Booker T. Washington’s Views of the “Mormons”

Booker T. Washington's Views of the "Mormons" The famous Booker T. Washington, who recently visited Salt Lake City, has written an article for the New York Age, (April 17) the leading negro newspaper of the United States, in which he tells about his visit to Salt Lake City. Among other things he declares that the "Mormons" have been misrepresented, and that the worst of the "Mormon" life is generally advertised. We quote from his long and interesting account : "The 'Mormon' Church was first organized in New York state only eighty-three years ago. From 150 (143) people, hardy pioneers, who entered Utah sixty-six years ago, the number has grown year by year until in Utah there are now over 300,000 'Mormons,' and they have certainly made the desert blossom as the rose. I have never been among a more healthy, clean, progressive set of people than these people are. All through Utah they have turned the desert into gardens and orchards. Wherever one finds a 'Mormon' colony there he finds the evidence of hard work and wealth. * * * From the first the 'Mormons' constantly and persistently pursued the policy of having their people get hold of land, to settle on the soil and become farmers. The 'Mormon' leaders knew that if they once got possession of the soil and taught their people how to become successful farmers that they would be laying the foundation so secure that they could not be disturbed. * * * Like the negro, the 'Mormons,' I am sure, have been misrepresented before the world. I have learned by experience and observation that it is never safe to pass final judgment upon a people until one has had an opportunity to get into the real life of those people. The negro is suffering today just as the 'Mormons' have suffered and are suffering, because the people from the outside have advertised the worst concerning 'Mormon' life, and they have seldom called attention to the best in connection with the life of the 'Mormons.' No person outside a group of people can ever really know that race or that group of people until he gets into their homes, and gets a chance to observe their men, their women, and their children, and has a chance to partake of their hospitality and get into their inner life. There are many people today who consider themselves wise on the condition of the negro who are really afraid to go into a negro home, who never go into a negro church or Sunday school, who have never met colored people in social circles, and hence such people know little about the moral standards and activities of the colored people. The same, I am convinced, is true regarding the 'Mormons.* The people who speak

808 "IMPROVEMENT ERA in the most disrespectful terms of these people are those who kn least about them. I am convinced that the 'Mormons' are not an immoral people. No immoral people could have such strong, fine bodies as these people, nor such vigorous, alert minds as they. It has been my privilege to address schools and universities in nearly every part of America, and I say without hesitation that I have never addressed a school anywhere where the students were more alert, more responsive, more intelligent than is true of the students of these 'Mormon' colleges. I was hardly prepared for the over-generous and rapturous reception that was given me at the state university, the students of which, for the most part, are 'Mormons,' and I had the same experience in addressing the private schools and other institutions conducted by 'Mormons.' * * * These 'Mormons' have first-class schools, and they are pushing the matter of technical and industrial education to a stronger degree than we are in the South. * * *. The 'Mormons' have recently begun a systematic effort to give their people training in gymnastics, with a view to strengthening their bodies. I think it will interest my readers to know that there are colored 'Mormons' in Utah. I met several of these. Many of them came here in the old days. In fact, Brigham Young brought colored people with him to this country, and they or their descendants have remained. * * * I met one colored man who came out here in the early days. He is now eighty-two years of age. He is a staunch 'Mormon.' He came here from Mississippi." My Morning Hymn. Not some, nor little good, O Lord, Help me to do this day. But to the utmost test of strength Assist my feeble way. Not one nor two good words, kind Friend, Persuade my tongue to speak, But flood my soul with copious thought, For I am very weak. Not one good deed, but many, Lord, Permit my hands to do. Crowd every hour with noble toil. And effort fine and true. Not one, but many steps I'd take, Fast holding to Thy rod, That my swift feet may hurrying find Their upward way to God. Susa Young Gates.