The Colorado statesman., 1922-01-21

with their bones. lHtSt Moius
were placed in the mouth OF
Marc Antony, with Shakesperian
adroitness. to appease the passion OF
the hostile multitude. This propltla-
tory utterance contradicts the univer-
sal propensity and experience of man
kind Contemporaneous faults and tol-
bles of genius are never permitted TO
obscure their permanent contribution
to the sum total of human good. Lie
time reputation is an unsafe measure
of the Influence of a great man. his
acts must be judged in the calm retro
spect and disenSaged from the pre-
affections and prejudices of the perlou'
in order to determine his proper place
and appraisement.
Booker T. Washington has been dead
five years. Even now too short an IN
terval has elapsed to disentangle his
real work and worth from partisan
zeal and animosities, and to weigh
calmly his genuine contribution to the
welfare of his race and nation.
For almost a generation the name Oh
Rocker T. Washington occupied large
share of the attention of his lello"-
men. The nation delighted to marx
the wisdom of his sayings and TO write
his speeches in their books. lie occu
pied as large a place for as long
time i'm public esteem and favor as any
man of his generation. He bore the
STAMP of natural greatness HIS WIS
dom was intuitive. According 10 Aiii-
can lore he was born with caul over
his face. He knew without learning
and understood with the certainty VI
instinct. Like Abraham Lincoln, he
possessed an infallible inner sense
whose guidance he followed with sat
nnSSeSSe1
Mus of common sense and the phlios-
onbv of simple things. His was a UNI
1arsa1 mind While he dealt with the
most complex and distressing soclal
narticulars his spirit always rose
above the temporary intricacies oil pc
setting conditions and lived IN an at
mosphere that was calm ana sereie'
Booker T. Washington was, PERHAPS
the only man of eminence OF ms uaS
who was free from race prejudice he
neither despised nor esteemed any man
because of his race. Race preJudlce 10
often extolled as virtue but the Hioi"
genius of mankind reprobateS II as
vice. Though corporally aligned with
the Negro race, morally ana splrltuaiis
he was the heir of all the ages. Flesh
,nd hlood did not reveal to him the
truth by which he guided his pain
Progress from enmity to amity Is the
highest mark of human culture. Love
vour enemies; do good to them that
hate YOU" is the goal of human strlN-
inps which the carnally minded sun
deem impossible of realization.
Booker T. washington fathomed the
feelings of his race as well as ms own
,yarsonal disposition when he said, mo
man shall drag me down so low as to
make me hate him" This apothegm
ranks with the great moral ma&lns OIL
mankind and takes its place alongside
of the wisest sayings of saints ana
sages of all time. Let other races con-
ouer through the exploitation of power;
the Negro will triumph through the
manifestation of love. Mr.. Washington
also embodied the mother wit and never
falling good humor of his race. Next
to his submissive spirit the Negroes hu-
NOR is his greatest salvator. He laughs
where others weep; he smiles where
others frown; he grins where others
groan He thus relieves the pressure
upon his overburdened spirit which
would otherwise pine away under the
weight of impressing ills. His humor
disarms his enemies. The race that
laughs is the race that lasts
Booker washington possessed the
qualities of naturalness, moderation
and simplicity which are not usually
considered to be attributes of the Ne
gro race He had poise without pose.
Extravagance in word or deed was FOR
eign to his nature. Amidst turmoil and