New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-01
EXHIBIT TO INSPIRE NEGRO
National Exposition Planned as
Emancipation Jubilee.

Georgia has had an annual state faIr
for the last six years TO demonstrate the
proyress of the colored people along agrl-
cultural and Industrial lines. This eXhl-
bition has been such success each year
that r. r. Wright, president of the Georgia
state Industrial College for Colored
Youths, proposed holding an exhibition 10
celebrate the fftieth anniversary or the
Emancipation Proclamation. company
was formed of which Mr.. Wright WAS
made president. and 1t was called 'ne
American Emancipation Exposition Com
pany. A bill providing that the national
government should give $2JO.oOo towaru
the cost of the semi-centennial exhibit mas
already passed the Senate and is no"
among the list OF those whose frlehoS
watch them hopefully TO see If they VIII
go through before Congress adJourns'
OF the proposed exposition Mr. wright
says:
Tho desire for this celebration is so
strong that in a number OF states there ~
a movement on foot 10 hold an indiNldudi
exhibit Several of the states nave III
ready appropriated sums ranging as nlsh
as 500 900 for the purpose. We believe
however. that the semi-centenniai expos
ton should bo held in the South, where
the great bulk OF the colored people ~
We believe that such an exposition would
be a very great inspiration and aid to the
colored people throughout the Soutn.
There is 10 place in the country where
the colored people need such an encour-
agement as they do here In the South.
Having been identified with the agricult.
ural and Industrial progress Of the colored
people for the last twenty or more years,
| feel sure that this movement can be
made a success.
W. T. u. Du Bots. Of New York. director
OF the National Association for the Ad-
vancement of Colored People. is serving
as thirtieth vice-president and statistcldn
OF the Exposition Company. He appeared
before the Senate Committee on EXPOSE
tons before the Till had been reported
out and quoted some interesting facts 10
show what cause the negro population mas
for celebrating the progress of nifty years
In 1853 eight-ninths of all persons oi
negro descent In the United States were
chattel slaves and 81 per cent were Hitter
ate To-day two-thirdS of the colored pop
, ulation can read and write.
or the advance made by the negro, Mr.
Du Bots said:
Fifty years ago these people were not
only practically penniless, but were them
selves assessed as real estate. In 1903 they
owned 10000 homes, and among these
about $4,000 farms. or more than one
fourth OF those they cultivate. Negroes
day conduct every seventh farm In the
land and raise every sixteenth dollar
worth Of crops. To-day the negro Is d rec
ognized part OF the American government;
he holds $3.50 offices in the executive civil
! services Of the nation and In the state and
municipal civil service at least ten thou
sand more.
Mr.. Du Bots told also how many
churches schools. colleges. hospitals and
| orphanages were supported by negroes, and
added:
Above and beyond this material growth
has gone the spiritual upft OF a great
human race. From contempt and amuse-
ment they have passed to the pity and per
plexity OF their neighbors. while within
! their own souls they have risen from
apathy and timd complaint TO open protest
and more and more manly sell-assertion.
In view OF these changed conditions Mr.
Du Bots says the advantages Of such an
! exposition as proposed would be twofod.
| IL would encourage the cOlored people 10
| great accomplishment In the future. and
| IL would call the attention OF the WHIT"
| people TO the fact that the cOlored people
! are not criminals and loaiers. but, on tn"
whole worthy, striving citizens
Mir Du Bots thinks movdbi" exhibit
which can he shown month or more IN
! eight different cities. would be better IMAM
| "A stationary exposition. which would need
| grounds and costly buildings and whlch
many poor persons could not AFFORD 10 go
| TO see