The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-04-05


former masters by his liberators. was
anything but friendly.
But these things are now happily
passed.
The question is: What is our duty
to the negro?"
He is here in large numbers, and
the two races are likely to remain
here together forever.
1t seems to us that it is the part
of wisdom for the two races to carry
out their respective destinies for
whatever purposes God has in view,
on the very best terms possible.
We think that it is our duty to
hold up the negro's hands in his
struggles for higher attainments.
In his efforts for industrial educa-
ton he should have our kindly sym
pathy.
, We think that he is entitled to a
Square deal' in all our business re.
lations with him.
In this connection it should be spe-
cially remembered that he has never
reared the "black flag of anarchy.
We do not remember that he has
ever engaged in a strike.
AS he rarely sits on Juries he
should be dealt out even Justice in
our courts.
In his efforts towards higher in
tellectual, moral and spiritual devel,
opment he should enlist our hearty
and entire cooperation.
We are glad that Booker T. Wash
ington, who seems especially anoint'
ed for the work in which he is en-
gagged, is strengthening the friendly
relations between the two races, and
in leading the negro along the paths
of industry, frugality, righteousness
and good citizenship, he is being en-
couraged and given a helping hand by
a large majority of the thinking peo-
pie of the south.
We refer with pleasure to the visit
of this prodigy of his race to this
community.
We desire to say that we feel proud
of the splendid welcome of address
that was given him by Judge Bullock,
and in the sentiments therein ex-
pressed we fully concur
We have a letter before US from a
friend of long standing, now residing
in Washington City. and in speaking
of "Ocala's welcome to Booker Wash
ington," he says: MY highest admir-
alton was invoked by judge Bullock's
unsurpassed address"
We do not think that his praise is
too extrayagant The fact that Judge
Bullock is the son of a slave-owner
who served with conspicuous courage
and fidelity in the Confederate ar
mics, gives a greater degree of ex-
preston to the tone, temper and
splendor of his address.
We want to see the very best rela-
lions exist between the two races,
and to that end we shall do all in
our power to strengthen and augment
the same.
In this connection we take pleas
ure in appending hereto the following
letter from the president of Tuske-
gee college:
Tuskegee, Ala, March 25, 1912.
Mr.. Frank Harris, Editor Ocala Ban
ner, Ocala, Fla:
My Dear Sir-I cannot forego the
privilege of writing to express to you
my sincere appreciation of your kind
ly comments upon my visit to Ocala
recently.
You have thoroughly interpreted
the purpose of my visit, which was to
strengthen friendly relations between
the races, and to encourage the color
ed people to make of themselves
good and useful citizens.
What you have written with re-
lspect to my visit is most deeply and
sincerely appreciated, I assure you.
| just have opportunity to write
you. l am sorry not to have been
able to do so earlier
Yours very truly,
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON.