The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-03-07

Continued from page ~
RS the seme rights to colored people in
This life. and where they work, and labor
and sacrifice to get on, there ought to be
tho same announcements, for the tears
Flow Just as freely. the pains are just as
acute. and the anguish lies just as deep
beneath the black as under the white
akin. and l tell you. my friends, that In
this day and time when we are all trying
Go learn that great lesson of forebear-
ance, this is indeed a great feeling to
have. DR.. Washington, l welcome you to
Kansas City.
Or. Washington was given a magni-
6cent reception upon being introduced
aud said, in part:
League, Ladies and Gentlemen
81 am surprised and gratified on ac-
count Of the many evidences Of progress
which l ave discovered among the mem
her5 of the Negro race in Kansas City
and vicinity since I was here last. You
have here in Kansas City the most pro-
gressive local Negro Business League
tina have found anywhere in the coun-
try. 1t is studying the actual condition
and needs Of our people right mere at your
doors. and not devoting itself to theoreti-
cal matters. but to actual and practical
matters that cover the industrial, bust
ness and moral life Of the whole COM
munity.
cone Of the things that has pleased me
most has been for the first time to be
taken through the residence section of
the city where our pople live in the
\ largest numbers. 1 congratulate you that
you live in such good houses for the
most part; that the streets are kept in
such good condition; that the city has
been generous enough and wise enough
to provide you with first-class school
facilities. You have mere in Kansas City
some of the best equipped Negro schools
chat exist anywhere in the country; not
only are they among the best so far as
their physical equipment is concerned
but this is equally true concerning the
grade and character of the teaching
body.
Praises Negro Social Center.
"I am glad. too. to note that the city
is providing YOU with the Garrison Socia
Center. including bath rooms and recrea-
ton rooms Of every character. This is
something that no other city in the
Union, so far as know. has provided for
our people. Not only this. but here the
city hospital is thrown open on equa
terms to all races. and Negro doctors
have an opportunity to practice upor
AIItla 1WH DiAA~AAha III A"E AADslAAoAs
"r nave referred to the broad-minded
ness of the white people in this city, t
their disposal to encourage members Of
my race by helping them to climb VI
instead of pushing them down. Til
Hberahty Of the city toward up places {
serious responsibility upon us, the re
spou5ibility of seeing to it that we repa!
au that has been done for us in good
orderly, straightforward citizenship.
A the bottom of progress of ever.
Cn1raCter Is respect for labor. No rae
Of people that seeks to escape homes
tabor can succeed. No matter how mucl
education one has, he should never ge
60 the point where he is ashamed to la
Dor in the field or in the shop or wher
ever it is necessary. There is as mucl
dignity in working with the hands a
there Is in writing poetry or preaching
the gospel. Through business enterprises
and through the schools and churches, W.
want to exert a continual influence il
the direction Of getting rid of idlenes:
ana immortality of every character.
Says clean out Evils.
"A dozen idle men on a street corner
attract more attention han twenty meT
who are hard at work. One criminal car
often damage the reputation and stand.
ing of the whole race. There should bt
= public sentiment created among u!
which will get rid of the idle class, clear
out the dens of sin and misery, get rio
Of gambling and loafing and cause these
classes to so reform themselves as C
take up honorable and respectable labor
above all things we must not get dis
couraged as a race. We are making
progress in all the fundamental things Of
American citizenship. We are growing
in numbers. We have more white friends
both in the North and in the South, thar
we have ever had as a race. We are
growing in intelligence, We are getting
hold of property.
People living outside of the South hear
OF the white man who curses the Negro;
they seldom hear of the white man who
L. friendly to the Negro.
Just fifty years ago we started life
comparatively empty handed so far as
property holding is concerned. Today we