The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-08-17
Gospel OF
Optimism! Il! m
IS PREACHED BY BOOKER WASH.
lNGrON TO NEGRO BUS
., NESS LEAGUE. .
1000 Hear Him:
Gives Statistics Showing the Eco
nomic Progress Of the Negro in
Arkansas and Other States of the
South. ..-.

r. Little Rock, Ark, Aug 15.-Preach-
Ing the gospel Of optimism that has
made him famous, and melting the
members Of his race to economy,
thrift and the highest point of excel
lence In Industrial and commercial
pursuits, Booker Washington, lead
er OF the Negro race, principal of the
famous Tuskegee Normal and Indus
trial Institute, delivered the twelfth
annual address before the National
Negro Business League, which potent
organization he founded twelve years
ago. - ..' ...... . .-s.., -, i...----..-.-.
Assembled in the Kempner Theatre
to feal his address was an audience
OF about 1000 people, composed of a
large number Of the best white peo-
pie Of the city, representative Me-
groes of the city and state, and mem
bers OF the organization, IN the
course OF his remarks, DR., Washing
ton said: - ~ J..
. This session marks tn twelfth
year of the existence of the National
Negro Business League. While it is
among the youngest of our national
Organizations, I think We have lust
Cause to feel proud OF it's growth,
success and influence. Starting in
simple way, it has now grown to the
point where 1t brings together at
these annual meetings the strongest
and best men. and women of our race.
In connection with the national Or
ganization, there are now. In existence
about six hundred local leagues
scattered throughout the United
States. -, t@ vv ,..... go" -. i:
The peculiar value of this league,
however, 1s. AQt in the size t.of the
national fzatton noFEfn the num-
EhaBr rof tte,sq,aks In the work,
and influences Of the league in turn.
Ing the attention of members OF our
race to the rich opportunity that lis
right about them IN their own com
munlty for Industrial and business
growth. The value of this league
consists mainly in the new spirit that
II: mas put into the race-a spirit
that turns the impossible to the pos
sibleI from that which Is artificial
and unstable to that which is natural
and enduring. ..--.. ....-..-. ;! .-~,.-....
THE National Negro Business
League, too, Is unlike many other
organizations in the fact that it is
not secret organization; It has no
grips and passwords, and offers no
sick and death benefits Nor Ia this
IN any sense a political organization.
Let me add, too, that the Business
League is not in opposition to any
other organization that Is meant to
help our race, but stands ready to
help and cooperate with all other
worthy organizations.
Il am glad that we are holding
this national meeting in the city OF
Little ROCK and in the State Of Ar
Kansas. In no other State has the
league from the very beginning Of
Its work had more loyal and active
followers than in this State. From
the first we have had the SUPPORT
and influence Of that honored and
successful man. IL Bush, and his
IOuiIaueS In Arkansas.
For another reason I am glad
that we have assembled IN the State
Of Arkansas because in few If any
other States have the Negroes made
greater progress, and there are few
II any communities where the white
citizens are more just in their treat
ment Of the Negroes than is true Of
the city Of Little Rock. The interest
OF the white people in the colored
people Of Little Rock is shown in
the fine school system provided for
our race, and the numerous oppor-
tunlties afforded our race to secure
and to promote business and indus
trial enterprises. Without firm and
loyal white friends the Negro could
not have made the progress that he
mas made In Little Rock and through
out the State Of Arkansas.
Il sometimes fear that too many
OF our people are so active I'm ad-
Vertising our disadvantages that
they fail to rightly appreciate our
opportunities. / would not, how
ever, be understood as meaning that
on proper occasions and in O. proper
manner, that we should not protest
against wrong; that we should de-
pend mainly for our success upon
constructive efforts, rather than
mere protest. For a few minutes
permit me to go into particulars as
TO the conditions and opportunities
and the progress Of our race in the
state Of Arkansas. Let me use the
state Of Arkansas as an example
or what IS possible for the Negro in
practically every one Of our South
-oHn sStatssb to say nothing of oppor-