I said that in granting the appropriation
Congress could do something that would prove to be of real and
lasting value to both races, and that it was the first great
opportunity of the kind that had been presented since the close
of the Civil War.
I spoke for fifteen or twenty minutes, and was surprised at the
close of my address to receive the hearty congratulations of the
Georgia committee and of the members of Congress who were
present. The Committee was unanimous in making a favourable
report, and in a few days the bill passed Congress. With the
passing of this bill the success of the Atlanta Exposition was
assured.
Soon after this trip to Washington the directors of the
Exposition decided that it would be a fitting recognition of the
coloured race to erect a large and attractive building which
should be devoted wholly to showing the progress of the Negro
since freedom. It was further decided to have the building
designed and erected wholly by Negro mechanics. This plan was
carried out. In design, beauty, and general finish the Negro
Building was equal to the others on the grounds.
After it was decided to have a separate Negro exhibit, the
question arose as to who should take care of it. The officials of
the Exposition were anxious that I should assume this
responsibility, but I declined to do so, on the plea that the
work at Tuskegee at that time demanded my time and strength.
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