The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-18
WHITE LEADERS PLEAD
CAUSE OF BLACK MAN

New York. Jan 1s.-The black mans
cause was pleaded eloquently last night
by eminent men before one of the most
notable audiences ever assembled in
Carnegie hall
Henry Watterson, Governor Charles f.
Hughes and DIR. Booker T. Washington
made the principal addresses. Cardinal
Gibbons and Ambassador Bryce, who
were unable TO attend gave expressions
of sympathy with the needs. nopes and
aspirations OF the colored race in the
form OF messages
Mr.. Wattersons address caused con-
siderable comment, particularly a part
OF II in which he gave a smart rap to
1.-The four hundred"
THE Ethiopian Is thought TO he espe-
Cially initiative" he said. "All OF us are
more or less Neutrality-suspicious. the
ultra smart set OF high society-which.
here on the seaboard initiates the little Il
knows about the European nobility, and
in the interior whatever Il can find out
about the smart set on the seaboard.
1T is an unfortunate characteristic OF
imitation to take for its examples rather
the bad than the good of whatever at
tracts fits admiration or its envy.
Now. for my part. l think much more
Of the colored four hundred than l think
of the Caucasian four hundred, who live
for vanity and pleasure. and who. II they
can't go 10 heaven in their automobiles
don't want 10 go at all
The meeting was arranged by the Arm
strong association. its purpose being to
launch a campaign to raise money for
1uskegee institute.
Seth Low, who presided. said that Tus-
kegee was seriously I'm need OF funds to
continue its work and that II was imper-
aff bu Q--0 0OO no oiVpn tho ingti-
tuition before May 81 next
Mr.. Low, who Is a trustee of the in
stitute said that owing the financial
strngency the receipts OF Tuskegee had
fallen off s35. 900 during the past seven
months The chairman IN a vigorous
plea for aid aroused the audience TO
great enthusiasm.
Among the audience tho business and
social life OF the city was well represent
ed. Those In the boxes. which were all
n,leG. included Horace White. Isaac n
seligman. the banker; Mrs. John d.
Rockefeller. Mrs. Henry IL. Rogers. Mrs
Douglas Robinson. Mrs. Robert c. Ogden
Mrs. Waiter VI. Page.
In Introducing Governor Hughes, Chair
man Low said that he presented n man
who was too busy with his official duties
to devote any attention 10 his personal
interests. present or future but was no,
too busy TO lend his aid I'm tho cause OF
Tuskcgco institute.
This statement brought forth demon
straticn seemingly participated In by
everyone In the vast audience and II was
some time before the governors voice
could be heard.
Governor Hughes began by declaring
that from a proper viewpoint the work
done for "our fellow citizens OF the black
race" is "for our own benefit az Well
and essential TO the interests OF the
people as q whole" lie said:
The black man is entitled 10 his
chance. lie is entitled 20 the advan-
tagcs or training and education. lie Is
entitled under the stimulus 90 free insti-
tutions 90 an opportunity 20 prove by
his works what Is in him and TO make
his contribution according TO his talent
and aptitude to the sum OF our produc-
tive labors and Of our national life. and
he = entitled % the rewards which hts
character aud Industry may deserve
There Is no color line IN good work
Whether % hand or brain
We wapt neither slaves nor se1fs. mol