Evening star., 1898-12-16


said: "On this occasion I do not trust nv
SER 10 give expression to the FEELINGS that
hi the neart OF every white man and men
VI Tie sodth because of the fact that the
Presiuent of the United States who has
the deepest place in the hearts of every
citiZeh, nigh and low, the members of his
CABINET, the governor of Alabama the state
legislature, together with other distinguish
eu cltlzens. Including our own brave and
sood-hearted Cen. Joe Wheeler should Law
asiue their Immediate duties and resporsi-
p4ltIes 10 pay a visit to the town of Tus-
kesee and to this institution.
we welcome You an TO tnls spot, where
WITHOUT racial nltterneSs, but with Synpa-
LEY and friendship, with the aid Of the
State, with the thu OF black men and white
HieA, with southern help and northern neip
we are trylrg toaaSsRn the nation IN work
llS out one of ihc 4sfeatest problems ever
given to men TO ts0Ret
SAID our PRESENT governor in his recent
message 10 the, tsEsIsia tdre: Every dotfer
gwen 10 the cause of education becomes III
vested capitai tt1aI cannot be lost or de-
Stfoyed, but VILE continue to pay aIyidends
from one generation to another
lneSe are the words. This Is the spirit
that governs theI action of the present gov
efhor OF Alabama, and | am sure that no
one can more TliyE welcome our .distin. .
Sulshed guest 10 the state than Gov 5tynns-
tCn, Wnom take great pleasure in intro
ducing."
Ihe Presidents Reply.
Ihe Presidents address, to the scholars
WIS AS follows :Asl1c .F-F -.
TEACHERS and Pupils of Tuskegee: To
meet you under Such pleasant auspices and
to nave the opRortunity, of a personal OBJ
servaton of your work is indeed cInost
gratifying. The Tlskegee Normal and In
dustrlal Institute is ideal in conception,
and has already large and growing repu-
tation in the country, and is not unkuo Hn
abroad l 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 honor and
usefulness, thus exalting the race for which
1t was established -,
TO speak of Tuskegee without paying
special tribute to Booker t Washington $
genius and perseverance would he impos-
sible- The inc option of this noble 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 it's
present high standard of accomplishment.
He has won a WORTH reputation as one of
the great leaders Of his race. widely known
and much respected a home and abroad
as an accomplish ID educator, a good ora
tor and true phflanthropist.
Likes Progressive Policy.
"One thing l like about this institution is
that It's policy has been generous and pro-
gresslve; it is not SO self-centered or inter-
ested in IT'S own pursuits and ambitions as
to ignore what is going on in the rest of the
country or make it difficult for outsiders 10
share the local advantages. | allude espe-
cially to the spirit in which the annual con-
ferences have been here held by leading
coored citizens and educators with the it,
tention of improving the condition of their
less fortunate hrothers and sisters. Here
we can see, is an immense field and one
which canrot TOO soon or too carefully he
utilized.
! An evidence of the soundness of the p,lr-
pose of this institution is that those in
charge of its management evidently do not
believe in attempting the unattainabIe and
their instruction in seif-reliance and prac-
teal industry is most valuable.
No Monopoly of Knowledge.
'No country, epoch or race has a monop-
oily upon knowle .ge- Some have easier, but
not necessarily better oppori unities Tor self
development. That a few can obtain free
most have to pay for perhaps by hard ply
steal labor, mental struggle and self-denial.
But in this great country all can have the
opportunity for bettering themselves pro-
vided they exercise intelligence and nerse-
verance, and their motives and conduct are
worthy. Nowhere are such facilities for
| universal education found as in the United
States.
They are accessible to every boy and
girl, white or black. Integrity and indus
try arc the best possessi6ns' which any man
can have and evefyfhlan can have them.
Nobody can give theTiito him or take them
| from him. Evefy7 Avenue of human en-
deavor welcomessthef2 They are the only
keys to open with dtltainry the door or
opportunity to struggling manhood Fm
pioyment waits ,!orf' them. capital reuuires
| them, citizenshipis not; good without them
!