The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-02
WASH NGTON ON
 BIG ANNIVERSARY
TuskeEee Educator suEgents Plans for
 the Celebration of the Semi-Cen- |, tenpisi of Freedom of k Negro Race,

~~~ the Celebration of the semi-Cen- s tenpisi of Freedom of Negro Race.
 Editor The Advertiser:
 In 1913, four years from now. the ne- gro VII have been free fifty years. I have spoken with several white men. and all those with whom have spoken have stated their belief that the anni- versary of this event, which in my opinion was just as important to the South as a whole as 1t Is to the negro. should be fittingly celebrated. At a recent meeting of the National Negro Business League at Louisville. KY, 1t was proposed that l should take the first step in a movement for get. ting this celebration under way. Since that time number of negro organtza- tions and individuals have signified their interest in the proposed exposi- tion and repeated the wish that l should take the lead in the matter. To every one who has asked me to lead or take a part in the task of organizing would do so on condition that 1t have the support. the good will and the cor dial cooperation of Southern white peple, as well as Northern white peo- pie and of the negro race. I have stated further that it seemed to me that such an exposition should show not merely the progress which the negro has made In freedom, but the progress he made before freedom came, In days of slavery.
 Without at this time going further into the details, the tremendous fact stands out that 10000, 900 of negroes in America, the greater part of whom have spent all their lives In the South ern States. are as a simple matter of fact, in material educa ton. moral and religious advancement, a hundred years and more ahead of any similar group of negroes anywhere else in the world. All of the people. North and South, black and white. have had their part in bringing about this progress. Hence 1t seems fitting that such a celebration as Is proposed should not only com mand the sympathy of both black peo- pie and white people. but should rep resent in its results their united ef- forts.
 believe it will be possible to have an exposition representing the progress of the whole race from barbarism to Christian civilization, which will as- tonish the world.
 believe the time has come also when all the people of this country. black and white. North and South. are pre- pared to rejoice that slavery is at an end. If such an exposition as l have l described should be held in celebration | of this event I would advocate that the emphasis should be placed on those things which have tended. not only in ] freedom. but also in slavery, to uplift and ChristianiZe the negro; upon those
 
 what the negro has accomplished be-
 cause of the support and Interest of
 the white people who live in the South,
 the white people who live in the North. | as well as upon those efforts which the
 negro himself has made for the edu-
 cation and higher civilization of the
 race.
 such an exposition would have. II
 would be worth while for the encour-
 agement 1t would give to the members
 of my race in emphasizing the interest
 which the world at large and especially
 the Southern people have in their pro- gress.
 The masses of the negro people are
 better off. in my opinion. in the South
 ern states than in any other part oi
 the world, and for that reason, if for
 no other, the masses. of the people art | going to remain In the South. That
 being so l believe every sensible per
 son will want to do all he can to see l the black man lead such a life here iE
 the south as will make him of the high
 est usefulness to himself and to the
 community in which he lives. Every
 one knows that race, like an individ' | ual, is always more useful when thai
 race is cheerful. A discontented. mo-
 rose and embittered people is a greater burden than any country can aforC
 to carry. Everything, therefore. that
 arouses interest in the development oi
 the masses of the negro race and tends to make them more contented. more | happy. and more useful should enlts
 the helpful sympathy of their neigh
 bora.
 Such an exhibit as I have tried tC | describe will go further toward blot ting out racial bitterness. wherever | ! may. exist than anything which car