Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1909-10-29
|Afro-AmeriCa]ns
Honor Henson.
II Great Gathering h Tuxedo Nall. New
york. Explorer Tells Admlriae Throas
That Ne Was Wiling 10 Do n
Necessary 10 Olscredll
Popular Theory. ..
Nv N. n. DoDSON.

nave OOne themselves prOuu "NuAI
the past few mouths bestowing honor
and homage upon those members OF
the race who have won special distinc'
ton in their chosen fields. The first
notable event among them was the
great welcome ovation to the return
Ing Fighting Tenth" cavalry from the
Philippine Islands. The second, which
partook more Of national loyalty than
OF race pride. was the part taken In
the recent Hudson-Fnlton celebration
Jack Johnson's victory over Stanley
Ketchel came in for a goodly share OF
race hilarity. The last great event, the
facts connected with which are OF
worldwide interest to all peoples-the
complimentary dinner which was Civ.
en- In honor Of Matthew Henson. the
only Afro-American who has car
ried the stars and stripes to the ton
Of the world-was In every way befit-
ting for one who has achieved such q
signal exploit in connection With the
scientific discoveries Of the world. The
dinner was given in Tuxedo hall, New
York, Oct. 10. There were over 200
persons present. H.
Charles w. Anderson, collector OF in.
ternal revenue. as toastmaster. present.
ed Mr.. Henson with gold watch stud.
led with diamonds. the gift Of his nd.
mirers. .t r
'.Whatever may be said in the CON
troversy as to which white man dis.
covered the pole" said Mr.. Anderson
In presenting the watch. there is not
Il shadow of doubt as to which black
man got there"
In q brief speech accepting the watch
Henson said that the colored man had
tried for years to show the opposite
race that he Is n man Of grit.
when went to Greenland they
said never would come back" said
Mr.. Henson. They told me couldn't
stand the cold-that no black man
scosIit. / said was willing to die II
necessary to show them. ! survived
all right. and here am"
This telegram. sent by Commander
Pcary from Eagle isle. Maine was
read: s.#
congratulate you and your race upon
Matthew Henson. He has driven home to
the world your great adaptability and the
fiber of which you are made. He has
added to the moral stature OF every in
telligent man among you.
His Is the hard earned reward OF tried
Inv
should be an everlasting example to your
young men that these qualities will win
whatever object they are directed at.
He deserves every attention you can
show him. | regret that 1t is impossible
for me to be present at your dinner My
compliments to your assembled guests.
Booker +. Washington sent this tcle.
gram from TusGcgee, Ala: Fg ..
Am sending you my subscription FOR the
Henson dinner, Permit me to cOnsratu-
late you and your coworkers upon the
wisdom and generosity manifested in pro-
viding the dinner in honor Of our distin-
guished and deserving fellow citizen. who
has by his achievement lifted the race
to q higher level. My congratulations 10
the guest of the evening and to those as
sembed.
The dinner began at s o'clock
Among the toastmasters were James
A. Cobb. assistant district attorney at
Washington: ex.Judge Hiflen w. Gibbs
OF Arkansas; James Curtis. lhwyrr:
Gilchrist Stewart. who led the legal
fight for the Negro soldiers IN the
Brownsville riot: Bishop Alexander
Waters Of the African Methodist Epis-
copal church. the Rev. DR.. w. Fl.
Books OF st. Marks African Met I,odist
Episcopal church. Professor W. S.
Scarborough. president Of Wilberforce
university: tbe Rev. DR.. Reverdy e.
Ransom OF Bethel African Methodist
Episcopal church. Frederick p. Wat
kins and DR.. Marcus r. Wheatland.
president OF the Colored National Med
ical association. .5 .s..
At the conclusion OF the dinner three
rousing cheers were given for Henson
MS 1.-The black man who had helped to
discover the pole FIJI. ...>. 49,.