The Colorado statesman., 1922-02-11
(By VIM. Anthony Aery.)


HAMPTON, Va, Feb. 10, 1922
n That suspicion and lack of con-
fidence between races breed
hatred, retrogression, and war; that
confidence and faith breed friendship
progress, and peace - these two
thoughts underlay the Hampton Insti-
tute Founders Day address, which was
recently delivered by the Rev. DR.. An
son Phelps Stokes of New York, for
mer secretary of Yale University, sec
retary of the Phelps-Stokes Fund, and
well-llnown author of religious and his
torical pamphlets and books, to large
and appreciative audience of white
and colored citizens that assembled in
Ogden hall to pay tribute to the con-
tribution which Gen. Samuel Chapman
Armstrong who founded Hampton In
stitute in 1868 and served as its prin-
cipal until his death in 1893, had wise
ly made, not only to Negro and Indian
education in the United States, but
also to education throughout the
world. Human Improvability Under
the Influence of Education, Work and
Religion" was Doctor Stokes theme
Dr. James E. Gregg, in introducing
Doctor Stokes, referred to the dist1n-
guished visitor as IL lifelong friend of
Hampton Institute, as Il scholar ana
writer, as discerning philanthropist.
and as a great administrative officer
of a great university, who has gener-
ously served others and won well-mer-
ited honor.
Need of Racial Understanding.
"The white man." said Doctor
Stokes, basing his faith on the wonder
full progress of the black man during
three centuries, must follow his own
wisest leaders in the South in showing
more faith in the improvabillty or the
Negro Similarly the black man must
increase his faith in the improVablllty
of the average white mans attitude TO-
wards inter-racial problems and needs,
basing his faith on the slowly Dut
steadily growing fairness OF the Whlte
man towards him, and especially the
advocacy of his rights to equal treat
ment before the law by that far-Sght-
ed and increasing group of southern
ers such as Curry, McIver, Mitchell,
billiard, Alderman, Jackson Davis,
Weatherford, Eagan, Alexander ana
Beckett, cooperating with Sympathel-
ic northerners such as Howard, Ogden,
Buttrck, Frissell, Mckenzie, HUBBARD
Ware and Gregg, and supported more
and more by the independent press OF
the South. There will, of course, De
differences of honest opinion, both as
to what is possible and desirable
there will be no lack of honest critl-
cism; the debate will not cease, but
let the whole discussion of inter-racial
matters be carried on in the hopelul
spirit of goodwill.
Evidence of Negro Progress.
"That the Negro in just over half a
century should have increased ms
homes owned from $1,000 to 6oo,ooo'
of farms operated from 10000 TO l.
100000. of businesses conducted from
2.1OO to 10000, of literacy from ~ TO
so per cent, of teachers from 600 TO
$4,000. of voluntary contributions TO
education from $4,000 to S2,T00,OOO, OF
churches from 700 to $4,000, of Sunday
School pupils from $4,000 to 2,25O,0OO,
of church property from S1,oOO,oOo TO
$4,000, ,OOO-this is an extraordinary
record full of reinsurance to those VINO
like to believe in human improvablllty'
During this difficult period of re-
adjustment the Negro has malntaineu
his religious faith and increased ms
thrift, improved his capacity as
skilled worwman, developed selt-re-
skilled workman, developed seiI-re
educational opportunities have been
suitable and adequate, strenStheheh
his character and his capacity Tor the
wise leadership of his own people.
"The Negroes actual progress in tne
past is my ground for faith in ms sun
greater progress in the future-espe-
cially now that inter-racial committees
of the wisest men of both races III
nearly thousand localities are meet
ing regularly throughout this great
Southland to discuss frankly speci1ic
local problems of race relationships