Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1909-08-20
DR.. WASHINGTON s
ANNUAL ADDRESS
Speaks Before National Negro
Business League at Louisville,
KY, August IL. at 8 o'clock, p. m

Negro Business League:
In coming together again for another
annual meeting Of the National Negro
Business League. we have some reasons
70 congratulate ourselves upon the sue.
cess of this organization. When we
had our Rrst meeting few years ago
there was comparatively little interest
among our people in business, CONNER
cial and industrial enterprises. This or
ganization has grown during these years
to the point where hundreds of our best
men and women now come together
representing all parts of the country,
for these annual meetings. We have at
least 500 local Negro business leagues
scattered throughout the country.
When we began work there were a
few drugstores owned and controlled by
black people. Now we have nearly 200.
A few years ago there were only about
= half dozen Negro banks in the coun-
try; now there are AZ. Drygoods
stores, grocery stores and industrial en-
terprises to the number of over 10000
have sprung up in all parts Of the coun-
try.
A little more than forty years ago,
when the Negro was made free, he had
almost no acres Of land. Now he has
an acreage nearly as large as New Eng
land. Then he had almost no homes;
now he has 400, 900 homes. Then he
had few farms; now he has 200, 900
farms Then he had no insurance
companies; now he has IS. Then he
had no undertakers; now he has several
thousands. When the American Negro
was made free about 3 per cent. could
read and write; now 81 per cent. can
both read and write. Then he had few
churches; now he has $4,000 churches.
Our work is not yet done. The years
that are to come are to bring US, in my
opinion, even larger dsgres of success
and encouragement
The greater part Of this progress has
taken place in our Southern States,
right in the midst of the people who
once owned our bodies. Here. let me
add, this growth could not have taken
place unless we had in each one Of
these Southern communities not few
white men who have believed in as
and stood by US and stimulated and
encouraged us. The Negro who lives
in the South, as well as the one who
lives in the North, should learn to love
his home and the community in which
he lives, and take as much interest in
promoting its welfare as any other citi-
zen. A few days ago, in conversation
with a gentleman who has travelled
widely in Africa and in other parts of
The world, including the United States,
he remarked to me that the Negro in
America was at least one hundred years
ahead of the Negro anywhere else in
The world. We ourselves, as we'll as
our neighbors, do not always appreciate
the growth that is going on among US
lay by day, SO gradual is it. Races, too
'ften, like individuals, yield to the
of noting their troubles and
and overlooking their
successes and their opportunities.
In an increasing degree we must be
an optimistic race. There is no hope
for a despairing individual or despair
ng race.
Since our last annual meeting / have
through the States of Missis-
slppi, South Carolina and portions Of
Virginia and West Virginia for the pur-
pose of seeing for myself the actual
of our race. Everywhere
noted progress marvellous progress in
many cases. Much Of this progress in
lue to the stimulus and guidance furn
shed by the National Negro Business
League. This organization has sue
,eeded and will succeed because it has
. constructive program and not q de-
structivesone. A constructive program
IS the only one that will hold men to-
ye her and make work for the common
cause. In the Southern States which l
visited I found cohesiveness and one
ness ofpurpose which was most inspir-
ing.
ALBA NOTES.
Mr.. and Mrs Baker of Buxton were
the guest Of Mrs. Marry Harris Sunday