The herald., 1898-12-17
VISIT BOOKER WAsHINGToN,s
SCHOOL
DESERVED COMPLIMENT PAID
To the Greatest Leader of the Colored
Race Since the Time of
Douglass
Associated Press Special Wire.

The presidents carriage was drawn by
four beautiful bays. In the carriage with
the president was Governor Johnston. Col
onel Foster of Tuskegee and Booker 7. Wash
ington.. In the other carriages were Mrs.
Mckinley and other ladies of the president 3
party, members Of the cabinet, General
Wheeler, General Shafter and General Law
ton
At the entrance to the normal school
grounds was beautiful arch decorated with
holly, moss and products of the field.
The president and party first reviewed
more than 900 boys and 300 girls of the nor
NAL school and 100 children of the training
school. Each of the boys carried a stalk
OF sugar cane.
The president took much interest and
pleasure in the review. After the process
sion of students came some thirty floats
representing all departments of the school
work Many of these were by way of CON
trast, 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 beautiful new chapel.
Only about three thousand people gained adj
mission. The meeting began by the sing
ing of plantation melodies by the students,
and was greatly enjoyed by the president
and the entire audience
On reaching the Normal School President
Mckinley was ushered into the lecture hall,
his appearance calling forth the hearticst
cheering.
THE NEGRO TEACHER
Prof. Washington was the first speaker.
President Washington said: "On this oc-
cason | do not trust myself to give express
sion to the feelings that fill the heart OF
every white man and men of the South,
because of the fact that the President OF the
United States, who has tie deepest place
in the hearts of every citizen, high and low {,
the members of his Cabinet, the Governor
OF Alabama, the State Legislature, together
with other distinguished citizens, including
our own brave and good hearted Gen. Joe
Wheeler, should lay aside their immediate
duties and responsibilities to pay visit to
the town of Tuskegee and to this nstitu-
ton.
I've welcome you ak to this spot where,
without racial bitterness, but with sym
pathy and friendship, with the aid of the
State with the aid OF black men and white
men, with Southern and Northern help,
we are trying to assist the nation in work
ing out one of the greatest problems ever
given to men to solve.
I'm the presence of the Chief Magistrate
OF the nation, l am glad to testify that in
our efforts to teach our people to put brains
and skill and dignity into the common oc-
equations of life we have not only the actual
help OF all classes of citizens in the little
town OF TusSegee, but of the best people of
the South. Said our present Governor in
his recent message to the Legislatures
Every dollar put into college becomes in
vested capital that cannot be lost or de-
stroyed, but will continue to pay dividends
from one generation to another
There are the words. This is the spirit
that governs the action of the present Gov
ernor OF Alabama, and | am sure that no
one can more fifty welcome our distinguis he'd
guest to the State that Gov ernor Johnston.
whom | take great pleasure in Introducing
lob Ton . hoo, ,,~t. II
President.
MKINLEY'S ADDRESS
The President said: Teachers and pupils
OF 1uskegee: To meet you under such pleas
ant auspices and to have the opportunity
OF personal observation of your work is
indeed most gratifying The Tuskegee Nor
NAL and Industrial Institute is ideal in con-
cepton and has already large and grow
ing reputation in the country and is not
unknown abroad. | congratulate all who
are connected with this undertaking for
the good work which it is doing in the ed
ucation of its students to lead lives of honor
and usefulness, thus exalting the race for
which it was established
Nowhere, l think, could more delight
ful location have been chosen for this unique
educational experiment which has attracted
attention and won support even of conserv.
ative phlanthropists in all sections of the
country
10 speak of Tuskegee without paying
special tribute to Booker r. Washington's
genius and perseverance would be imposs-
bic. The inception of this noble enterprise
was his. and he deserves high credit for it.
His was the enthusiasm which made its
steady progress possible, and established in
the institution its present high standard of
accomplishment. He has won worthy rep-
utstion as one of the great leaders of his
race, wisely known and mucf respected at
home abroad os un 4.
Gator, good orator and true philanthro.
phist.
what steady and gratifying advances
have been made here during the past few
years personal inspection of the material
equipment strlkingly proves. The funda-
mental plan OF the original undertaking has
been steadily followed, but new features
have been added; gaps in the course of in.
struction have been filled in; the patron.
age and resources nave been largely in.
creased until even the legislative depart
ment of the State of Alabama recognizes
the worth OF the work and of the great
opportunity here afforded. From one Small
frame house, the institute has grown unt;l
1t includes the fine group Of dormitories.
recitation rooms, lecture halls and work
shops which have so surprised and DELIGHT
ed us today. A thousand students, j am
told. are here cared for by hundred teach.
ers, together forming, with the prepare
a S!IillneCI1cal scholastic
unity, which has been well called a model
Tor the .colored schools of the South. Ger.
tain it is that a pupil bent on fitting him.
self OF, herself for mechanical work can
nave the widest choice of useful and do.
mestic occupations.
One thing | like about this institution
is that its policy has been generous and pro4
gresslye; it is not so self centered or inter
ested IN Its own pursuits and ambitions. as
TO ignore what is going on in the rest of the
country or make It difficult for outsiders
to share the local ADVANTAGES I allmda
especially to the spirit in which the ANIMAL
conferences have been here held by leading
colored citizens and educators with the in,
tenton OF improving the condition of tbe;r
less fortunate brothers and sisters. Here
we can see, is an immense field and ono
winch cannot too soon or too carefully he
utilized. The conferences have grown in
popularity and are well calculated not orIr
to encourage colored men and co1oraa
women in their individual efforts. but to cni
tlvate and promote an amicable relat;on
ship between the two races-a nrob'o,,
whose resolution was never more needod
than at the present time Patience moder.'
tion, self-control, knowledge, character
will surely win your victories and reol;zo
the best aspiration of vour people. An evi.
dence of soundress nf the purnose Of tb;s
institution is that those in charge of It's
management evidently do not believe in at
tempting the unattainable, and their in