The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1913-03-14
ANOTHER SIDE OF The LIFE Of
HON. A. 0. SMITH
Minneapolis, March 3, 1913.

Minneapolis, March 3, 1913.
Editor Twin City Star,
Dear Sir:-Reading the foregoing
article in your issue Of Feb. "a inst,
concerning Mr.. A. o. Smith Of New
Orleans, La, he is styled as "a very
successful business man and q man
striving for the uplift of the race" In
this article Mr.. Smith admonishes all
those Interested in race uplift" TO
make places for boys and girls that
come yearly from our many colleges.
Mr.. Smith has no doubt gained
recognition from those who know him
and those who have read of him, for
being a very efficient business man
race builder. In the account OF his
life and his climb to success the noble
parts and bright spots Of his career
are brought out, lauding him to
heights attainable only by those who
strive to follow their teachings to the
best Of their ability. Mr.. Smith makes
no mention, while speaking Of his
private life, of the fact that in 1879
he was married to one Martha Elma
Weaver Of Carthage, Ind, and that
four children. two boys and two girls
resulted from this union.
He does speak, however, Of after
moving to Iowa, he received the idea.
in 1894, that he could be Of more
service to his people in another sec
ton of the country where he could
perhaps better serve their needs
Thereupon since duty of race up
litter" seemed stronger than the duty
Of parent, he chose between them
obeying the call of the former. How
ever Mr.. Smith Is to be commended,
on his great success in his business
enterprise and his broadcast advoca-
ton of race uplift," but who will not
agree with the writer that "charity
begins at homer" Was there not q
wide field for racial uplift" where his
two daughters and his two sons We're
concerned? Would not his success
have been complete, had he exercised
as much fervor in furthering the op-
portunities for their education; as he
has in admonishing other parents, to
look to the education Of their child
ren2
Mr.. Smiths eldest child was four:
teen years Of age and the youngest
only six when he conceived this great
idea in 1894. It has been nearly
twenty years now since he made the
slightest effort to see that his child
rem had even the bare necessities
not to speak Of the higher accomp-
lishments and the higher education.
The tired little mother reared them
with tender hand and aching heart
to sturdy manhood and womanhood
while the father strove for the up
lift" of other mems children. A mute
ear was turned to their appeals and
wants while he toiled incessently for
fame and what men might think and
what men might say Of him, while
the respect and love due him from
his children in appreciation for his
lofty aspirations waned into sickening
disgust. The writer firmly believes
that more men should strive to be
successful business men and race
leaders but their efforts should be-
gin with their own flesh and blood.
Mr.. Smiths children. namely. Mrs.
Cora Smith Henry, formerly of st.
Paul, now residing in Pittsburg, Pa.
Mr.. Burl D. Smith of st. Paul, Mimi,
Mr.. Ed. R. Smith Of Seattle. Wash,
and Mrs. Garnet Smith Penn Of st.
Paul, Mimi, nevertheless unite in &C
cording him the honor due him for
his great success. Since Mr.. Smith
has achieved fame, are his children q
charge from God-not wothy Of his
mention; or would they be cloud to
mar the clear horizon Of his glory,
they being respectable men anu wom-
en-? Should the tired little mother
who climbed the rugged road Of life,
dragging four little lives with her,
silently, uncomplainingly and unceas-
ingly, not be accorded q place in the
hall Of fame with race builders?"
Wherein does the "uplift" lie?
Mrs Garnet Smith Penn.
ga Fuller St., st. Paul, MINI.