The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1908-12-03

washington, DE- C.,TDec. Eight
thousand persons, mAny of whom
were of the Caucasian race, wilt
messed the ceremonies attendant
supon the laying Of the cornerstone
of the new 100000 shome of the
colored branch q fthk Young Mems
Christian Association on the after
noon of Thanksgiving Day in this
city. The principal address was de-
livered by President Theodore
Roosevelt, and the Chief Executive
OF the nation further assisted BY
spreading the mortar in which tho
massive stone was irnbedded at the
conclusion Of the speaking. .'.
The Presidents remarkable ad-
dress has already been published far
and wide, and to say that it's broad
tenets and lofty spirit of equality of
opportunity: for all then, regardless
Of race, has set the country by the
ears, is to put the cabe mildly. The
time, the occasion ana the sentiment
given out were In perfect harmony,
and as result the President finds
himself today quite the most popu-
lar man inGthe official life of AM
erica IN;h> - T. .s:~5
1t appears that Mr.. Roosevelt, de-
spite his generous impulse to put In
g word for the Negro, felt peculiar
delicacy about making certain ref
erences to the race problem while
the campaign was In progress, fear
Ing that his motive might be mis-
construed, and regarded by the op-
position as q play for votes, aud that
,his~ message would thus lose much
OF its power, for the good that he, in
tended for 1t 70 convey. To avoid
being misunderstood, the President
chose the psychological moment af-
ter the election tnSAell the .colored
people and. tha nAtion,. what i, he
tAlo,ight III ssi
owed the. ECO OF the Il Dbl iga1
ton fegttRg 81 oi ~ s ss's sgf5 Is a
part and parcel OF the body, polite.
A careful reading Of the speech will
show that every word rang true and
that as a state paper it will take
rank with any utterance that has fall
len from the lips of any President
of the United States since Abriham
Lincoln. ...
- The Proce edings In Detail.
Mr.. E. J. Morton, president Of the
Colored Branch Of the Y. M. G.. A.
presided, and after a selection by
the mems chorus Of 100 voices, un-
der the direction Of Prof. John r.
Layton, introduced Commissioners H.
B. Mcfarland. who delivered brief
but telling address. After, making
note Of the special fitness In ,choos-
ing Thanksgiving Day for laying the
cornerstone Of structure that
stands for the highest ideals, Mr..
MacFar4and, said: ..
In this District, where there is
a larger and better colored popula-
tton than anywhere else, the colored
branch Of the Y. M. G. A. has great
opportunity and great promise. The
subscription Of 100000, raised en-
tirely among colored men and wo-
| men, Is of the greatest significance.
It Is the largest subscription of Its
kinds ever raised by colored men
and women. 1t Is not only credit
to those who give tito the national
capital, but will be stimulus to the
colored race throughout the country.
Already it has started similar enter
prises elsewhere, and they will mul-
ttply in the future"
President Roosevelt Warmly Greeted.
The arrival Of the President at this
juncture was the signal for an out
break Of tumultuous applause. The
| mass Of people in the streets, in the
windows and on the roofs Of the sur
| rounding houses cheered Justify and
clapped their hands, while the dain-
chiefs and small flags which they
| had brought for that purpose. The
picture was truly an inspiration
| suggesting the loftiest patriotism
and racial unity on the common
! ground Of racial uplift.' The Presi-
dents address was frequently inter.
! Tupted by applause. His review OF
! the progress and Importance Of the
Y. M. G. A. work among the coloreo
people, his plea for the same meas
ure Of opportunity for the white and
| the black American, for the absolute
equality Of ell before the law, hin
| telling Of sacrifices made by public.
spirited Negroes for the general wei
| fare, and his hearty endorsement ot
the labors of Charles Banks and his
Business League followers in estab,
| fishing and maintaining the Negro
town of Mound Bayou, Miss, as &
| striking example of the construc.
| tive genius Of the colored people
were especially happy and came ii
I for many evidences OF enthusiastic
approval. The President was In ex
| cellent voice and his rare good hu
NOR frightened the lowering skies
and made everyone feel perfectly al
home with him. His several de.
partures from his carefully prepared
| - Yt,Nk pals