The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-05-15
MAYOR AND STAFF TURN OUT TO
HEAR COL. SIMMONS in BRYAN
HAMPTON HOLDS AllNIVER-
SARY EXERCISES.
Prominent White and COlored
Men Meet and Discuss New
South.


Hampton, Va, May 13.-Willlam
Howard Taft. former President Of the
United States and president OF the
Hampton Institute Board of Trus-
tees. in his address delivered before
twenty-five hundred white and Colo
ored citizens, assembled for the fifty
second university exercises of this
pioneer Industrial school. whose pres-
ent Principal is DIR. James E. Gregg.
declared that with clearer vision and
greater hope. men of the South have
come to take a very different view
Of the race problem" Mr.. Taft add
What a relief it is how soothing.
how helpful to visit Tuskegee and
Hampton and to meet there those
who are drawn together to create
opportunity for a race that has had
a determination and Courageous purs
pose to overcome the obstacles that
have confronted the race!
mo one can give even casual at
tention to the changes that have come
over the South in the last ten years,
without realizing that we have today
a New South-new in its material
progress. new in the spirit of pro-
gress of thise who are responsible for
it's growth and development, and
therefore new in its attitude toward
many of the problems that have con-
fronted them in the past. Men in
respect to which their attitude in the
past seemed rigid and immovable.
General Armstrong, Booker Wash
ington, and Hollis Frissell taught
the Negro race that the only method
by which they could get on was in
the dignity. of labor, or industry of
thrift, of self sacrifice, They taught
that the way TO overcome prejudlce
was for the fake TO appeal to the
enlightened selfishness of those with
whom they were to live in the South
end prove to the people of the South
cord to the Colored people rights
civic, rights political. rights business.
and equality of opportunity.
south Condcmns LynehiDg. as.a.s
THE lynching lust is only an evil
dence that among individuals of any
race are those who are near the
brute. Instances of lynching, dis
tressing as they are. should not dis
courage us. The growth of public
opinion against them goes on a
pace. You find as strong voices raised
against them in the South as you
do in the North I would preach to
you a doctrine of well-founded hope
not dream, but what the present
is now producing
I'VE can turn to the progress of
the Negro and to the opportunities
that are now offered him to- better
MS condition, with SATISFACTION and
a joy that helps us in our discourage
ment over world conditions. I bid
you to go with the spirit that you
have gained at Hampton"
Confidence In Negro Race.
Homer L. Ferguson. president of the
Newport News shipbuilding and Dry
Dock Company. who is also trustee
Of Hampton Institute, declared that
Colored labor is remarkably like any
other kind of labor. 'Tt is intelli-
gent. 1t is loyal. 1t responds en-
tirely to sympathetic and honest
treatment. 1t saves its money in
about the same proportion as other
people. The difference in habits be-
tween the races as to thrift Is not
nearly so great as you are some-
times told. The great advantage of
the Colored men is their desire to own
a piece of ground. Those who own
ground make for the safety of our
and our Republic.
Leaders YOU should be. Leaders
you will be Hampton has turned out
many fine leaders. Remember you
must lead. because you have acquir-
ed and pursued the art of thinking.
1t is important to lead in the art
Of working and in the art of doing,
In industry and promptness. and in
standing by the dob and being stead
Continued on Page 81.