Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-07-10
THEY HONORED HIM.
BOOKER T, WASHING
TON IN CHICAGO.
Tender ed Two Grand Ban
quetS.
LIBERAL DONATIONS.

LIBERAL DONATIONS.
The coming of Booker T. Washing
ton to Chicago last week was an occas-
ion long to be remembered. 1t is
doubtful if any other distinguished
colored man has ever received such a
demonstration of enthusiasm for him
self and what he represents as Mr..
Washington received at the hands of
Chicago people on the evenings of the
26th and 2Sth of June.
Mr.. Washington had been to our city
several times. but always came on the
invitation OF philauthrOpists and edu-
Gators in the interest OF hIs school.
While in the city on these occasions,
ne was always the guest of one or
more of the clubs composed of rich
and influential men. 1t WAS delight
full to witness how easily all prejudice
was swept aside in the presence of the
noted president of Tuskegee Institute.
THE WORK OF THE SUMNER CLUB.
The desire to have MIR. Washington
come TO Chicago as the guest OF his
own people and from them receive
some substantial aid for his work be-
came so strong that the Sumner Club
determined TO take the initiative and
offer such an opportunity TO the peo-
pie.
The Sumner Club is composed of a
limited membership of abeut fifty gen
tlemen made up of the professional
and business men Of the city. The
club has been in existence a little over
year. 1t has no officers and ali busi-
ness is done by an executive commit
tee. This committee now consists OF
DR.. A. r. Abbott, Louis b Anderson,
Hon, L. II. Wright, S Laing Williams
and j. D. Byrant. These gentlemen
were instructed to invite Booker T.
Washington to Chicago Co be banquet
ed by the club and other representa-
tive citizens, and also to arrange for q
public reception to be rendered to him
b7 all the people.
AN UP-To-DATR BANQUET.
The banquet was held at the Lexing
ton, the most exclusive up town hote
in the city. Plates we're laid for ovel
20 m the spacious and beautiful ban
ouet hall. Aside from the guest o
honor there were present Kew. j. I
Jenifer, of Baltimore; DR.. H. I. John
son. OF Philadelphia, Editor OF th'
Christian Recorder, and Rev. X. q
Bedford of Beloit, Wis. In the opin'
ion Of every one present this banque
was ouite the most beautiful, gentee
aud complete affair ever ATTEMPTED
and accomplished by the colored peo
ple of this country. After the mem
had been happily disposed Of tn
doors of the banquet hall were throw
open to view of the guests OF the hote
who had thronged the parlors TO hea
the toasts The sight was one OF IN
describable interest. The rich guest
of this fashionable hotel had neve
seen or dreampt of such a sight. The
heartily applauded and in every wa
showed their sense of appreciation
this revelation of culture among pee
pie whom they had thought OF only
servants
MANY TOAsTs.
Mr.. Lloyd G. Whe Ter was master
ceremonies, and toasts were eloquent
lV responded to by Booker I. Washin
ton, Rev. r Bedford, DIR. j. L. JeI
ifer. Hon, E. II Morris, +. l.. Barnett
DR.. Il. T. johnson, w. l. Martin, 4
II Roberts and Rev. Il. 9. Ransom
Mr. Roberts toast of "Welcome" WI
notable effort in polish. ispirit ar
thought Mention must also be mad
Of Rev r. G.. Ransom's eloquent ar
inspiring response to the toast . X
cognition of Our Leaders. To say tn
ali of the addresses we're worthy of Il
occasion and altogether enjoyable al
inspiring, does not half describe the
excellence.
THE RECEPTION AT QUINN CHAPEL
But if the banquet was beautiful
complete in all the details which ma
an affair of that kind peculiarly enjo
able to "men only" the reception
Quinn Chapel, the Monday evenil
following, exceeded the banquet
grandeur and impressiveness. I'll
Dart OF the Washington demonstrate
was charge of fifty ladies and g-ntl
men representing the churches al
civic examinations of the city Lo
before seven o'clock people from
parts of the city thronged to
church and fully an hour before
time for the opening of the exercis
the beautiful auditorium was filled
overfiowing. The audience was ali
eether beautiful in quality, appe,
apce and responsiveness of moo
IfOmlHSHJ pCOpAC " DOSA races "
there neutrality-suspicious. of Mr. Wa
ington was signalized by a tumulI
Gus sutburst of enthusiasm and Wi
ing of handkerchiefs After music
the choir and prayer by Bishop Arm
and fitting introductory addresses
DR.. A. r. Abbott and s. Laing "
fams. Mr.. Washington had the pie
ure of facing one of the finest
diences of colored people that he
ever addressed
SPLENDID ADDRESS.
There is no such thing as describ
the splendid effect of Mr.. Washi
toms address. His exposition of
theory and practice of industrial ed
tion was something long to be RENE
bered, because of its power and Gle
ness. People who heretofore
doubted the efficacy of Industrial e
cation and who doubted the sal
and wisdom of Mr. WashingtC
views on the Negro question, were
won over by the spell of his mast
Of the subject.
After the singing of a song dedica
l. UaokfucrfOn ho rrnrad : ~ fenyk