The Washington bee., 1908-05-23
BISHOPS MEET
ADDRESS OF DR.. BOOKER T.
WASHINGTON.
Norfolk, Va, May IS, 1908.


from the election Of officers, was the
strong, convincing, interest-compell-
ing address Of DR.. Booker T. Wash
ington, who spoke upon invitation
of the Conference Friday evening,
May 18th. The largest crowd of the
Conference session gathered at the
great Skating Rin,l litorium to
hear the address and Welcome the
speaker of the occasiokX More than
three thousand people paid an ad-
mission fee to hear DR.. Washington,
the whole proceeds going toward the
expenses of the Conference, DR..
Washington contributing his services
and the expense account of himself
and secretary to the Conference. On
the platform with DR.. Washington
were Bishops Abraham Grant, w.
J. Gaines, Evans Tyree, L. J. Cop
pin, c. J. Shaffer, B. F. Lee, c. S.
Smith, Prof w. s. Scarborough,
Hon. w. T. Vernon; DR.. Washing
tons secretary, Mr.. Emmett ]. Scott,
and DR.. H. T. Johnson, who intro
duced the speaker. The applause of
the audience was spontaneously and
truly hearty; every demonstration of
~rooJ mill o,,I oJ,,;-of;C., ha;,,cr ,.~; cal I
in the overwhelming ovation which
followed the conclusion of the elo-
quent address. At a banquet tender
ed DrWashington at theMtVernon
Hotel by Mr.. L. w. Bright, the pro-
prietor, nearly every bishop and gen
eral officer of the Church and many
leaders of the Church were present
and responded to toasts, all voicing
sympathy and endorsement of the
sensible address to which they had
listened
DR. Washington has every reason
to feel proud of the cordiality of his
welcome ehre, of the magnificent au-
dience which greeted him, and of the
sympathy and good will of the assem-
bled hosts of African Methodism. 1t
will mean much to the race for these
strong forces to be working side by
side, in complete understanding.
On Saturday the General Confer
ence went in body to the famous
Hampton Institute A boat was pro-
vided by the Institute, luncheon was
served to nearly six hundred persons
en- route, and a splendid day spent
in visiting all departments of the
school In the gymnasium address
es were made by DR.. Washington,
Bishop Gaines, Bishop Grant, Hon.
w. T. Vernon, DR.. H. 7. Kealing,
DR.. Goode, DR.. Boiling, etc.
DR.. Washington spoke for nearly
two hours, and in part as follows
There are certain points of funda-
mental interest upon which we as a
race can unite. On all essentials there
is no reason why there should be
any division among us. 1t IS not
necessary that we be ulted on non
essentials, but there are certain great
fundamental principles so important
to the progress of any race of people
that | am going to take the liberty
of emhpasizing in your presence the
necessity of having constant union
in the promotion of these great prin-
ciples.
First, we can unite as a race upon
the idea that we are to remain in
this country; that we are to be per-
manenly classed as American citi-
zens.
Again, we can unite upon the idea
that the masses of our people are
to remain in the Southern States, and
that when all things are considered
it is best that the masses should re-
main in the Southern States. It Is
impossible for a race to achieve any
high degree of progress until it has
definitely settled the place of its per
manent abode. An unsettled, shifting
people are always an unsuccessful
people Besides, there are certain
elemtnts which follow us, no matter
where we go. One cannot get rid OF
poverty or ignorance or immortality
by merely changing the place OF his
abode; on the other hand, if one pos
sesses intelligence and skill and high
moral character, these elements will
follow him and stand him in good
stead, no matter where he may reside.
We can all unite upon the idea
that in the case OF race in the