The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1909-02-26

The Negroes in Nashville are the
equal of any in the country from any
point of view taken. This city has
long boasted of being the Athens of
the South. Her public school system
is second to none, and modern meth
DDS are being introduced from time
to time. Her colleges and universi-
ties are known all over the country
and in foreign lands. In view of
these facts the outside world natural
ly expects to find here a thrifty en-
terprising people working harmoni-
ously along all lines They expect
for the Negroes in Nashville to be en-
gagged in all lines of business and
each man nulling for himself first
and then for his neighbor. In other
words, they expect the Negroes of
this city to be enterprising and loyal,
and to have to grasp every effort put
forth for the benefit of the race. and
ioin their brethren and help push
these movements to the highest point
If man is looking for city to
locate in and engage in business, he
would without a moments hesitation
decide to come to Nashville and cast
his lot On coming here if he should
by chance be merchant, he would
first inquire for the business league
Headquarters, and what would the an
swer be? He would be informed that
the business league is taking a quiet
snoo7e He would probably ask about
the Organization known as the. Busi-
ness and Professional Mems League
to receive similar reply, or he might
be informed that the infant BODY
never did get on long pants. Such
is Nashville's plight so far as her
business interests are concerned. The
men are doing business and none of
them are making assignments. So
seldom does a Negro concern fail in
Nashville that the whole city is
stirred when it happens. Nothing is
THOUGHT or said of white man fail
ing hut the Negro men who go in
business here do not fail This truth
establishes the fact that they are well
balanced men, and if organized and
active they could be Of great help to
each other and criterions to thousands
of others who are struggling in an
effort to stay on their feet.
When the National Business League
met here about five years ago the
men engaged in business were organ
lied on short notice and the visitors
were startled to see such an array Of
sturd. r"crc' onts; and even the citi-
zens and business men of Nashville
onened their eyes when they saw the
front they were able to make. Great
strides have been made along all lines
Business enterprises have been estah-
lished and are meeting with rare suo-
cess. and every dav some new concern
is throwing open its doors to the nuh-
lie There were no banks here then
conducted by Negroes; now there ave
prastically two There were three
nriuting offices then now there arc
FIVE No seating and cabinet manu-
featuring plant: now there Is one: No
architects. now several: one live"v
stable now three: no marks. now two
assured. And so it goes on and on
The NeorOes here are a slIrnrise 70
themselves; but the outside world i"
move greatly SURPRISED tn SEQ oil of
th'e material nrogress teni under =
hole hushel II cannot he oharoed r.
se1hshrNes for these mon are tho Vow
hest of friends: nor can IT. he charged
IN ignorance for thpv are mer of more
tNnr average intelligoncn Tho Tu"s-
tion would be asked then what is the