Sparkling Gems of Race Knowledge Worth Reading | Page 9

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE--1. Rev. T. E. Crawley; 2.
Dr. F. A. Stewart; 3. Rev. Preston Taylor; 4. S. A. Walker; 5. W. T.
Hightower; 6. Rev. R. B. Vandervill; 7. Thomas Tyree.]
DEPARTMENT OF DENTISTRY.
The Afro-American will also make an exhibit of dentistry. In this
department will be seen gold plates, porcelain plates, rubber and brass
plates, gold and brass crowns, gold and amalgam filled teeth, and
bridges of various kinds. We expect that this department will help us to
show to the civilized world that the Negro is not a failure, nor is he
lagging in any of the skillful and most highly honored professions.
THE WOMAN'S BOARD.
Those of our race who have given their time and energy toward
brightening the prospects and bettering the conditions of the Negro
have all along advocated equal opportunities and advantages for male
and female.

No other course would be consistent. No other line would be logical. If
the Negro advocates the idea of equal opportunities and advantages for
white and black, he must, to be consistent, urge equal opportunities for
male and female. He says by this that every human being should be
allowed the same privileges and prerogatives, which carries with it the
same possibilities and promise in life for every human, all things else
being equal.
Those planning the Negro Department acted wisely in establishing a
Woman's Department.
[Illustration: CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES.--1. J. B. Battle,
Agriculture; 2. Dr. E. B. Jefferson, Dentistry; 3. Prof. D. W. Byrd,
Educational; 4. Dr. William Sevier, Medicine; 5. Robert A. Walker,
Poultry.]
Besides the departments already mentioned, there will be a number of
others equally interesting, such as Department of Clubs, Department of
Agriculture, Department of Live Stock, Department of Marble and
Stone, etc.
The members of the Negro Department of the Tennessee Centennial
earnestly request the encouragement, co-operation, and assistance of
the Negroes of the United States and of America. It is very essential
that we show to the world what we can do. We have always been
willing and ready to help to push the lever of progress, but every one
does not see it in that light. This is a way by which we can make the
world see, understand, and realize our importance. In the Negro
Department we have the privilege of showing our work to such an
advantage that it cannot fail to represent us. Therefore we appeal to
every Negro man and woman, who has any real pride, to do all in his or
her power to make this department a success. Before another centennial
celebration others will have our place in the arena of life, and they will
love and honor us for this and other examples of patriotism that we
may leave on record for their inspiration.
Though the examples we leave them may have been given under
adverse circumstances, they will understand it. They will know as well

as we that there is no reward without labor, no prize without a struggle,
no victory without a battle.
[Illustration: CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES.--1. W. L. Causler,
Horticulture; 2. H. G. Scales, Marble and Building Stone; 3. J. Ira
Watson, Minerals and Mines; 4. Dr. R. S. White, Art; 5. T. L. Jones,
Floriculture; 6. H. C. Ganaway, Clubs and Publicity.]
We as a race cannot afford to let this great undertaking fail. We will not
let it fail. Do not hesitate to send your exhibits because you feel that
they are not perfect. Do the best you can in getting them up, send them,
and leave the result of their defects to the Great Judge, who knows the
depths from which we have come, the heights to which we are aspiring,
and the condition of our environment. We have the ability, the means,
and the opportunity is at hand to erect a monument to the race. During
the century we are about to celebrate, we acted as heroes for others.
Why not play the man for ourselves now? Why not as citizens of
Tennessee join in the celebration of the birth of our State? She was
born into the Union June 1, 1796. She has been in one hundred years
(minus the year of secession), and we, as a race, have been right along
with her. Not only have we been connected with Tennessee, but we
have been identified with the whole country since 1620, and have
assisted in producing peace, prosperity. We have helped to clear the
forests, till the soil, level the mountains, fill the valleys, bridge rivers,
build railroads, factories, schoolhouses, churches, towns, and cities. We
have labored assiduously to make this country bloom as a rose. This
fact is admitted by multiplied thousands of the best white people in the
whole South. We are not ashamed of our record in the history of our