Evening journal., 1920-01-24
LOYALTY OF THE
SOUTHERN NEGRO
Declarations Of the Tuskegee
Conference Are Made
Public
LOVE OF COUNTRY
is DOMINANT

lng occlafallons'
"Thc world has just gone through a
most unusual year. Though 1t has been
year Of nominal peace, u has been
nllod with anxictics, unrest, disturb
ancss and strife our own country has
suffered from agitation, protests,
strikes and mob violence. The South
is that section OF the country which
was frcest from organized disorder and
yelled attacks against the government
cnd society. This Is due in no small
measure 10 the fact that the masses Of
laborers in the south are Negroes, TO
whom love Of country is dominant.
Contrary 10 anxious and suggestive pre-
Ssiclion. thousands OF Negro soldiers
rrtarned during The year from patrl-
otic service in foreign countries, and
quietly went 70 work In the Southland
despite the fact that this meant for
them returning to conditions often the
very opposite of those they had fought
70 establish for men across the seas
These men have lost none Of their aug
mented desire for freedom, Justice and
fair play; but they have the courage
and faith TO work patiently and peace
ably toward those ends right here In
The South. With their attitude this
conference Is IN sympathy and accord.
And we would encourage c0lored peo-
pie everywhere in their splendid un-
shaken loyalty 10 their country and to
their communities.
we would also urge our people 20
continue to proft by the lessons Of In
dusiry and thrift SO effectively taught
by war condition, and to keep up the
increased impetus 20 acquire homes and
farms. But we would remind them
that. In order 20 make these farms
yield their grestest returns, they must
Intensity their farming and practice dl-
,ersincation. which In recent years has
proved 50 great a benefit TO the South.
And especially does this conference
urge farmers TO grow sufllcient food
for their families and feed FOR their
stock, and 90 raise more and better poul-
try. hogs and cattle. And the rapidly
increasing Importance OF Montgomery,
Ma. Atlanta, Ga, and other places as
leading stock markets, ought In Itself
TO encourage Southern farmers in
growing live stock in greater numbers.
"This conference also suggests that
the greatly increased value Of farm
products and the better wages which
colorcd men are now enjoying should
result in better homes and schools
and churches Living conditions must
be greatly improved among our people,
II they would lay a sure foundation
for future progress. And even with
better homes, there can be no assured
or abiding progress without a decided
Increase In Intelligence among the
- a.
veoled an appalling amount Of isnor-
ance and consequently ineillciency
among the Negroes Of the South. This
lesson should not be lost upon us
The Negro must be educated, or he
,ill be able neither 10 serve himself
effectively nor anyone else. Colored
people must awake to the fact that
less Than two-ihirds Of their children
are enrolled IN the schools even in
such states as Alabama and Virginia,
not to mention the less favored COM
munities And, Of those enrolled, fewer
than one-haif are in school every day
OF lhe brief school terms. In this con-
ncciion the conference urges upon
school boards the Importance Of giving
a larger and falrer share Of the public
funds TO Negro schools 10 the end that
they may have larger and better fa-
ciliiies for the training OF Negro youth
IN intelligence and efficiency. The
south has m The Negro not only an
enviable amount OF tractable and po-
ltentially capable laborers, but a group
Of citizens thoroughly American, who
are eagor to make their best coniribu-
iion % the life and spirit OF the nation.
but IN order 20 give their richest and
best they should be encouraged 10
achieve their highest possible develop
ment
"rhc conference suggests TO planters
Nat they offer more favorable renting
conditions 20 Negro tenants, that they
make \regularly stated settlements and
that they provide more comfortable and
attractive homes. Far too many Of the
plantation houses are no better today
Than they were In the lean years Of 40
years ago. And we call upon all people
who rent or supply in any way houses
for Negroes 10 furnish them better
homes with more sanitary surround
ings. that Negroes may have a chance
20 live and rear their families in de-
ccncy and in health
"rhc conference wishes 10 reaflrm
lis opposition TO the discrimination
practiced against Negroes by railroads
and other common carriers. This dis
elimination Is unnecessary and unfair.
There is an indefensible injustice in
charging Negroes flrstclass fare and
providing them With third and fourth
class accommodations.
This conference believes in law and
order. and asks for Negroes only whts
the courts above other agencies should
give-impartial justice. II Negroes com
nit crimes they should be punished By
ihe courts and not by mobs. We espc-
Glaliy dcplore iynchings, and we re-
state what is apparently too LITTLE
known and seldom regarded. that rape
is not even the alleged cause Of 50 per
cent. OF tie llnchings. We insist that
better and faircr methods must be used
for adjusting 80 many OF the ordinary
differences arising between man and
man than lynchinc and subsequent ter
rorizing u a whole people Nothing is
doing more 10 drive The Negro out OF
me Soulh Lynching is the cure for
nothing 1t merely creates further dis
regard Tor law and order.
"This conference believes that the
DeSI methods - meeting the difficulties
that arise between the races in any
comnunity is % bring together the
leaders Of the Two races in conference.
Ana ve call upon the Willie and col
orded people in every community 20 co
operate and help make the South what
il should and can be Insde-ihe finest
example in the world OF people Of diff
fercDt races living together IN mutual
respect helpful cooperation and