The record-union., 1898-12-17
Nations Chief Executive Visits the
Town of Tuskegee.
Delivers an Address to the Students at the
Normal School.
Pays a Tribute to the Genins OF
Booker T. Washington. the
Founder of the Industrial In
stitute, Which Has Accomplish
ed so Much Good for the COlored
Race in the South.


TUSKEGEE (Ala.), Dec. 16.-The
Presidential train bearing the Alabama
Legislature arrived at Tuskegee at
6:15, and was followed by the regular
and special trains of the Montgomery
and Alabama They marched through
the city on their way to the Normal
School
The Presidents carriage was drawn
by four beautiful bays. In the car
riage with the President was Governor
Johnston, Colonel Foster of Tuskegee
and Booker r. Washington In the
other carriages We're Mrs Mckinney
and other ladies of the Presidents par
ty, members of the Cabinet, General
Wheeler, General Shafter and General
Lawton.
At the entrance TO the Normal School,
grounds was a beautiful arch, and dec
orations of bunting, holly, moss and
products Of the field were in profusion
along the road through the grounds.
The President and party first re-
viewed more than GOO boys and 300
girls of the Normal School, and 2UO
children of the training school. Each
of the boys carried a stalk of sugar
cane. The President took much inter-
est and pleasure in the review.
After the procession of students came
ZONE thirty floats representing all de-
partments 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 fol-
lowed the President to the beautiful
new chapel Only about 5000 people
gained admission. The meeting began
by the singing of plantation melodies
by the students, and was greatly en-
joyed by the President and the entire
audience.
Booker T. Washington introduced
Governor Johnston, who in turn intro
duced President Mckinley. The Pres
ident said in part:
Teachers and pupils of Tuskegee: To
meet you under such pleasant auspices,
and to have the opportunity OF per-
sonal observation of your work, is in
deed most gratifying. The Tuskegee
Normal and Industrial Institute is ideal
in conception, and has already a large
and growing reputation in the country
and is not unknown abroad. l con-
gratulate ell who are connected with
this undertaking for the good work
which it is doing in the education of its
students to lead lives of honor and use
fulness, thus exalting the race for
which it was established.
Nowhere, l think, could a more de-
lghtful location have been chosen for
this unique educational experiment
which has attracted attention and won
support even of conservative philan-
thropists in all sections of the country.
Ito speak of Tuskegee without pay
special tribute to Booker 7. Washing
toms genius and perseverance would be
impossible. The inception of this no
BILE enterprise was his, and he deserves
high credit for it. His was the enthu-
siasm which made its steady progress
possible, and established in the insti-
tuition its present high standard of ac
comphshment. He has won a worthy
reputation as one of the great leaders
of his race, wisely known and much re-
spected at home and abroad as an ac-
complished educator, a good orator and
a true philanthropist.
What steady and gratifying advances
have been made here during the past
fifteen years a personal inspection of
the material equipment strikingly
proves. The fundamental plan of the
original undertaking has been steadily
followed but new features have been
added; gaps in the course Of instruc-
tion have been filled in; the patronage
and resources have been largely in
creased, until even the legislative de-
partment of the State of Alabama rec
ognizes the worth of the work and of
the great opportunity here afforded.
From one small frame house the in
stitute has grown until it includes the
fine group of dormitories, recitation
rooms, lecture halls and workshop
which have so surprised and delighted
us to-day A thousand students, am
told. are here cared for by hundred
teachers, together forming with the
preparatory department symetrical
scholastic unity which has been we'll
called a model for the colored schools
of the South Certain it is that pu-
oil bent on fitting himself or herself for
mechanical work can here have the Wild
est choice of useful and domestic oc-
cupations.
'One thing / like about this lnstltu-
ton is that its policy has been generous
and progressive. 1t is not so seif-cen-
tered or interested in its own pursuits
and ambitions as to ignore what Is 60
ing on in the rest of the country, or
make it difficult for outsiders to share
the local advantages. l allude espe-
cially to the spirit in which the annual
conferences have been held here by
leading colored citizens and educators,
with the intention of improving the
condition of their less fortunate broth
ers and sisters. Here, we can see, is
an immense field. and one which cam
not too soon or too carefully be util-
lied. The conferences have grown in
popularity, and are we'll calculated not
only to encourage colored men and COL
ored women in their individual efforts.
but to cultivate and promote an ami
cable relationship between the two
races-a problem whose solution was
never more needed than at the present
time. Patience, moderation, self-con-
troll, knowledge, character, will surely
win your victories and realize the best
aspirations Of your people.