The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-08
Booker t. Washington
Tells 1000 of His Peo-
pie to Stay There.
GREAT MEETING
AT AUDITORIUM
Governor Mann, Mrs. Munford
and DR.. Mitchell Plead for Sane
Leadership, Good Health,
Schools and Moral Up
lift-Big Problem
Easy to Solve.


tho soil.' was tho message Dr. Booker
r. Washington brought TO 1000 mem
hers OF his race assembled last night
in tho City Auditorium under tho
auspices OF the Negro Organization
Society OF Virginia. He took up the
advice given by Governor Mann. Mrs.
b. b. Munford. Or. s. c. Mitchell and
leaders OF the negro race In this state
and drove 81 home In n way that wont
straight to the hearts Of those who
heard him.
The South Is tho best place In the
whole wide world for tho black man
10 live said Dr. Washington. Here
no IS understood and hero he under
stands tho white man. The negro is
at his best on the farm and at his
worat in tho congested cities. Teach
your children to get close TO the soil
Education for tho black mar is
needed. but education means nothing
can digeat and usn that which hc
learns. Make yourself Industrious. a
worker Above all. make yourself re-
liable. Let your promise be as a law
10 YOU"
Unprecedented Gathering.
Attracted by the opportunity OF hear
ing the speakers and by the spirit or
the new movement for the negro race.
one or the greatest audiences or col
ored people that ever assembled In Nir-
ginia crowded into the CITY Audito-
rum, completely filled tn. main floor
and overfowed into the balcony. on
the platform, rlassed behind the
speakers, were leaders of the race and
200 men and women. who sang during
the evening with wonderful harmony.
Many white people occupied seats in
one section of the fioor.
The meeting was the closinr, event
OK the first annual convention or the
Negro Organization Society. which is
ifi1Ge up or REPRESENTATIVES from Tho
various colored fratcrnal and religious
associations In the State, II has for
it's purpose the promotion OF the health
and happiness OF the negro race, the
binding OF all Its forces into co-opera-
tion. an am!cable adjustment OF the
race problem. and the development of
better schools, better health. better
homes and better farms. Ey Governor
Mann. Dr. Washington, and other
speakers the meeting was pronounced
TO be almost without precedent.
II could not make people in Europe
and In certain parts or this country
believe that such 9. meeting as this
could be held" SAID Dr. Washington.
that leading white men OF Virginia
would come here to discuss with the
noting his welfare and bcttcrinE his
relations with the white race
sympathy OF Whites Needed.
Tho white people can help this
movement by sympathy and under
standing" said Mrs. r. H. Munford
president, OF the state .Co-operative
Education Association. The best thing
we can do for the colored people Is to
believe In them. We must help them TO
help themselves, But you must get
organization, unity your desires and
place your trust in your sane leaders"
President S. C. Mitchell, OF the
Medical College OF Virginia. urged tile
necessity for better care OF the negro
health. He pleaded for moro interest
On the part Of the negro race in SAN
itation and education.
II believe in the big four said lie.
public schools, public health. public
roads and public libraries"
In introducing Governor Mann, DR.
ii. B. Frissell, principal Of tho Hamp-
ton Normal and Agricultural Institute
anticipated the remarks made by Gov
crnor Mann and DR. Washington In re-
gard to the kind Of education beneficial
TO the negro. The right kind oe edu-
cation for the black race is essential
he said, but 1t must be the kind that
makes them better workmen and puts
q sound mind In sound body.
Ignorance not a cure for any evil
the white people must remember" lie
said.
All the speakers paid tribute to the
courageous administration OF Governor
Mann, his sympathy with the negro
race and his belief in the black man.
II am here to congratulate YOU upon
what you have already accomplished
and to bid YOU not be satisfied with
that" said the Governor. You must
not stop In your efforts to improve
your minds and bodies. True progress
is but the continual conversion OF pos
sibilities into realities. You have here
in tho Negro Organization Society a
sane scheme to make known your
wants and to organize your endeavors.
So far as / am able, pledge you tho
help of the Commonwealth in your
efforts.
There are not enough farmers in
Virginia. Make yourself better farm
crs and then go back to tho soil. Above
all. be Industrious. No, not idle.
My constant prayer is to make
every homo in Virginia a God fearing
and healthy home"
UpIift Depends ON Negro
j. NJ Candy. executive secretary OF
the society, gavoo brief resume of the
work. already done by his organlza-
tion. Tho Negro Organization Society,
he said, is patterned after the State
Co-Operativc Education Association
and aims to do for the colorcd man
what that association has done for the
whites.
The real progress OF tho race de-
pends upon the negro himself" said
Dr.; a. A. Graham. OF Phoebus. chair
man OF tho executive committee OF tho
society "Of course, we cannot push
ahead without the constant help and
guidance OF the white people, but In
me cna the result rests with us.
Virginia, the pioneer State. must
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