The Washington bee., 1910-01-01
NEGRO EXPOSITION
soth ANNIVERSARY OF FREE,
DOM
Editor, The Bee:

nave received SO IIdily lCltSl ,
recently regarding the proposed cele-
Eration in the year 1913 of the ff-
ieth anniversary of the freedom OF
the American Negro that l deem it
wise to ask you to permit me to use
your columns in making some reply
20 these letters rather than in trying
10 answer each one individually.
ation has already been called
70 the importance of some. kind of a
celebration to take the form of an
exposition OF something else. Of
sourse, in order to have such an ex-
position, it is of the first Importance
Ehat it have the recognition and sup
sort of the United States Govern
nent as we'll as that of as many
states as possible, for without the in
fuence and help of the central gov
srnment it would hardly be possible
10 have an exposition that would re-
EeCt credit upon our race.
Having all this in mind, the whole
matter of such an exposition was
carefully put before the President of
Me United States, and after consid-
sring the whole subject with great
care, manifesting the deepest inter
est, it was thought best by President
Taft and others who consulted with
him that in order to secure the con-
kdence and support of the American
Beople that the whole matter ought
10 be taken up in a dignihed, order
b way and that this could best be
accomplished through the appoint
ment of a preliminary and temporary
commission by the President, author
ked by Congress, such commission
10 be composed of men of such ripe
and wide experience and reputation
Aat their recommendations would
carry weight. 1t would be the pur-
pose of such a commission to study
carefully the whole subject, and if
deemed wise TO recommend the hold
ing of such an exposition, to map
sut in a general and comprehensive
scheme for same. This would prove
he basis for an appeal to Congress
and to state legislatures and philan-
Glropic individuals for such support
as would create an exposition that
would command the respect and con-
hdence of the world.
Accordingly, a bill has been pre-
pared and introduced into both the
House of Representatives and the
u. S. Senate carrying out the sug-
gestion of providing for the appoint
nent of a commission. President
Taft, further manifested his interest
n the proposed exposition by. refer
ring to it in the most complimentary
way in his recent message. It is be-
deved that the bill introduced into
Congress will pass early in the pres
ent session.
In order to insure the success OF
Ihe exposition, it is important that
We proceed carefullyS and systemati-
sally. No hasty, ill-considered plan
Bill command the respect and conf
dence of the American people.
I wish to say in this same connec-
non that it is important that the race
be patient while these plans are ma
turing. In the end it will be found
that every element OF the race will
receive proper recognition and be
given an opportunity to take part in
the exposition. So far as the selec-
lion of individuals to take the lead
ership in the matter is concerned,
nothing definite has been done; only
preliminary committees have been Sc
lected with a view of getting matters
IN shape 10 present to the PRESIDENT
After the passage of the bill now be-
fore Congress and the appointment
Of the commission by the President.
there will be plenty of time for all
organizations, denominations and in
stitutions to receive proper recogni-
ton, and l am sure that this will be
done.
Nothing can be gained, but much
lest, By any attempt to take short
cuts and by doing those things that
call attention to little side issues that
have no possible chance to succeed.
We need in this matter the united eff
fort of all elements of the race, and
the evidence SO far points to the fact
that the race is more united on this
..b;a-t than II has ever hReu IN sauv