The broad ax., 1923-06-16


Hampton, Va. = Principal J. E.
Gregg, who presided at the Hamp-
ton Institute commencement exercis-
y Is, which were held in Ogden Hall in
the presence of large number of To-
cal and visiting citizens of both races,
presented four candidates for the de-
gree OF Bachelor Of Science in Agri-
cultural Education" which will be
awarded on September /: Harrison ID.
Jacobs, Pittsheld. Mass; Thomas E.
Johnson, Jr., Port Gibson, Miss; D.
Coaken Jones, Savannah, Ga; and
Burke H. Mathis, Boley, Okla
Doctor Gregg presented diploma
to Ellen R. Nicholas, New Haven,
Conn, graduate Of the Normal School
course, and diploma to Estelle M.
Jones, Danville, KY, graduate of the
Home Economics School advanced
course. He also presented secondary
school diplomas to 90 boys and girls
members of the Academy, Agricul-
tural School, Business School, Home
Economics School, and Trade School.
Four more Hampton Institute men of
the 1928 class will soon receive diplo-
mas on the completion Of certain work
which is at present unfinished.
Doctor Gregg presented to the rank
ing scholar, Phyllis W. Calhoun, Of
Greenville, S. c., who had taken the
four-year course in home economies,
a twenty-five dollar prize, which is
awarded annually by the St. Philips
Sunday School of New York This
student also delivered the valedictory
address on The Youth Of the Twen-
tieth Century," in which she stated that
young people today have tedious, diff
hcult, enduring, noble things to do
and must formulate their own creeds
and create their own ideals"
James Weldon Johnson Speaks
That men and women who are will
ing to face the facts of life and learn
the lessons Of truth, may accurately
forecast their future and ultimate sue
cess or failure by observing them
selves with reference to their thrift or
incidence, their sincerity or hypocrisy,
their waste OF time or use of opportun-
ity, and their courage or cowardice,
was the opinion expressed by DR..
James Weldon Johnson of New York,
secretary of the National Association
for the Advancement of ColoFed Peo-
pie, wno delivered the principal adj
dress.
Doctor Johnson referred to the
physical strength and stamina Of the
Negro race and its contributions to
history, both in Africa and America.
The record Of the Negro in this coun-
try" he said, constitutes one Of the
most wonderful pages in American
history. Brought here against his
will, he has, in spite Of obstacles, me-
yer turned his back to the light or
consciously sought the downward
path. He has always continued to
struggle forward and upward. He has
in language, custom, mode Of thought,
and religion become thoroughly
American. Not only has the Ameri-
can Negro served America, but he
has made his contribution to her civil
lization, especially in art.
Il am glad that Hampton has made
home for Negro music; that here It
has been taught; that from here it has
spread; and that here respect and a
love for it have always been nurtured.
It is here that your own Nathaniel
Dett is developing it in a manner
which commands the attention Of the
musicians of the world Negro music
is the touchstone, the magic thing, by
which the Negro is able to bridge all
chasms."
Doctor Johnson expressed the
thought that the personalities Of the
Negro race should be carefully stud
led so that the race may secure its
status Of full and unlimited American
citizenship. For the Negro group the
so-called Negro problem, which IS IN
reality an American problem, is
compound one. in which, according to
Doctor Johnson, the Negro must ft
himself to the very best Of his ability
for all Of the rights and privileges Of
American citizenship and then must
hnd way to compel a recognition OF
those rights and privileges when he
has So fitted himself.
We ought to study thesproblern Of
individual fitness. That, Of course, is
primary. We must see wherein we
ourselves fall short wherein we our
selves do not measure up We must
face that fault and we must place that
blame where it belongs The second
proposition Of compelling the recogni-
ton of rights and privileges, which
corresponds with fitness for them, is
far more difficult as a problem 1t
takes group action. We must be able
to correIate all the forces within the
group-the economic, the intellectual
the moral, and the political forces-in
order 81 hrp.tr dnuvn barriers that will