The record-union., 1898-12-19
The PRESIDENT
AT SAVANNAH.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

foundation of good individual life and
organized government. Cultivate good
homes; make them pure and sweet,
elevate them, and other good things
Will follow. L congratulate you that
this institution is not only looking
after the head, but after the hand /
congratulate you that it is not only
making good orators, but good me-
chanics. 1t is better to be a skilled
mechanic than a poor orator or an
Indifferent preacher. Great applause.)
In a word each of you must want to
be best in whatever you undertake
Nothing in the world commands more
respect than skill and industry. Every
avenue is open to 1t.
L congratulate you upon the splen-
did valor of your race My friend,
the President, has made an allusion in
his speech to what many years ago I
said in a public address. l told of a
white Colonel who had delivered the
flag of our country to his black Color
Sergeant, and said to him: Sergeant,
! place in your hands this sacred flag
Fight for it; yes, die for it, but never
surrender it to the hands of an en-
emy.' That black soldier, with love of
country and pride in his heart, an
swered: L will bring the flag back,
Colonel, in honor, or report to God
the reason why In one battle, in
carrying that flag of freedom, he was
stricken down. He fell with the folds
of that flag wrapped about him.
bathed in his blood He did not bring
1t back, but God knew the reason why.
He did all he could, all any man could
do. He gave his hearts blood for that
flag. At San Juan Hill and at FL
Caney-but General Wheeler is here.
(Great applause) L know he can tell
you better than I can of the splendid
heroism of the black regiments which
fought side by side with the white
troops on that historic field. Mr.. Lin
coin was not far from right when,
speaking Of the black men, he said:
The time will come when they will
help to keep the jewel of liberty in the
hands of the human race and in
third of a century since you have
helped to give liberty in Cuba to an
oppressed people.
Il leave you with this one word,
Keep on You will solve your own
problem. Be patient Be progressive.
Be honest, be God-fearing, and you
will win, for no effort fails that has
stout, honest, earnest heart behind it"
At the conclusion of the Presidents
speech America" was sung by all
present, with possibly more vigor than
harmony. General Joseph Wheeler
was introduced as the Hero of Santi
ago" He was given an ovation which
lasted for several minutes He spoke
briefly of the hope and glory of the
country, and of the efforts which were
being made by both white and colored
people to secure educations. After
General Wheeler's speech he was ap
plauded for several minutes.
Secretary Gage also spoke. He said
that he had not fully realized until
this trip south that there was any
such thing as a negro problem, and
that it was of such widespread pro-
portions. What he had seen, however.
had opened his eyes. There was such
a problem, and it was a very serious
one. However, the information de-
rived by him at Tuskegee and at the
school which he was addressing had
led him to believe that the true soiu-
tion Of the problem had been found.
and that it lay in the industrial edu-
cation of the colored youth, on plans
that were being worked out at the in
stitGtiOns named.
Returning from the college, the Pres
idential party passed through the camp
of the Indiana regiment which is to
embark for Cuba on the transport
Minnewaska tomorrow morning The
President graciously wished the Off
GERS and men godspeed and a safe
return