Up from Slavery: An AutobiographyWashington, Booker T.
History
Up from Slavery: An Autobiography
Washington, Booker T.
African Americans -- Biography; Educators -- United States -- Biography; Tuskegee Institute; Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915
The core and kernel of yesterday’s great noon meeting, in honour of the
Brotherhood of Man, in Music Hall, was the superb address of the Negro
President of Tuskegee. “Booker T. Washington received his Harvard A.M.
last June, the first of his race,” said Governor Wolcott, “to receive
an honorary degree from the oldest university in the land, and this for
the wise leadership of his people.” When Mr. Washington rose in the
flag-filled, enthusiasm-warmed, patriotic, and glowing atmosphere of
Music Hall, people felt keenly that here was the civic justification of
the old abolition spirit of Massachusetts; in his person the proof of
her ancient and indomitable faith; in his strong thought and rich
oratory, the crown and glory of the old war days of suffering and
strife. The scene was full of historic beauty and deep significance.
“Cold” Boston was alive with the fire that is always hot in her heart
for righteousness and truth. Rows and rows of people who are seldom
seen at any public function, whole families of those who are certain to
be out of town on a holiday, crowded the place to overflowing. The city
was at her birthright _fête_ in the persons of hundreds of her best
citizens, men and women whose names and lives stand for the virtues
that make for honourable civic pride.
Battle-music had filled the air. Ovation after ovation, applause warm
and prolonged, had greeted the officers and friends of Colonel Shaw,
the sculptor, St. Gaudens, the memorial Committee, the Governor and his
staff, and the Negro soldiers of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts as they
came upon the platform or entered the hall. Colonel Henry Lee, of
Governor Andrew’s old staff, had made a noble, simple presentation
speech for the committee, paying tribute to Mr. John M. Forbes, in
whose stead he served. Governor Wolcott had made his short, memorable
speech, saying, “Fort Wagner marked an epoch in the history of a race,
and called it into manhood.” Mayor Quincy had received the monument for
the city of Boston. The story of Colonel Shaw and his black regiment
had been told in gallant words, and then, after the singing of
Mine eyes have seen the glory
Of the coming of the Lord,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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