher life of race, was the last.
Progress of the Race.
All the speakers emphasized the re-
markable progress which the colored
race has made in the forty years since
it has enjoyed freedom.P m.PreSident Roose-
welt pointed to the material gain which
has been achieved by the race, a gain
which he declared to be an indispensa-
bic step, and long one, in building the
the colored race problem. He said that
structure of a higher life, which must
| have as a basis some material founda-
ton. He said that he knew of no men
from any college in the country who
have heavier burdens to bear than the
graduates of Howard University. He
urged them to bear these buoyantly and
bravely. He spoke of the responsibility
which they owe to their race throughout
the country, and advised them strongly
rot to remain in Washington after grad
uation to secure a government position,
but to 60 out into the small places, where
their efforts will tell for the good of
| their race.
Mr.. Roosevelt spoke in particular of
the excellent work which has been ac-
co,nplished by the theological and medi-
cal graduates of the university, and said
that the same applies to all the other
departments of the institution.
President R0OSeUelPs address.
President Roosevelt said, in part:
During forty years, practically dur
! ing the time that has elapsed since the
emancipation proclamation, the colored
citizens of the United States have ac-
| cumulated property until now they have
| some S35o,ooo,oOo worth of taxable
property in this country. During the
same forty years they have been making
for themselves homes, until now there
are 10000 homes owned and occupied
by the colored citizens of Our country.
| When a man and woman grow to ac-
quire a certain amount of property,
above all when they grow to own and
occupy their own home, it is proof pos
itive that they have made long strides
forward along the path of good citizen
ship. The material basis is not every
thing, but it is an indispensable pre-
requisite to moving upward in the life
Of decent citizenship; and the colored
man when he acquires property acquires
a home has taken that indispensable
first step and a long long step.
Many Difficulties to Face
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 had to encounter, how much you
] have had to draw upon all of the cour-
] age, and faith, and resolution, and good
] temper that you had in you. trus
+ that each one of you here will realize
the peculiar burden of responsibility
= that rests upon him, not only as an edu-
i Gated American citizen, but as an edu.
e Gated member of a race that is strug
: Cling upward toward higher and better
r. things. The esteem that your fellow.
: citizens bear you; the way that they
e look upon you; the way in which they
d feel about the effects of education as i
:. shows itself in you, will in large de
v gree measure their belief in and regarC
: for the colored race. You bear a grea
c burden of esponsibility upon your shoul
: ders. l trust you will realize it, ant
: that help will be given to you from OF
/ high to bear it we'll and worthily.
know of no men graduating from an,
f college in the United States who hav
E, heavier load of responsibility thai
5 you bear, and, after all, there is n,
e greater privilege given TO any man thai
e to have such a load to carry, if only h
l. carries it well
= Ad0ice 10 Minister'S
! "a minister needs to remember nor
than anyone else the truth of the Bib
lical saying BY your fruits shall me-
i know you A minister needs to fee
5 that it is incumbent upon him not merel
n to preach high and yet a sane moral
J. ity, but TO see that his life bears out hi
e preaching in every minute detail. Hi
at position IS one Of peculiar leadership
st and therefore a peculiar weight of Oh
IS legation attaches to it. Nothing can b
ID more important for any people, or an
re race, than to have those members o
+ that people or race who follow the pro
IS fession of the ministry so conduct them
selves as to be a source of inspiratio
r to their own hocks, and at the sam
-. - - E-C-,, +Ls o,,+Sids vsyOrtd