The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-07-22

for the purchase Of supplies and
equipments and were more or less
prosperous as long as cotton could
be grown at remunerative prices.
After the decline of the price of
cotton, the planting of orange groves,
the discovery of phosphate and the
manufacture of turpentine, furnished
remunerative employnlents and at no
time ave the negro population of
this county been menaced with want
or the fear of want and the pauper
list has been exceedingly small.
1t will be seen from the accompany
ing article of Mr.. H. G. Shealey, sup
erintendent of schools and they have
not been slow in availing themselves
of the educational opportunities offer
ed them.
Churches, even more than schools,
are scattered over the county, and
it may be truthfuily said that they are
ia church-going and church-worship-
ing people. Religion is one of their
chief enjoyments and negro preacher
does not know what it is to preach to
empty pews.
In an extract from a speech recent
|ly delivered in the congress Of the
United States, Hon. Bourke Cochran,
member of that body from the state
of New York, drew the distinction
between the treatment of the negro
North and South The distinguished
orator said that in the North he is
allowed to vote but is not allowed
to work. In the South he is allowed
to work but is not allowed to vote.
The negro, he said, has wisely
chosen the latter and as a result was
acquiring property and is experience
ing many of the enjoyments of life.
Speaking for this particular section
of the South we are privileged to say
that the negro is not only allowed to
work bur is also allowed to vote; that
be is unmolested in his various meet
ings, gatherings and co1vocations, and
the more frugal and Industrious ones
have acquired and are still acquiring
property
Any number of them live in well
built and well furnished houses, sup.
piled with all the modern conven-
fences: bath, toilets, gas, electric
lights, and many of the other para
phenalia that add to the comforts and
Injuries of living.
A number of the homes are two
stories, tastefully painted and the
grounds are ornamented with grass
plots and flowers
They have their religions, benevolent
and fraternal associations and organi-
cations, their social functions, and
take it an in ALL they are as happy
and contented race of people as are
found anywhere.
Citing Ocala as an example, we are
privileged to say that they have seven
or eight churches, one a large brick
edifice; number OF them are ex-
pensively furnished.
They have moving picture show.
meeting lodge, a dance hall, a bank.
two pretentious hotels, a number of
boarding houses. several mercantile
establishments, one department store
which the present proprietor has been
conducting for upwards of twenty
five years. realty company, shoe
shops, butcher shops, garage, mum
Der OF long established contractors
and builders, and until the recent
death of the owner, moss factory, a
cotton ginning establishment, a vel
vet been huller, a grist mill and
three story brick knitting mill.
That Is the way the colored popu.
lation of Ocala live and have their
being; that is the way they have I'M
nolested, acquired homes and bust
ness occupations. and in doing which
they have been encouraged BY the
native whites, and we have no reason
to believe that Ocata is an exception
from the balance Of the South.
In short, we are permitted to say
that the most friendly relations exist
between the two races and those
coming here for the purpose of invest
ment or location need have no appre-
hension Of race conflicts.