The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-01-05

Last Sunday afternoon and evening
Nashville Negroes had an oppoortu-
nifty to listen to two addresses by that
famous author, lecturer and schol-
arly statesman, DIR. B. F. Riley. of
birmingham, Ala. The lectures were
held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church and
st. John A. M. e. Church. Several Of
the leading white men of the city
city were present and expressed their
highest approval of the views ex.
expressed by the speaker, words
which are most strikingly character
lstlc OF the man. He said 10 part.
On Monday Dr. Riley visited the
Ministers Conference and made 4
snort talk to the members of that
pody. He left Monday night for
MS home in Birmingham, Ala.
i am particularly gratifed that the
ulstance which lies between the
stormy days of the past and the pres
ent is SO great that l can come here
ana be with you on this occasion and
under these particular conditions.
For sixty-five years the Negro has
neen IN the eyes of the American pub
Tic and am here today to speak not
ior the purpose of arousing any feel
ing (for l don't want that, not for
the purpose of creating agitation, not
10 pander to the feelings of either
race Tor applause, but it is absolutely
necessary that things be said frank
ana am going to speak in lust that
way. | am not coming in a bullying
way, am not coming with a chin m
my shoulder, | am not coming to get
you to applaud me. am here with
message in my heart and for three
years nave been devoting NV time
10 the study and investigation of this
great question that relates to the two
races living in the South Whom
IN Iexas, the thought came to me as
10 what could be done. The aues-
tlon was what could be done in order
that the situation might be helped?
gave up my situation and entered
the work with blind faith. i beI
lleVed that there was work to bo
done, and that could be done
only by d Southern white man
knew that one of your race could
not do 1t. Then / knew that no
other but a Southern White man
would be eager to grapple with the
situation, say the things necessary to-
say, not in a hostile way, take all
the varnish off, and talk the things
right out as facts are.
nave gone throughout the South
and | find that there are two classes
OF whites as well as two classes of
DlacKs, and all over the countr,
among the best classes of white
there is a strong sentiment favorab
TO your peop,e The time has cor
TO not only say but do. ALI oy
the country men are speaking 4
Tor you, in every possible way
at every opportunity. Yet signs
untaVorable. One of the great
dlihcultles encountered is the impr
sion made concerning you throl
the press saying the Negro is a or:
rascal, low down brute, murderer.
This impression has gone North
the other sidH were presented, il
other facts were exploited, if I
were weighed one against the OF
tney would come to different COZ
slons. Seldom does the press menta
the news of the great progress tha
is being made by the Negroes. IL
the Negro has done so much in
half a century in the midst of dis
what can he accom-
plish if these disadvantages are
removed? 1t was predicted that
the Negro would go back to Worship
ping cats, snails, gophers, etc; he
decided not to 60 that way. He had
to make the opportunity, contending
for every inch of ground. What
have you accomplished? He owns
100000 Plantations, has paid for 4OO.-
900 homes, has built 2S0O schools
owning rs banks, making a great sa
cess of it, and paying taxes on six
hundred milllor dollars worth Of
property.
What the Negro needs is to bett
MS condition, to have an equal
oortunity with other men. He~
serves it. There is accorded
Dago, the Greek and others W
lot accorded to the Negro.
so many people say there is
LANCER of social equality. Ask
What social equality is. The
class white people Of this coz
nave no such fear as that. They
lot afraid Of being hurt by the
gro. You connot get a first
white man to feel that way, bt
IS another class.
There are two principles On
proceed.-one is gratitude te
9olored people for what they4
lone. Another is the simpleu
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