Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-07-24
PORTSMOUTH NEWS.

Portsmouth, Va, July 14.-Tho
sixth annual meeting of tho Virginia
State Negro Business League came
to II close tonight after Il two days
session with an address by DR.. En-
nett J. Scott of Washington, ID. G.,
Secretary of the National Negro
Business League. DR.. Scott in his ad
dress reviewed the history Of Ne
gro business development during tho
past twenty years under the stimu-
LUIS o fthc National Business League
which was organized by the late
Booker Il. Washington to promote
the commercial and financial dcvcl.
opmcnt Of the colorcd people Of
America. DR.. SCOTS address in part
follows:
1t was during the month of Aug
ust, in 1900, when the country had
been stirred by race riots at New
Orleans, La, New York City. and
Akron, Ohio that the Sage of Tuske-
gee invited samll group of colorcd
men and women to meet in Boston
70" the purpose OF organizing a Nat
.onaI Negro Business League 10 pro
mote the commercial and financial dc
Velopmcnt Of tho Negro people OF
America. At that first meeting, few
courageous spirited vcntured forth,
not to indulge self-laudation but to
take stock of the Negroes achieve.
mcnts in tho world OF business dur
the years which had followed upon
freedom. There was hut little OF what
may be called rampant emotionalism
but there was II great deal Of what
right serious, sober talk.
For the first inc in the history OF
the world black men had come togcth
or to appraise themselves, financial
ly speaking, to exchange cxepericnc-
es and to work out Il program for
the commercial development of their
race. Colorcd bankers, farmers, mcr
chants, miners, real estate men, UNI
dcrtakers, BARRIERS, gathered at that
first convention. The sessions were
business-likc aud hopeful. There was
recognition on every side that the SO
cur!ty Ind progress of the Negro
people in this land must depend up
on tho Development Of moral and
all industrial capacity to make them
useful and independent. Booker Wash
ington's famous dictum, Freedom ia
n conquest and not bequest," was
accepted rs the slogan Of the hour.
Social and industrial unrest is
sweeping over our country: 1t is n
symptOn Of the times no. to DO
is.orcd. The country is in upheavel.
kfiorts have been made to set race
against race; labor against capital;
employee against employer; farmer
against tenant; the stronger against
tho weaker; men of high roputc
against men OF low reputc. We color
cd Americans have been compelled
TO bear more than our share Of in
justice and discrimination at q timo
wnpn it would seem that II over be
fore in the history Of our country
wo have proved our right to fair play
to square deal. During the war we
placed the fruit arG flower of our
raco upon tho altar Of our country's
need. Every call for man power was
answered by eager hundreds OF
black men who Ionnod the uniform
to go forth as 4 defender Of our coun
try's honor. VI
Anti-racial outbreaks have stirred
hostiitics and done much to destroy
former relations OF good fellowship
between the races. Present conditions
il not halted may become dangerous
anu ildlllllIlS. IL Is necessary lncIc
fore that the real leaders of both
races should seek in every way pos
siblc to stabilize the present situation
The races are not hopclcssly hostile
toward each other. If our ideals
and professions arc not moonShino
and hypocrisy, then Il pcaccablc solu
ton will certainly be found. I con
fcSs there is much in the record t.
discourage optimism. 70 take the
war period lone: During 1917 and
1918 the colorcd people of America
gave Il demonstration OF patriotic
loyalty, efficiency and courage uneX-
cclcd by any other element OF our
poulation. Democracy was at stake,
yet during those critical years 100
colored men and women were lynch
ca in the United States, more than
ever before during like period. That
was discouragng and not much more
encouraging during 1916 and SO faI'
during 1920.
l am not Respondent over the out
look. Tho situation is serious but
not desperate. ~ healthy sentiment
III favor OF fair play is growing up on
many sides. Wise and courageous
leaders OF both races arc now con-
tending that the first and biggest
task of democracy is to keep her own
house in order. 1t is vain to talk
ideals. unless we practice justice
And in the final triumph of justice
/ never lose faith.
What the Negro wants with all his
heart, and what America will proud
ly concede him, / do believe, can be
stated very easily.
In substitution for lynchings, hot
wants justice in tho courts; he
wants the privilege OF serving on,
jurics; the right to vote; the right
To hold office; like other citizens. He
wants better educational facilities,
abolition of tho "Jim Grow" car and
Of discrimination and segregation IN
the Government service. tho Same