The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-17
The President Delivers an Address to the
CoIored Normal Pupils.
COMPLIMENT TO BOOKER 7. WASHINGTON
students Told that Integrity and
Industry Are the Best Possessions.
Attractive Trade ProcessiOn.

The procession formed at the Tuskegee de,
not and marched through the city on theil
way to the normal school. In the carriage
with tho president was Governor John.
ston of Alabama. Colonel Foster of Tuske.
gee and Booker T. Washington. In tht
other carriages were Mrs. Mckinley and
other ladies of the presidents party, men,
bers of the cabinet and Generals Wheeler
Shafter and Lawton.
The president aud party first reviewed
more than 600 boys and 800 girls OF the
normal school and 200 children of the train
ing school.
President Mckinley showed much In
terest and pleasure as with uncovered head
he reviewed the procession. After the pro-
cession of students came some floats rep
resenting all departments of the school
way of contrast, one representing the old
way OF doing things. the other the new
way. These floats drew forth tremen-
dous applause.
After the procession all present followed
the president to the beautiful new chapel.
Singing by the students of plantation melo-
dies, 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 T. Washington introduced Gov.
ernor Johnston, who. IN turn. introduced
President Mckinley. The president and
General Whee4er were listened to with
special attention. n l D. N, the party left
for Montgomery.
President Mckinley spoke as follows:
Teachers and Pupils OF Tuskegee: To
meet you under such pleasant auspices
and to have the opportunity Of q personal
observation of youg work is indeed most
gratifying. The Tuskegee Normal and In
dustrlal Institution is ideal In conception
and has already large and growing repu
tatt0n in the country and Is not unknown
abroad. l congratulate all who are aSso-
ciated IL this undertaking for the good
work which it Is doing h the education OF
it's students u lead lives Of honor and use
fulnGss, thus exagting the race for which
1t WAS established.
Nowhere l think could more delightful
location have been chosen for this unique
educational experiment which has attracted
the attention and won the support even OF
conservative phllanthrophists In all Sec
lions of the country.
ITO speak OF Tuskegee without paying
special tribute to Booker T. Washington's
genius and perseverance would be impoS-
sible. The inception of this noble enter
prise was his and he deserves high credit
for it. HIS was the enthusiasm and enter
prise which made its steady progress pos
sible and established In the institution its
present high standard. He has Won wOi
thy reputation as one Of the great leaders
of his race. widely known and much re-
spected at home and abroad as an accom-
plished educator, great orator and true
phi. lanthI oplst.
What steady and gratifying advances
have been made here during the past if
teen years personal inspection OF the ma
terial and equipments strikipgly proves.
The fundamental plan of the original I'M
Gertak:Ig has been steadily followed; but
rev features have been added the gaps
in the course of instruction have been filled
in; the patronage and resources have bsen
largely increased until even the legislative
department Of the State of Alabama recog-
nized the worth OF the work and of the
great opportunities here afforded. From
one small frame house the institute has
grown until 1t includes the fine group of
dormitories. recitation rooms, theater halls
and workshops, which have so Surprised
and delighted lis today.
one thing like about this institution Is
That its policy has been generous and
progressive; 1t is not so self-centered and
interested In It's own pursuits and am
oltions as to ignore what is going on in the |
rest OF the country or make it difficult |
or outsllers to share the local advantages.
allude especially to the spirit In which |
ne annual conferences have been here held |
oy leading colored citizens and educators |
With the intention OF Inspecting the CON |
lltloD of their less fortunate brothers and |
listers
In the day and night schools MANY
ranches can be taught at small expense |
which will give the man and the woman
'ho nave mastered the immediate employ |
hent ard secure their success afterward |
roVlded they abide by the principles of |
ndustry. morality and religion here in
ulcated.
Integrity and industry are the best DOS.
,sslOns which amy man can have and every
IAN can have them. Nobody can give them
him or take Them flNm him. He can NOT
cauiie them by inharitamce: he can not
NY them or beg them or borrow them.
hey belong to the Individual and are UNI
uestioned property. He alone can part
aGh them. They are good thing to have
10 Keep. They make happy homes; they
ihteve success in every walk OF life; they
ave wan the greatest triumphs for man
md. No man who has them ever gets
ITO the police court or before the eranu
Try or In the work house or the cantn
tng. They give one neral and material
'wer l'asy will brang You a COMFORTABLE
wing, make you respect yourself and COM
ana the respect OF your fellows. They
e INDISPENSABLE to success. They ate in
hciDie. The merchant requires The clark
lssn ne employs 10 have them. The rail.
ay corporation inquiries whether the ma,
'sklng employment possesses them. Every
iefsue of human endeavor welcomes them.
ney are the only keys to open with GER
ihty me door OF opportunity 10 struggling
anhou,. Employment waits ON III am
t9smihlp Is not good without them. II
~ do not already have them get them.
the pupils here assembled extend NV
pecial CONGRATULATIONS that the facilities
y Savancemsnt afforded to them are SO
lHuercus and 20 Inviting.
McSt OF yoai are young and Youth Is the |
me fitted for DEVELOPMENT both OF lie
NY and OF the mind Whatever YOU do
with AM your might with Will ana pur.
se not of selfish kind. but looking TO
'n,ht S'ur race and your country.
IN comparing the past with the present
~ SHOULD be especially grateful That 1t
- peen your good fortune to come within
% infiuence Of such an institution IA
AT OF Iuskegee and that you ara under
. guidance of such strong leader. /
ank him most cordially far tie pleasure
visiting this institution and | bring I,
here associated my good will and III. |