" Gradually,
though, I noted with satisfaction that a sentiment in favour of
work was gaining ground. After a few weeks of hard work the
foundations were ready, and a day was appointed for the laying of
the corner-stone.
When it is considered that the laying of this corner-stone took
place in the heart of the South, in the "Black Belt," in the
centre of that part of our country that was most devoted to
slavery; that at that time slavery had been abolished only about
sixteen years; that only sixteen years before no Negro could be
taught from books without the teacher receiving the condemnation
of the law or of public sentiment--when all this is considered,
the scene that was witnessed on that spring day at Tuskegee was a
remarkable one. I believe there are few places in the world where
it could have taken place.
The principal address was delivered by the Hon. Waddy Thompson,
the Superintendent of Education for the county. About the
corner-stone were gathered the teachers, the students, their
parents and friends, the county officials--who were white--and
all the leading white men in that vicinity, together with many of
the black men and women whom the same white people but a few
years before had held a title to as property. The members of both
races were anxious to exercise the privilege of placing under the
corner-stone some momento.
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