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Some Officers of the N.A.A.C.P. at the Philadelphia Conference

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[[caption]] OWEN M. WALLER. [[/caption]]

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[[caption]] GEORGE W. CRAWFORD. [[/caption]]

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[[caption]] MARY WHITE OVINGTON. [[/caption]]

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[[caption]] T. W. ALLINSON. [[/caption]]

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[[caption]] FLORENCE KELLEY. [[/caption]]



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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE

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[[caption]] MAYOR RUDOLPH BLANKENBURG. Photo by Gutekunst. [[/caption]]

THE CONFERENCE.

THE fifth annual conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, held in Philadelphia, April 23,24 and 25, was a complete success. The weather was perfect and the city gave to the association a hospitable welcome and a respectful hearing. The proceedings were reported correctly with considerable fulness by the press. The audiences were larger than the association has ever known. At the opening meeting in the Temple Keneseth Israel, which accommodates 2,400 people, the building was almost full and at the last session in Witherspoon Hall every seat was taken and men were standing. Perhaps next year we shall hold overflow meetings in the streets.

WELCOME BY THE MAYOR.

The Honorable Rudolph Blankenburg, mayor of Philadelphia, welcomed the conference at its opening meeting. Earnest and impressive in speech, his personality was an inspiration to his audience. He said in his address of welcome:

"When I was called upon by Mr. Villard to take part in the proceedings of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People this evening I did not hesitate one minute, but said I should be glad to be with you. 
  
"I have come to extend to the fifth annual conference of the association a hearty welcome on behalf of the city of Philadelphia. We in Philadelphia brag of a good many things and have good reason to do so, but I think we are rather backward in other matters that ought to appeal to us and to which we are not giving the consideration that they deserve. It is a fact that we overlook some 75,000 colored people in the city of Philadelphia and do not consider them the equals of the white people; and they are the equals of the white people if they behave themselves. I have never believed in the distinction of race, color, or religion. In a republican form of government we ought all to unite upon this one principle: that all men are born free and equal. Don't forget that that includes the women also. This does not mean that we are born with the same ability, but it means that we should be given the privilege, the opportunity, of showing what there is in us. What I want to say to you, my colored friends, what you ought to make the cornerstone of your lives, it that you ought to show the white people, ought to show the people