The Washington bee., 1908-03-28

SuIulc, MI. n w. hOnlpSOn, OF thc
National Press Bureau; Mr. John A.
Landlord, president of the Washing
ton Negro Business League: Major
Charles f. Douglass, Mr.. Lewis H.
Douglass. DR.. and Mrs. A. M. Cur
It's and others.
The accomplished Lyric Orchestra
of Howard University rendered sew
eral tuneful selections during the
course of the evening.
CoHgycssmcH Madden and Campbell
Speak out.
The meeting was called to order at
eight o'clock by Chairman Lassiter,
and after prayer by Dr. Welch, Rep
resentaive Martin B. Madden, of IL
ilnois, was introduced as the presid-
ing officer of the evening. There was
prolonged cheering as he and DR..
Washington made their way to the
front of the paltform. Mr.. Madden
was greeted most cordially and his
Introductory remarks, declaring for
the perfect equality OF every class of
citizens beneath the Stars and Stripes
brought down the house. The speak
er referred in eulogistic terms to the
distinguished visitor, heartily endors-
ing his splendid work at Tuskegee,
and denominating him as unques-
tionably the foremost Negro of the
century. Mr.. Madden said the entire
country, regardless of race, IS Justly
proud of such an exemplary citizen,
and that all could follow his leader
ship with profit. He considered the
economic development of the Negro
as the fundamental element in the
solution of the so-called race prob
lem" and thought Dr. Washington
was doing more than any other agen-
cy in the land toward bringing about
this solution on solid and enduring
lines. He plead for the removal of
all restrictions and determinations
based on color, and believed the time
would come when the Constitution
would stand forth in all its beauty
and strength for the protection of
black and white alike.
/ Congressman P. P. Campbell, OF
Kansas, who, with Mr. Madden, had
been instrumental in preventing the
adoption of the Hehin amendment
providing for separate street cars in
the District of Columbia. received an
ovation as he came forward to de-
liver an address of welcome to the
great educator. He spoke in a sim
liar strain, espousing in no uncertain
tone the right of every citizen to
equal enjoyment of the privileges
guaranteed by the Constitution, and
his magnetic voice and engaging
presence won for him a host of
friends. His tribute to DR.. Wash
ington was one of the finest flights of
forensic eloquence ever heard on a
local platform.
The Wisard" at His Best
The Wizard of Tuskegee," as he
lis facetiously termed by his army of
admirers. had reason to be proud of
the magnificent ovation accorded to
him as he stepped to the reading desk
to begin his address, after felicitous
introduction by Chairman Madden.
The vast audience - downstairs, up
stairs, and everywhere - rose as one
individual and cheered the Wizard"
to the echo, giving him the Chautau-
qua salute again and again, and it
was several minutes before the speak
er could make himself heard above
the tumult. DR.. Washington never
appeared to be in a better humor,
and, as upon each former occasion,
he made the speech of his life" For
one hour and half he held the
closest attention of his hearers, say
ing much that was new and the best
of what had been previously said,pre-
senting an address that was strong
in all parts and which Struck home
in every paragraph on the vital issues
of the day. His many salient utter
anceS, grave and humorous, drew out
frequent demonstrations of approval,
and his apt anecdotes illustrating the
peculiaritieS of various race types,
; evoked laughter that was spontane-
Gus and pointed moral that argu-
ment could not have made palmer.
> In opening, DR.. Washington paid a
happy tribute to the beauty and the
cleanliness and rhe order that char