The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1910-12-29

ious to learn writing and reading. l
have been to the homes Of many col
ored people andsI have found them
cosy, comfortable, elegant, and peo-
pied by happy and. harmonious faml-
lies. I have been struck by the
enormous progress which the col
ored race has made. But a few
years ago the-eeiered race was liv-
ing in the stone age; today it has
begun to live In the age of electrici-
ty. l made the acquaintance of
some colored boys who have a wire
less installation made by themselves
on the roof Of their parents houses
and who talk to one another by
marconigrams. Wherever I have
looked, 1 have found evidences Of
culture, learning and prosperity.
THE NEGRO,S CASE STATED. AND
MIR. BARRIERS PLAN OF
SALVATION.
Having been over many Of your
institutions and through many of
your homes and having talked to
many Of your most prominent peo-
pie and to host. OF others 1 have
come to- the conclusion that there
ought to be bright future for the
colored race. have come to s the
conclusion that the colored race is
oppressed : and. prosecuted, very
largely because 1T lie not known. I
have come to the conclusion that
the enemies OF the colored race
would change their views and their
r
have seen. .~--'---,-.-. -
Therefore, I wish to take them
over the road which I have travelled.
II the colored people Of the country
are ready to help me, am willing
to put their case, honestly and fear
lessly, before the public, both in Eu-
rope and in America. / do not in
tend to write book in the ordinary
way on the race prob lem. Too many
books have already been written and
their value is scman, because each
book gives only, the views Of one
single individual = would like to
take the civilized world to the homes
and institutions Of the colored peo-
ple-aRd, to -syy,A- say, : personally intro
duce the civilized world to the best
among them. ----
But cannot do. this single hand
ed,' said Mr.. Barker. 'If the col
ored people wish me to help them,
they must enable %me to help them.
They must supply me with the in
formation I require Let every man
and woman who reads these lines
write to me in care Of Prof. Kelly
Miller, Howard University, Wash
ington, D. G. I Wish your people to
give me their views and experiences
wish them to tell2 pae of their sue
cesses and or their sufferings. !
want OF know Of their opportunities
lost and gained, and to learn the
methods by which they have
achieved their wonderful results.
HUMAN DOCUMENTS MUST TELL
THE NEGRO'S LIFE STORY. =
Il require human documents" de-
clared Mr.. Barker. II do not wish
to write merely OF the tsufferings and
successes Of the colored race in gen.
eral terms, but to supply. human
documents. l wish to illustrate the
progress of the race by individual
cases. l want to be able to show
tnat one man who, maybe, was born
a slave, raised himself up to opu-
lence by hard work and" thrift; that
another who was born in poverty
ana Ignorance arrived at scientific
emlnence by his own unaided ef-
forts. | wish to tell the world of
the~s suHeringS and complaints of the
colored people in their own words,
as regards their business, law, lynch
ings and general treatment:
i require not only facts, but pic
lures. Let your readers send me
any photographs which they would
like the public to see. l would like
the civilized world to see the best
types Of the colored people and give
pictures Of their homes, their
schools, their churches and other up-
hitting institutions. | should like
to show the colored people at play,
at church, and in their gatherings.
II your readers will supply me with
That information, | think something
may be done to help your people If
they do not, / shall not publish any
thing on the race problem. 1t is
for your readers to say whether
they wish me to put their case be-
fore the European public Or not. /
shall be glad to have the ministers
and teachers everywhere, as we'll as
the newspaper men of the race to
call general attention to this move
ment, urge their constituents to
send in responses at once along the
| line Indicated"
BOOKER r. WASHINGTON, ''THE
WORLDS GREATEST ORA
| TOR" A.
| Have you met Dr.. Booker r