Their enthusiasm and responsiveness are a constant
delight. The "amens" and "dat's de truf" that come spontaneously
from the coloured individuals are calculated to spur any speaker
on to his best efforts. I think that next in order of preference
I would place a college audience. It has been my privilege to
deliver addresses at many of our leading colleges including
Harvard, Yale, Williams, Amherst, Fisk University, the University
of Pennsylvania, Wellesley, the University of Michigan, Trinity
College in North Carolina, and many others.
It has been a matter of deep interest to me to note the number of
people who have come to shake hands with me after an address, who
say that this is the first time they have ever called a Negro
"Mister."
When speaking directly in the interests of the Tuskegee
Institute, I usually arrange, some time in advance, a series of
meetings in important centres. This takes me before churches,
Sunday-schools, Christian Endeavour Societies, and men's and
women's clubs. When doing this I sometimes speak before as many
as four organizations in a single day.
Three years ago, at the suggestion of Mr. Morris K. Jessup, of
New York, and Dr. J.L.M. Curry, the general agent of the fund,
the trustees of the John F. Slater Fund voted a sum of money to
be used in paying the expenses of Mrs.
Pages:
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261