Milford chronicle., 1910-07-08
BOOKER 7. WASHINGTON
MAKES ADDRESS here

When Booker 7. Washington stepped
upon the platform in front Of the Natl
onsl Hotel in Milford. just before the
noon hour last Monday morning, an
audience Of five hundred people blocked
both Walnut and Front Streets, and it
WAS with difficulty that those on the
outside were controlled and kept from
crushing those in front. The day was
exceedingly hot. and he spoke briefly
but pOintedly on the uplift OF his race.
Or. Washington is at the head Of Tus-
kegee College, in Alabama, and is the
foremost worker in education Of his
race. He spoke usder the invitation Of
the Business Mems League, and his
fret address was made in the Opera
House in Wilmington on Sunday. He
then was taken by special train to
Georgetown where he spoke Monday
morning IN front Of the Court House.
The next speech was at Dover, then
st smyrna, then at MiddletOwn, New
ark and New Castle.
Dr. Jason, principal Of the State Col
lege at Dover, introduced him to Mil.
ford, and DR.. Washington, IN his sd.
dress, said:
Il have learned that success is to be
measured not 80 much by the position
that one has reached ia life as by the
obstacles which he has OvercO ne in
trying to succeed. The cOlOred mans
disadvantages is his advantage IN this
country, providing he is willing to
work industriously and lead an upright,
clean life The black man has and is
making progress, and that, too, in spite
Of many Of the things that seem to
hinder. All will have to admit that
success is being made by the race.
1T is this message that l bring to
my race in Delaware: Be honest IN
whatever you undertake to do, and,
above all, get character. Let US do our
duty and l might add little more than
our duty, for 1t is the individual or race
that does that is respected. We do not
want a race of weaklings l am in
formed, and that reliably, that at least
40 per cent Of the farmers in this State
are black men who own their homes /
A race that gives evidence OF such thrift
has splendid opportunity to help
build securely for the future.
"The purpose OF my visiting this
State is to inspire my race to greater
and higher endeavOr. The black man
will solve whatever problem there may
exist just in proportion as he makes
himself indispensable to the commu'
,itv ir, " hiph he lives We want to de.
velop a race that is contributing some
thing as a factor to our civilization.
"The country or rural section is the
best place for the race to develop its
highest and best possibilities at this
period Of our racial development. We
as a race must get hold upon the soil
and see to il that we rear our children
in that same atmosphere. City life Is
and has proved a menace to many OF
my race. We can best thrive near the
soil that produces strong men, physic-
ally and mentally.
mo class can hurt a race so much
as immoral leaders, hence this race OF
mine must develop class OF ministers
and teachers clean and upright and,
while we are not discussing politics, l
cannot refrain from saying that have
equal contempt for the man who buys
8 vote as the man who sells it,
DR.. Washington was accompanied
the State by number OF promi'
nent members Of the cOlOred race from
New York, Philadelphia, Washington
aud Maryland, about fifty composing
the party.