The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-03-05
Louisiana Governor Address
es Negroes.

Baton Rouge, La, March 3.-Gover-
nor John M Parker, was given an
ovation when he was introduced to
address the Colored people at South
ern University on the closing day of
the farmers conference which advo-
Gated better farms, and efficient SER
vice on farms.
Governor Parker was introduced by
Prof ]. S. Clark, president of South
ern University, as the governor of all
the people in Louisiana, as a man who
believed in justice for all men. Prof
essor Clark considered it an honor to
have so many representative white
men present, those who desired to en-
courage the Negro in his efforts to
lift himself up.
1t was fully five minutes before the
governor could speak, because of the
cheers.
II am planning to push a plan" said
the governor, that will give us a great
agricultural college, right here near
Baton Rouge, where the farmers of
the state may learn how the various
products to sustain life may be pro-
duced, and to make it the greatest in
this country. We will teach men to
the farm and not away from it. We
want to teach them how to test the
grain, before planting it, to know
the value of the soil, what to do to
improve 1t. In all or these things we
are going to have experts.
The Negro farmer need to know
how to plant, and huRv 90 rerulize the
soil and what kind of seed to purchase
I favor department of chemistry
where soils will be studied and q
knowledge of seed riven, and this
will be in our school. and your people
will get the benefit of it. You will be
able to send to the institution a spe-
cimen of earth, and then we can tell
just, what to do in order to make II
produce"
"I don't know of any class Of peo-
pie in history who have made the
progress the Negro has made in the
past 55 years. In your native land
there has not been any progress made
in 300 years. This all historians tell
us. They are still practicing the old
customs, wearing the same kind OF
.garments--in fact, they are not going
forward at all. But you are making
good here.
When I took the oath of office, !
declared there I would uphold the
law. I am governor of all the people
cency; stand for perfect justice fol
everybody"
81 want 20 be perfectly plain ant
frank with your people. Too many
get rid of the criminal element in youl
race. Just 4 few of them make 1t hare
for the whole race. That crapshootinl
whisky drinking, lazy element in YOU
race VINO don't work commit crtmt
and then seek shelter at your hand
they handicap your race. They are 6
! liability to the community and state
but those of you who buy homes, rem
| der honest service, are an asset.
You must see TO 1t that your chill
dren take advantage of the school.
that are opened to them, for an educa
| ton, man is a man who can be ap
pealed to. He will reason, and he II
the man who Is welcomed in any
community, regardless of his race ol
color.
Your salvation is in your hands
You will be just what you make your
selves. We are willing to help yol
when you help yourself and show {
| disposition to accomplish something
to make of yourself law-abiding citi
zens.
"I want to see you help to get ric
of the lawless element in your race
I want to see the Colored people a.
well as tile white people determined
10 see tn e law and order prevail
throughout the state of Louisiana
want you to see to 1t that all ar
kept busy. l want you to realize yo'
owe the state something, and tina
something should be done by you be
cause OF the opportunities which hav
been given you to lift yourself up.
IT am willing to help your peopl
when you deserve help, and will 81
tho full extent in doing so, and
viii be just as severe on you as an,
ether class OF citizens when you d.
not deserve holp. On this you ma
count"