The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-17
WELCOMED.
Greetings to
Mckinley.
STIRRING WORDS.
Brilliant Speeches Made by
the President.

Tuskegee, Ala, Dec. 16.-The special
train bringing the Alabama legislature
reached Tuskegee at $50 a. m. The
procession formed at the Tuskegee de-
pot and marched through the city on
their way to the normal school In
the carriage with the president was
Gov. Johnston of Alabama, Col. Foster
Of Tuskegee and Booker 7. Washing
ton. In the other carriages were Mrs.
Mckinley and other ladies of the pres
ident's party, members of the cabinet
and Gems. Wheeler, Shafter and Law
ton. At the entrance to the normal
school grounds was a beautiful arch
inscribed: Welcome to the chief"
The president and party first re-
viewed more than 500 boys and 800
girls of the normal school, and 200 chill
dren of the training school. Each of
the bo-s carried a stalk of sugar cane
with palm in the top, each Of the
girls stalk with cotton balls at the
top, and the children carried stalks
tipped with mistletoe.
President Mckinley showed much in
terest and pleasure as he viewed the
procession. After the procession of
GluUGIlLS
senting all departments of the school
work. Many of these were by way of
contrast, one representing the old way
of doing things, the other the new way.
These floats drew forth tremendous
applause After this procession all
present followed the president to the
new chapel. Only about 1000 people
gained admittance. Here singing by
the students of plantation melodies,
80 aT1r
belt section, was a special feature, and
was greatly enjoyed by the president
and the entire audience. Booker I.
Washington introduced Gov. Johnston,
who in turn introduced President Nc
Kinley.
The president said in substance:
Teachers and pupils of TuskeCee:
To meet you under such pleasant skies
and have the opportunity of personal
observation of your work, is indeed
most gratifying. Nowhere, 1 think,
could a more delightful location have
been chosen for THIS Unique educational
experiment which has attracted the
attention and won the support even of
conservative philanthropists in all sec
tions of the country To speak of
Tuskegee without paying special trib-
ute to Booker T. Washington's genius
and perseverance, would be impossible
nowhere are SuCu IdGlILIeS lOI UNI
versal education found as in the Unit
ed States. Intelligence and industry
are the best possessions which any
man can have, and every man can
have them. He cannot acquire them
by inheritance; he cannot buy them OF
beg them or borrow them. They be-
long to the individual, and are his I'M
questioned property. He alone car
part with them. They are a good thing
to have and to keep. They make
Happy homes: they achieve success in
every walk of life; they have won the
greatest triumphs for mankind.
ITO the pupils assembled here I eX-
tend my congratulations that facilities
for advancement afforded to them are
so numerous and so inviting. Most oil
you are young, and youth is the time
best fitted for the development both Of
the body and the mind. Whatever you
do, do with all your might, with viii
and purpose not Of the selfish kind
but looking to the benefit of your race
and your country IN comparing thu
past with the present you should bt
especially grateful that it has beer
your good fortune to come within th'
influences of such an institution a:
Tuskegee, and that you are under thu
guidance of such a strong leader.
Gen. Wheeler also made a few bre
remarks. At / o'clock in the Afternoon
the presidential party left for Mont
gomery.