n
Liberia and Hayti. For years, both in Liberia and Hayti, literary
education and politics have been emphasized, but while doing this the
people have failed to apply themselves to the development of the soil,
mines, and forests. The result is that, from an economic point of
view, those two republics have become dependent upon other nations and
races. In both republics the control of finances is in the hands of
other nations, this being true notwithstanding the fact that the two
countries have natural resources greater than other countries similar
in size.... Mere abstract, unused education means little for a race or
individual. An ounce of application is worth a ton of abstraction. We
must not be afraid to pay the price of success in business--the price
of sleepless nights, the price of toil when others rest, the price of
planning to-day for to-morrow, this year for next year. If some one
else endures the hardships, does the thinking, and pays the salaries,
some one else will reap the harvest and enjoy the reward."

Just before his closing words he said: "No matter how poor you are,
how black you are, or how obscure your present work and position, I
want each one to remember that there is a chance for him, and the more
difficulties he has to overcome the greater will be his success."

Perhaps the most significant speech at this conference, next to that
of Booker T. Washington, was that of William Henry Lewis who is
probably the foremost lawyer of the Negro race in America. Mr. Lewis
is a graduate of Harvard where he distinguished himself on the
football field as well as in the classroom. After graduation from the
Harvard Law School he served with distinction in the Massachusetts
Legislature, was appointed Assistant United States District Attorney
for the Boston district by President Roosevelt, and became Assistant
Attorney-General of the United States under President Taft.

In opening his speech Mr. Lewis said: "I do not know why my
fellow-citizens have chosen me for this honor, except to heap coals of
fire upon my head. Fifteen years ago I was not with you. I was one of
the critics, one of the scoffers, one of those who asked, 'What is it
all about?' 'What does it amount to?' You have lived to confute my
judgment, and shame my sneers, and I am now making generous
acknowledgment of my error. I claim no merit in doing this, except
that I can look backward as far as your great leader can look forward.
Booker Washington