Moral Standards for Every People

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1907

Moral Standards for Every People

At the opening session of the recent negro conference at Tuskegee, Booker T. Washington gave some advice to the people of his race which is good advice for any people. He said:—

More and more as a race of people, we must learn to draw the line between the moral and the immoral, between the good and the bad, and we must set the standard of life among our own people high, and let them understand that we feel ashamed to associate with idlers and criminals. We must use our influence to get rid of the large idle class that hangs about the street corners and dens of misery in our large cities.

The things which Mr. Washington condemns are the things that will sap the moral vitality of any race or people. The school of idleness is certain to graduate criminals and profligates. He who congregates with idlers must expect to be tainted with their vices.