The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-17
PRESIDENT AT TUSKEEGEE.
ADDRESSED STUDENTS OF BOOKER
WASHINGToN's SCHOOL.


trial Education of the Normal
School Commended-Word of En-
cOurngement to the Coming Col
Ored GeneratiOn-Speech Made
by Booker II. Washington and
GOV. Johnston.
Tuskegee, Ala, Dec. 16.-President Nc
Kinley to-day visited the Tuskegee Nor
NAL School and addressed it's pupils. Two
hours before the Presidents train reached
here a special train brought the members
of the Alabama Legislature and a large
crowd from Montgomery.
A procession formed at Tusl1egee depot
and marched through the city on its way
to the normal school.
The Presidents carriage was drawn by
four beautiful bays. In the carriage with
the President we're Gov. Johnston of Ala
bama, Col. Foster of Tuskegee, and Book
er T. Washington. In the other carriages
were Mrs. Mckinley and other ladies' of
the Presidents party. members of the
cabinet and Gems. Wheeler, Shafter and
Lawton.
At the entrance to the normal school
grounds was a beautiful arch inscribed
welcome to the Chief" and decorations
of bunting, holly and moss and products
of the field were scattered in profusion
along the road through the grounds.
President Reviews Children.
The President and party first reviewed
more than 800 boys and 800 girls of the
normal school and 200 children of the
training school.
Each Of the boys carried a stalk of SUI
gar cane with palm in the top; each Of
the girls a stalk with cotton bolls at the
top, and the children carried stalks tip
ped with mistletoe.
President Mckinley showed much inter
est and pleasure as with uncovered head
he viewed the procession. After the stu
dents had passed there came some fifty
floats representing all departments of
school work.
After the procession all followed the
President to the beautiful chapel, where
about 1900 people gained admittance. Here
singing by the students of plantation mel
odies, the most quaint and beautiful of the
black belt section. was a special feature,
and was greatly enjoyed by the President
and the entire audience.
Booker f. Washington, the principal, In
troduced Gov. Johnston. He said:
"On this occasion do not trust myself
to give expression to the feeling that fills
the heart of every white man of the South,
because of the fact that the President of
the United States, who has the deepest
place in the hearts of every citizen, high
and low, the members of his cabinet, the
Governor of Alabama, the state legisla-
,rrffh
citizens Including our own brave and good
hearted Gen. Joe Wheeler, should lay aside
their immediate duties and responsibilities
TO pay a visit to the town OF Tuskegee
and to this institution
Solving IA Great Problem.
eve welcome you all to this spot where
without racial bitterness, but with sym
patty and friendship, with the aid of the
state with the aid of black and white
men, with Southern help and Northern
help. we are trying TO assist the nation in
working out one of the greatest problems
ever given to men TO solve.
In the presence of the Chief Magistrate
of the nation, 1 am glad 10 testify that IN
our efforts to teach our people to put
brains and skill and dignity into the com
mon occupations Of life, we have not only
the active help of all classes of citizens in
the little town of Tuslzegee, but of the best
people of the South
Said our present Governor in his re-
cent message to the legislature Every
dollar given TO the cause of education be-
comes invested capitaf that cannot be lost
or destroyed, but viii continue to pay
dividends from one generation to anoth-
err
These are the words. This is the spirit
that governs the action of the present
Governor Of Alabama, and I am sure that
no one can more FLY welcome our distin-
suished guest to the state than Gov. john
ston. whom l take great pleasure in intro
ducing."
The Presidents Address.
Gov. Johnston introduced the President.
who delivered an address.
Teachers and pupils of Tuskegee: To
meet you under such pleasant auspices,
and to have the opportunity of a personal
observation of your work is indeed most
gratifying The Tuskegee Normal and In
dustrial Institute is ideal in conception,
and has already a large and growing rep
utation in the country and is not unknown
abroad ! congratulate all who are con-
nected with this undertaking for the good
work which it is doing in the education
of its students to lead lives of usefulness
and honor, thus eXalting the race for
which it was established.
Nowhere I think could a more delight
full location have been chosen for this uni
que educational experiment which has at
tracted the attention and won the sup
port even Of conservative philantnropists
in all sections OF the country.
Tribute to Booker r. Warrington.
"To speak of Taskegee withopt paying
special tribute to Booker T. Washington >
genius and perseverance would be impos-
sible. The inception of this notable enter
prise was his, and he deserves high credit
for 1t. His was the enthusiasm and enter
prise which made its steady progress pos
sible and established in the institution its
present high standard of accomplishment
He has won a worthy reputation as one
of the great leaders Of his race, widely
known and much respected at home and
abroad as an accomplished educator, u
GOOD orator and a true pnfIanthrODist