The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-17

! genius and perseverance would be inn
possible. The inception of this noble ell
| terprise was his. and he deserves high
| credit for it, His was the enthusiasm
| and enterprise which made its steady
| progress and established theinstitution
! on its present high standard of accom-
plishment. He has won a worthy rcpu-
| tatiOn as one of the great leaders of his
| race widely known and much respected
at home and abroad as an accomplished
| educator, a good orator and true phil
| anthropiSt.
What steady and gratifying advances
| have been made during the past fifteen
| years a personal inspection of the mate
rial equipment strikingly proves. The
| fundamental plan of the original under
| taking has been steadily followed; but
new features have been added; gaps in
| the course of instruction have been filled
| in: the patronage and resources have
| been large increased until even the Legls-
| latiye department of the State of Ala
| bama recognized the worth Of the work
and of the great opportunities here af-
| forded. From one small frame house the
! institute has grown until it includes the
| fine group of dormitories. recitation
rooms, lecture halls and workshops which
| have so surprised and delighted us to-
| day.
| "A thousand students, l am told, are
| here cared for by nearly hundred
| teachers, although forming with th'
| preparatory department symmetrical
| scholastic community which has been
| well called a model for the industrial
! colored schools of the South Certain il
| is that a pupil bent on fitting himself
| or herself for mechanical work can her
| have the widest choice of useful and do
mestic occupations.
Zone thing | like about this institution
| is that its policy has been generous ant
progressive. / allude especially to tn,
| spirit in which the annual conferences
have been here held by leading colored
| citizens and educators, with the inten
| ton of improving the condition of then
less fortunate brothers and sisters. Here,
we can see, is an immense field, and
one which cannot too soon or too care
fully be utilized The conferences have
grown in popularity and are well cal
culated not only to encourage colored
men and colored women in their indl-
vidual efforts. but TO cultivate and pro-
mote an amicable relationship between
the two races-a problem whose solu-
tion was never more needed than at tn
present time. Patience, moderation, self
control, knowledge, and character vii
surely win your victories and realize
the best aspirations of your people An
evidence of the soundness of the purpose
of this institution is that those in chargt
OF lis management evidently do not be
lieve ia attempting the unattainable.
fts.fF. 1ttvf coli nd
practical industry is most valuable.
In the day and night schools many
branches can be taught, at small ex-
pense, which will give the man and
the woman who have mastered them i'm
mediate employment and secure their
success afterward, provided they abide
by the principles of industry, morality
and religion here inculcated.
I'm this great country all can have the
opportunity for bettering themselves.
provided they exercise intelligence and
perseverance and their motives and con
duct are worthy. Nowhere are such
facilities for universal education found
as in the United States. They are ac
cessible to every boy and girl, white
or black. Integrity and industry are the
best possessions which any man can
have, and every man can have them.
They belong TO the individual and are
his unquestioned property. He alone
can part with them. They make happy
homes; they achieve success III every
walk of life; they have won the greatest
triumphs for mankind. No man who
has them ever gets into the police court,
or before the grand jury, or in the work
house, or the chain-gang. They will
bring you comfortable living, make
you respect yourself and command the
respect Of your fellows. They are in
dispensable to success. They are in
vincible.
ITO the pupils assembled here ] ex
tend my congratulations that facilitiese
for advancement afforded to them are
so numerous and so inviting. Those
who are here for the time being have
the reputation Of the institution in
charge, and should therefore be all the
more careful to guard it worthily.
Others who have gone before you have
made great sacrifice to reach the pres
ent results. What you do will affect
not only those who come after you here,
but many men and women whom you
may never meet. The results of your
training and work here will eventually
be felt, either directly or indirectly, in
nearly every part of the country.
In comparing the past with the pres
ent you should be especially grateful
that it has been your good fortune to
come within the Influence of such an
institution as Tuskegec and un-
der the guidance Of such a strong leader.
| thank him most cordially for the pleas
ure of visiting this institution, and
bring to all here associated my good
will and the best wishes of your country
men, wishing you the realization of sue
cess in whatever undertaking may here.
after engage you"
MAGNIFICENTLY WELCOMED.
Montgomery. Ala, Dec. 16.-The
President and his party were given a
magnificent welcome in the Confeder-
acy's first capital to-day. The Presi-
dents train was escorted from Atlanta
to Tuskegee and thence here by the
State Assembly, Governor Johnston.
Chief Justice Mcclellan and q party of
ladies. The Assembly's train came in
ahead of the Presidents. AT the Union
station the Presidential party was met
by the Governor, committees of the