The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1910-06-30


New Orleans and Akron had each
painted sombre picture of racial
fiction and planted in the hearts of
many the seeds of dark despair that
two races so utterly unlike In racial
characteristics should ever be able to
live together side by side, there gath
cred at Boston small group OF ear
nest, sincere black men who came to-
gether to take stock, to do something
to overcome the rising tide of racial
antipathy which apparently was
sweeping over the land.
They came together in the spirit
Of men who know the possibilities of
the race, for they had tested their
own feeble wings and were learning
to fly; they knew they had at least
in part succeeded, and they believed
that hundreds of others had also sue
| cceded, and that II they could put in
evidence the tangible evidences of
success, chat the world would refuse
to deny them that consideration
which 1T ever pays to him who labors,
and though faltering, at times sue
ceedS"
I'VE are a hopeful people," contin-
ued the speaker. I'VE must continue
SO II we are to win. Earnest protest
| against injustice will be expected of
us, but lamentation, never. AN inch
| of progress is worth yard of COM
plalnt, spoke the epigrammatic Tus-
kegeean, and the truthfulness Of the
| statement we all recognize with an
plaude. Each us as an individual
IS an architect constructing the future
OF the Negro race, and by our sue
cesses and not by our failures should
we be judged.
DO not depend upon the first page
news columns Of daily papers for in
| formation as to the status OF the Ne
gro. Sometimes to read them one
would judge that the south Is In dead
| ~ eruption, and that hostility to-
| ward each other, and friction between
the races is the rule ana not the ex-
fept1on. All of us know how erro-
neous such conclusion would be. T
nave heard your men, men gathered
mere today, declare time and oft that
In their efforts to work out their sal
Walton they have had the earnest
sympathetic cooperation, and in
many cases, assistance of their white
neighbors, who have manifested q
pardonable pride In their triumph
over their difficulties. Nothing has
become more helpful at our annual
meetings than testimony of this char
i acter.
I'VE have had from the beginning
ol our freedom, as I believe we shall
always have, the sympathy and the
good will, and the active encourage
ment of the stronger forces in our
southern life. The most influential
the most learned, and the most aristo.
cratic of white people Of the south
nave never been ashamed to lend a
helplng hand, nor to speak out reso
luIely "hen feactfonary programs
Tor our undoing have been proposed.
we are not without friends right
mere IN the south, at our very doors
men who may be reached as reached
tney are In our endeavor to up1ift
ourselves. In every part of this, our
common section growing element Of
brave, courageous, men are COMING
10 the front, not so much in defense
VI the Negro, as of justice and fair
pay between man and man, as be-
tween him who is the stronger and
MIN who is the weaker. These men
huSt be encouraged. We must not
make thelr positions untenable bv
failure to recognize that while VIC
nave rights, duties and responsibili
Ties, and that as precious as are OH,
/ rights duties and responsibilities
are infinitely more overshadowinp
we must lessen criminality amonp
us. We must preserve reputation
as reliable, dependable labor force
we must cultivate spirit of inter
ldependent responsibility, and we must
De IN the highest and truest sense
wholly loyal to the best interests n,
ourselves, our state, and this, on,
country"
Resolutions pointed and direct
touching matters of moment to tbe
I nation and the south were presented
oy Kew l.. w. w. Mannaway. the
secretary of the committees The
rouhd OF gaities incident to the meet
ing or the League was a notable fe..
'"re or the meeting, the League pron:
Jerry concluded it's session with o han.
quet TO the visitors at the Carnepio
Library. -