Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-11
UPuFT OF THE NEGRO RACE
ADDRESS BEFORE AFRICAN M. T..
CONFERENCE.
Prof. John r. Hawkins Makes Ap-
peal for elf-Reliance-Recep
ton Of Reports.


A. NJ. f. conference at the Metropolitan
A. NJ E. Church. on NJ street northwest,
was taken up with the discussion Of the
educational interests Of the negro, and an
outline was given OF the work Of the
schools supported by the African Meth
odist Episcopal Church. The principal
speaker was Prof. John r. Hawkins OF
Kittrell. N. c., head Of the educational
work in the A. NJ. E. Church. He made
an appeal for the fair treatment Of the
negro. and urged that the race should
help to support financially its own schools.
He spoke as follows:
THE A. NJ E. Church is committed to
the cause of building and maintaining
schools and colleges, because 1t believes
this to be one Of the best ways to uplift
humanity and add to the progress OF the
race to which we belong. No race or
class Of people will ever amount to much
that will allow itself to be forever carried
in the arms Of other people.
Learning Their Lesson.
mo race will be respected and given
a place as a potent factor in the affairs
of the nation that insists on being re-
garded as an object Of charity and sits
down, expecting others to feed and clothe
and educate its people. Right we'll have
the negroes Of America learned the lesson
OF caring for themselves. in providing for
home comforts and laying the foundation
for future happiness and usefulness; and
they may as well prepare for the inevita-
ble-which will surely come-and be ready
to shoulder greater responsibilities in the
educating of their own people.
II mean by this that this education is
that pertains to the peace, progress and
happiness OF people. We must not only
build and maintain our own schools and
colleges where our youths may learn of
the duties and activities of life. but we
must establish and maintain enterprises
where this knowledge can be put into
practice and made to produce tangible
results.
I'VE don't want to be asking aims as II
we were wards Of this nation and be
favor. What we want is to so act as to
prove that we stand as citizens fully
aware OF our citizenship and willing to do
all In our power to make our citizenship
strongest government on the face Of the
earth. We can live under any law that
the white man makes for himself, and all
that we ask in civic affairs Is that he
will not force upon US class legislation and
attempt to humiliate US by subtecting US
to the indignities Of unjust discrimina-
tions to which he himself would not SUBJ
nit for one minute.
1.-THE negro Is not a nonenity and does
not wish to be left out of the count when
it comes to making Of the basis Of repre-
sentation, and he will not accept 1t as
right If the republican party to which he
has chung so tenaciously all these years
allows him to be counted out.
Denial Of Franchise.
Nor does he wish to be counted and
taxed and then denied the privilege of
franchise and representation, and l can
not believe that, at this time of trial
our friends will throw us overheard. We
wish to do our country service, but 1t
must be understood that we have long
since learned that there is a difference be
tween service and servility.
These are stirring times. Though
things may seem quiet on the surface
there is great commotion going on where
the undercurrent Is felt. This nation is
face to face with grave problems and
among these great problems or questions
is what to do with the negro. Standing
here in the shadow of the White House
and speaking as a humble representative
Of the negro. I want to say that If the
obstructionist will simply get out Of the
way the negro will remove the perplexities
Of this question and take care of himself
I'VE are not bothered about social
equality at all, as that ought to take care
of itself among all classes and races We
are not losing any sleep about the homes
and privileges on the other side. We are
too busy building our own homes and
identifying them and making life beauti-
full and enjoyable among our own people
to stop to even think about that matter.
I'VE are sacredly in earnest about the
uplift of our people In the great south
land where most of them are to De found
and what We need most Is a better under
standing and a more harmonious adjust
ment of the relationship between Inc races
in the south. The negro is not at heart
Iov1 TO- CT "a hA yt4tt
| Is no reason why we should not dwell to-
gether In peace in the same section. and "
all. both white and black. will agree to be
fair and just and do the things that are
right regardless OF race. creed or color
there will be peace and prosperity and
happiness. Then the question will be set
tied because settled right"
Report on Education.
The committee on education made Its
report. in which 1t reviewed the work
Of the educational interests of the church.
| Rev. B. T. Perkins headed fraternal
delegation from the Washington confer
ence. Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev.
Mr.. Perkins delivered an address Of greet
ing. in which he spoke of the work OF
his church among the negroes.
Rev. j. H. WEIGH. pastor of Metropon-
tan Church. responded.
In the afternoon w. L. vernon, regis
ter OF the treasury. delivered a brief ad-
dress. The committee on temperance
made its report and urged that every ef-
fort be made to suppress the liquor raf-
| hc.
| The Women's Mite Missionary Society
will hold its annual meeting this after
noon. Tomorrow morning Bishop Wesley
J. Gaines will preach on ordination. and
in the afternoon a number of candidates
| for the orders Of deacon and elder will be
| ordained.