Va., May 16, 1899.
Professor Booker T. Washington, Paris, France:
Dear Sir: Many of the best citizens of West Virginia have united
in liberal expressions of admiration and praise of your worth and
work, and desire that on your return from Europe you should
favour them with your presence and with the inspiration of your
words. We must sincerely indorse this move, and on behalf of the
citizens of Charleston extend to your our most cordial invitation
to have you come to us, that we may honour you who have done so
much by your life and work to honour us.
We are,
Very truly yours,
The Common Council of the City of Charleston,
By W. Herman Smith, Mayor.
This invitation from the City Council of Charleston was
accompanied by the following:--
Professor Booker T. Washington, Paris, France:
Dear Sir: We, the citizens of Charleston and West Virginia,
desire to express our pride in you and the splendid career that
you have thus far accomplished, and ask that we be permitted to
show our pride and interest in a substantial way.
Your recent visit to your old home in our midst awoke within us
the keenest regret that we were not permitted to hear you and
render some substantial aid to your work, before you left for
Europe.
In view of the foregoing, we earnestly invite you to share the
hospitality of our city upon your return from Europe, and give us
the opportunity to hear you and put ourselves in touch with your
work in a way that will be most gratifying to yourself, and that
we may receive the inspiration of your words and presence.
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