The Washington herald., 1909-05-27

! an delighted 20 tninks because
have been in the South good deal Of
! late. and have studied some OF the con-
ditiOls there. that they are getting better
and better for the negro race in certain
respects that are not published 70 the
world. but that really affect very much
the conditions OF those who live there
In al the growing communities OF the
6Outh-I mean where there is g touch OF
the modern. and a touch OF progress. and
a touch Of eivilization-the white men
OF progress are beginning 70 appreciate
the advantage OF having class ike the
colored men that they have there They
are anxious that they have an industrial
education
Useful in Community.
They are anxious that they should
make their way and show their useful
ness in the community. The truth is that
the greatest hope that the negro has. be-
cause he lives chiefly in the South, Is
the friendship and the sympathy OF the
white men with whom he lives in that
neighborhOod- know Il Is not the habit
70 think 50. but II Is growing, and one
OF the things that Glisleads Us most is
the desperate, the extreme statements
O. white men from the South or the sub
ject, but really they don't mean what
they say. They are the last people that
want TO be taken literally. They have a
theory that it may give them sometimes
q little boost politically 20 talk in ex-
tremes and superlatives. but have heard
expressions from leading negroes IN va
Tious cities that confirm my judgment
that the situation is growing better and
better
7 remember hearing Rev. Dr.. Wal
ker. that negro who went abroad and
preached IN SpurgeOn's pulpit and was
worthy to preach in that pulpit. express
his friendship for the white people of
Augusta. where spent five or six weeks.
and express his view OF the proposition
that the negro race should be moved TO
some other country than his. He said
they were mighty well satisfied 20 1--we
In Augusta until they went 10 glory. and
that they did not want TO 90 anywhere
else until they did go TO glory. That IS
the same sentiment I found In Charlotte
and in Petersburg.
Il don't mean 20 say that there are
not exceptions. I mean 10 say that those
communities that are moving forward are
moving forward with keen eye 70 prog
ress, and that they realize the advsnt-
age they have in the presence Of the ne
gro race who are almost their only lab
orers.
We have a gentlemen at the head
OF the James trust fund who tells
a good story. He said be was in one
OF the towns-I think il was In North |
Carolina-where they were bringing IN
some italian immigrants. and that an
old colored man there inquired as 10
what they were doing. He said they were
white men who had come into tie coun- /
cry from abroad Why he said, we've
got wide men enough already 70 work
for-we can't do any more
Progress of the Race.
Now, the fact is that the progress Of
the race IS outlining Itself with great
clesness, 70 me az least. IN making itself
a useful part of the community whsre it
is, 50 that II shall not only awaken al
aItruistic spirit or spirit Of humanity but.
what is q good deal better 10 tie 10. shall
awaken the economic spirit OF those with
whom you live and who value your serv-
ices as members OF the community and
know how much you add to its success I
by being there, and being valuable men, |
bers OF that community in accumulation, |
in your providence, and IN making the /
homes that are made IN q successful CON- /
munity OF negroes IN the South
at seems 20 me that tbs future is IN 4
the hands Of the race itself. I co not 4
mean 10 say that crueIties are not TO 4
exist IN the future and injustices. and q 4
great many reasons why complaints i
should be made against the inhumanity 4
OF man, but do mean 70 say that there 4
never has been a time n the history OF
the negro race when the future offered 4
such q basis for belief in your success
as a race, and for the belief that you
have il in your hands 10 make that sue
cess. as II IS to-day
Everything that can do ii the execu-
tive n the way OF helping along this 4
university expect 70 do. expect 10 do /
il because I believe It Is a debt OF the 4
people OF the United States; il is an obi 4
cation Of the government OF the United 4
States, and Il is money constitutionaIly /
applied 70 that which shall work out IN 4
the end the solution Of one OF the great 4
problems that God has put upon the peo-
pie OF the United States"
When the President ceased speaking ]
the audience began 10 cheer, the ovation I
lasting several minutes. President Thir-
kieid held a consultation with Mr- Taft
Then he announced the President had /
agreed 10 present the diplomas
Garfield Is HOnOred.
President Thirkield said commencement
exercises at the various colleges Of the
university had been held in the last few
days. and diplomas presented, the degree
students waiting until the last day 10
hold their exercises He announced the
faculty had determined 20 confer upon
James a Garfield. former secretary Of the
Interior, the degree Of doctor OF laws, IN
gratitude for his interest in the work Of
the university.
Secretary BallingeT was introduced, be-
ing referred 10 as one who would continue
the good viii extended the university by
the former incumbent OF his Office.
The Secretary OF the Interior spoke
briefly. telling OF the strides made In the
last thirty years by the negro race. and
saying that the American public IS com
ing 70 2 realization OF its obligations TO
the negro. He urged that not only should
money be contributed for the education
Of the UolOred people. but that an inter-
est IN their welfare and their institu- \
tons should be taken He predicted the
day when the negro race would attain /,
a plane. through education, equal in many
respects TO that Of the white race.
Degrees Of bachelor Of arts, bachelor Of
pedagogy, bachelor Of theology. doctors
OF medicine, dental surgery. and phar-
macy, and bachelor Of laws, were pre-
se2ted to the students by the President.
each graduate receiving his parchment
from the hand Of the Chief Executive. h
together with a smile and a nod Of en-
,ourag cement The heads Of the various /
called the names OF the
graduates. who fled on the platform be-
fore President Thirkield. and then Presi-
dent Taft
Degrees Are Conferred.
Those who received dIplimas were:
Racheln- Of arts EarSins-a u p1..