The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-13
BOOKER WASHINGTON, A. NJ.
Cultured Boston Impressed by His APP
Dearance and Speech.
Boston Transcript.

The core and kernel of yesterdays great
noon meeting in honor of the Brotherhood
of Man at Music Hall was the superb al
dress of the negro president OF IuskSSee.
Booker T. Washington received ms Har-
ward A NJ. last June the first of his race,
said Governor Wolcott to receive an non n,
orary degree from the oldest university III
this country and this for his wise leader
ship of his own people. And when MI
Washington rose up IN the nag-nlled, en-
thusiasln- warmed patriotic and glowing at
moSphere of Music Hall, people telt keenly
that here was the civic justification Of the
old abolition spirit of Massachusetts; in his
person the proof of her ancient and indom-
table faith; in his strong thought and rich
oratory the crown and glory OF the old war
days of suffering and strife. The scene was
full OF historic beauty ana deep
with the fire that is always hot in her heart
for righteousness and truth. Rows ana rows
OF people who are seldom seen at any pub
lie function whole families of those who
are usually certain to be out of town on
holiday, crowded the place to overtowing.
The city was at her birthright feast in the
person of hundreds Of her best citizens,
men and women whose lives and names
stand for the virtues that make for hon
orable civic pride.
Bate music had filled the air. Ovation
after ovation, applause warm and prolonged
had greeted the officers and friends OF Col.
Shaw, the Sculptor St. Gaudens, the me-
mortal committee, the Governor and his
staff and the negro soldiers of the Fifty
fourth Massachusetts as they came upon
the platform or entered the hall. Chief
had performed their duties. Colonel Henry
Lee of Governor Andrews old staff had
made the noble, simple presentation speech
for the committee, paying tribute to the
chairman, Mr.. John Nj. Forbes, in whose
stead he served. Governor Wolcott had
made his short memorable speech, saying:
Fort Wagner marked an epoch in the his
tory of a race and called it into manhood
Mayor Quincy had received the monument
for the city of Boston in eloquent words.
Professor James, brother of AdJutant
James, who fell al Fort Wagner wounded
but not killed, had told the story of Colonel
words He got at the soul of the days
meaning when he said that the battle-in-
stinct is strong enough IN the race, pred red In IN
that lonely kind of valor,. civic courage
we call it in times of peace, which blesses
whose inner mystery the precious virtue
of civic genius is preserved in perfect good
temper and IN power of righteous wrath.
And then, after the singing of
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the COM
ing of the Lord
Booker Washington arose 1t was of
course, just the moment for him. The null
titude, shaken out OF its usual symphony
concert calm, quivered with an excitement
that was not suppressed. A dozen times be-
fore it had sprung to its feet ito cheer and
this man of culture and voice and power,
as well as dark skin, began with the bibli-
cal poetic touch in his first words and
quickly uttered the names of Andrew and of
Stearns feeling began to mount You could
see tears glistening in the eyes of the SOL
diers and civilians on the platform. When
the orator turned TO the colored officers on
the platform to the color-bearer of Fort
Wagner, who, smiling, bore still the flag
he never lowered even when wounded, and
said: ITO you, to the SCARED andsscattered
remnants of the Fifty-fourth, Who with
empty sleeve and wanting leg have hon
ored this occasion with your presence, to
you. your commander is not dead. Though
Boston erected no monument, and history
recorded no story, in you and the loyal race
which you represent. Robert Gould Shaw.
would have a monument which time could
the emotion Of the day and the hour. 1t