Milford chronicle., 1924-06-20
HELPING NEGROES TO SELF
BETTERMENT

seemed to have reached its highest
crest, J. Silas Harris, who at that time
was president of the Negro State Tea
chers' Association of Missouri, con-
ceived the idea of forming some kind
of organization that would aid in
stemming the tide of opposition to Ne
gro citizenship and Negro manhood
and wOmanhOod
After months of earnest thought
and conferences with some of the
ablest men and woman of the race,
and of correspondence with leading
journalists, educators, ministers and
statesmen of the white race; after the
holding of many state conventions, it
was decided to issue a call for a ma
tion meeting of representatives from
all of the states, to the end that un-
form nationwide movement be set
in motion.
In 1909 with the aid and advice of
Governor Hadley, of Missouri. a call
was issued for a national convention,
and the governors of all states were
asked to appoint delegations of their
ablest Negro men and women. St.
Louis was selected for the holding of
the convention, and Governor Hadley
in a forceful address set forth the
aims and objects of the convention,
urging the colOred people to unite and
strike out for higher ground among
the civilized nations of the world.
He congratulated the race upon
their progress along all lines Of moral
and material advancement, and stress
ed the need of education and religious |
training as a means of securing for |
themselves a firm foundation in all of |
the worthy activities of the national |
life of America. Delegates from ev-
cry section of the country were in at
tendance, and their deliberations Gre
ated a favorable impression.
The tWenty-sixth annual convention
of this organization opened June IS,
in Philadelphia for a six-day session.
In a recent communication to this
newspaper, President Harris said:
I'VE are meeting to work out some
plan or plans looking to the better
ment of the Negro race. We have no
quarrel with God because He did not
make us white, nor have we any fight
with the white man because he does
not take us into his bosom. To make
the Negro a better citizen and a more
useful factor in the worthy activities !
Of American life is our one great l
aim" q
An idea of the common-sense atti- G
tude actuating these conferees may be
gained from the following resume of c
the chief subjects that will come be- O
fore the meeting: 4
Are we given an equal opportunity a
in the field of industry with other Am c
erican citizens? If not, why not? c
To what extent does the lack of
contribute to the crimi Il
nality Of the Negro? How can this be e
remedied? C
Will the emigration Of the Negro b
from the south, in its final analysis II
prove a blessing or a curse to the G
race? Il
Are there too many Negroes living iC
in the cities? If so, how can they be a
ured back to the soil? 81
Does the present system of educa- Nj
ion fit our youth for the responsible fC
ties of life and of citizenship? I;
Is the church losing ground in its l!
ight against the allied evil tendencies G
If the present generation? c.
Is the lack of unity" among Ne
groes responsible for the existence of m
hose intolerable conditions of which id
he race hourly complains? 81
Will legislation or public sentiment W
destroy lynching? Which? How can in
We secure the enactment of the one hi
ntO law or create the other? NJ
Are we justified in our fight against fiji
'esidential segregation? Al
Why do so many Negro business en-
erprises fail? W
Is the rate of mortality among Ne CT
,roes greater than that of other races NJ
living in America? If so, what is the m
ause, the prevention? We
Will the ownership of homes give pc
is anchorage in community life? M
AS Senator Capper, of Kansas, re- 50
emily said, this group numbers
mong its membership many of the w
eading colored people of the country, in
nd is regarded as one of the strong ro
st organizations dedicated to the ad- vi
of colored people and the by
reation of better understanding be- ed
ween the races" Pl
Undoubtedly, one of the most en- c.
ouraging facts connected with the eli
resent state of inter-racial matters tn
4 this country is the increasing num- ev
err of members of the Negro and tr.
-hite races who are able to see their ev
ifferences and mutual interests in ed
road and intelligent manner 1t is alb