The Denver star., 1914-04-11
By RALPH w. TYLER.


gardinS lynchings in this state many
of the people of the north regard Mis-
sfssfppi as hopeless area for the col
ored race. If you should come to the
state and especially to this city, see
the wonderful progress being made by
the race note the feeling existing be-
tween the two races and observe the
fine residences and splendid business
establishments owned and controlled
by colored people you would at once
conclude that the traditional bark Of
those persons who aim to hinder our
progress is not taken so seriously by
the colored people in this section.
There are twelve colored lawyers in
this city, and each one is doing excel
lently well. Wherever a colored law
yer can succeed it is fair advertise
ment for locality as Offering oppor-
tuntties to the race. Wherever you
find an even dozen Negro lawyers reg
tster1ns high water mark of success
you have the proof of opportunities for
race Development These men are not
professional race solvers: they are
quiet consistent, earnest solvers Of the
problem. or the 22.6OO population of
this city 13.56O-more than haff-are
Afro-Americans. who have $35O,OOO In
vested in business enterprises and who
pay taxes on $1,000 600 worth Of real
estate.
Men like l.. X. Atwood and w A
Scott. who have developed respectively
successful bank and successful in
surance company. and able attorneys.
second to none. like Perry w. Howard.
W. ]. Latham and S. A. Beadle. who
are constantly engaged in every line
OF thought and action to improve the
race. and a successful physician, drug
gist and lawyer like s. d. Redmond.
whose holdings. exceed the half hun
dred thousand mark. and a virile edi-
tor like E. r. Topp are alone sufficient
to develop, an oasis in any desert.
have been to but few places where
was SO much impressed with the help
full activity wealth producing ability
and Intelligence on the part Of our
race as here in Jackson.
| predict that. Mt the rate they are
progressing. the Negroes in the next
quarter OF century will own more
than 20 per cent of the farm acreage
in this state and more than 40 per cent
of the city property and will more
than split even with the white man in
the control of business. Race preju-
dice in this state is now more largely
because of the wonderfully rapid ma
terial and educational advancement of
the race than because of inborn race
hatred. The success which the colored
people have achieved in the face of
the most active and virulent race dis
elimination in itself argues for the III
innate disenthronement of race dis
elimination
This city is the headquarters of one
old line insurance company operated
by the race and several mutual com
panies. all of which are successful.
Pharmacy. bakeries. groceries. con
tracing. banking. printing and tailor
ing are few of the business activi-
ties in which the race is engaged.
There are two public schools. with a
corps OF twenty-five teachers. and
Campbell college. of which Dr. W. T.
Vernon is president. and twelve
churches give some indication that the
moral and spiritual man is not at all
neglected. The churches as rule are
splendid editices. well attended and
have well educated ministers.
1t IS estimated-and Investigated to
make sure-that the Negroes in this
city have sSOO.oOO on deposit in the
banks. This, with the value OF their
real estate and personal property.
gives the race in Jackson per capita
wealth OF $129. AS Frenchman
would say. 'That is magnificent" and
especially SO when you stop to reflect
that Mississippi as 8 state has perhaps
done more to stop Negro progress than
ing but progress here. encouraging, in
Spiring progress. and such men and
women as w. A. Scott, l.. X. Atwood
s. II. Redmond. Perry w. Howard. d
w. Turner. II. ]. johnson. q. 4. Fra
zier Il. r. Topp. w. j. Latham. S. A
Beadle. H. r. Risher. James Boyd,
Mrs, Lucille Miller. Cora McClain. Mrs.
w. j. Wade. V. T.. Reuben and others
are the ones who are leading In this
uphuilding Of race In this city and
state
was much impressed with the or
derly manner In which nil Negro bust
ness enterprises are conducted here
and the amount of energy. intelligence
aud personal service injected In each
aud all Of them. The Negroes of the
north need not lose amy sleep over the
future or the race In this section IL the
progress shown in this city Ia typical
of the progress being made through
"i. the south Jackson is Il regular
beehive. tiii.si with working hees. nu
drnnes Here y"m lind the Negro push
Ing. not whining.