The Washington bee., 1909-08-21
Business LEAGUE
DIR. WASHINGTONS ANNUAL
ADDRESS


Speaks Before National Negro Busi-
ness League at Louisville,
Kentucky, August IS, at
8 O'Clock, p. m.
REPORTS RACIAL PROGRESS
Urges that Steps be Taken to Cele-
byate the FffieH AHHiVerSdry OF
Freedom of Negro People
Louisville, Kentucky, August I9.
Officers and Members of the National
Negro Business League:
In coming together again for an
other annual meeting of the National
Negro Business League, we have
some reasons to congratulate our
selves upon the success of this organ
ization. When we had our frt meet
ing a few years ago there was COM
paratively little interest among our
people in business, commercial and
industrial enterprises. This Organi-
zation has grown during these years
10 the point wher ehundreds of our
best men and wmoen now come to-
gether 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 drug stores owned and control
led by black people. Now we have
nearly 200. A few years ago there
were only about half dozen Negro
banks in the country; now there are
n. Dry goods stores, grocery stores,
and industrial enterprises to the num-
Der of over 10000, have sprung up
in all parts of the country.
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 England Then he had almost
no homes; now ne has 100000 homes.
Then he had few farms; now he has
100000 farms. Then he had no in
Surance 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 Then he had few churches {;
now he has 10000 churches. Our
work is not yet done. The years that
are to come are to bring us, in my
opinion, even a larger degree of sue
cess and encouragement.
The greater part of this progress
has taken place here in our Southern
States, right in the midst of the peo-
pie 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 Commu-
liiies not a few white men who have
believed in us and stood by us and
stimulated and encouraged us. The
Negro who lives in the South. as we'll
rs the one who lives in the North.
should learn to love his home and the
community in which he lives, and to
take as much interest in promoting
Its welfare as any other citizen. A
few days ago, in conversation with
a gentleman who has travelled wide
" 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 our
selves, as we'll as our neighbors, do
rot always appreciate the growth that
Is going on among us day by day, so
gradual is it. Races. too often, like
individuals, yield to the temptation of
noting their troubles and disadvan-
tages and overlooking their successes
and their opportunities.
In an increasing degree we must
he an optimistic race. There is no
hope for despairing Individual or
despairiug race.
NOTES
ORIGIN OF THE BUSINESS
LEAGUE
The National Negro Business