Dr. Washington’s Address.
September 14, 1907
Summary
In a talk in Louisville, Booker T. Washington encourages blacks to use “every right guaranteed by the law.”
Transcription
Dr. Washington’s Address.
The address of Dr. Booker T. Washington, delivered at Louisville, Kentucky, Friday, September 6 ’07 was especially significant in that he openly advised citizens of color in this country to contend for every right guaranteed by the laws of this country. Coming as it does from the foremost Negro leader in this republic, the advice is especially deserving of attention. He urged, however that this be done in a conservative manner. He was optimistic as to the future of the race and used strong language in dealing with those who explicated the wrongs practiced upon us to the exclusion of the things that are being done in our favor.
We can readily see the force and effect of such reasoning. He made a great effort and the vast concourse of people there present were not slow to see it. We are becoming more and more impressed with Dr. Washington’s attitude upon great questions. His past record has not been such as to please us when vital issues were under discussion. He has been wise in his day and generation, but we are gratified to note that his attitude now is in consonance with the demands of the times and in keeping with the advanced ideas now generally accepted by every conscientious, self-sacrificing race leader in the United States.
The address of Dr. Booker T. Washington, delivered at Louisville, Kentucky, Friday, September 6 ’07 was especially significant in that he openly advised citizens of color in this country to contend for every right guaranteed by the laws of this country. Coming as it does from the foremost Negro leader in this republic, the advice is especially deserving of attention. He urged, however that this be done in a conservative manner. He was optimistic as to the future of the race and used strong language in dealing with those who explicated the wrongs practiced upon us to the exclusion of the things that are being done in our favor.
We can readily see the force and effect of such reasoning. He made a great effort and the vast concourse of people there present were not slow to see it. We are becoming more and more impressed with Dr. Washington’s attitude upon great questions. His past record has not been such as to please us when vital issues were under discussion. He has been wise in his day and generation, but we are gratified to note that his attitude now is in consonance with the demands of the times and in keeping with the advanced ideas now generally accepted by every conscientious, self-sacrificing race leader in the United States.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Benton Camper
Citation
“Dr. Washington’s Address.,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed February 19, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/858.