Largely at my suggestion, Mr. I. Garland Penn, of Lynchburg, Va.,
was selected to be at the head of the Negro department. I gave
him all the aid that I could. The Negro exhibit, as a whole, was
large and creditable. The two exhibits in this department which
attracted the greatest amount of attention were those from the
Hampton Institute and the Tuskegee Institute. The people who
seemed to be the most surprised, as well as pleased, at what they
saw in the Negro Building were the Southern white people.
As the day for the opening of the Exposition drew near, the Board
of Directors began preparing the programme for the opening
exercises. In the discussion from day to day of the various
features of this programme, the question came up as to the
advisability of putting a member of the Negro race on for one of
the opening addresses, since the Negroes had been asked to take
such a prominent part in the Exposition. It was argued, further,
that such recognition would mark the good feeling prevailing
between the two races. Of course there were those who were
opposed to any such recognition of the rights of the Negro, but
the Board of Directors, composed of men who represented the best
and most progressive element in the South, had their way, and
voted to invite a black man to speak on the opening day.
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