Without hesitation the Atlanta man replied that it was
the proper thing for him to do. This opinion was reenforced by
that friend of the race, Dr. J.L.M. Curry. The President promised
that he would visit our school on the 16th of December.
When it became known that the President was going to visit our
school, the white citizens of the town of Tuskegee--a mile
distant from the school--were as much pleased as were our
students and teachers. The white people of this town, including
both men and women, began arranging to decorate the town, and to
form themselves into committees for the purpose of cooperating
with the officers of our school in order that the distinguished
visitor might have a fitting reception. I think I never realized
before this how much the white people of Tuskegee and vicinity
thought of our institution. During the days when we were
preparing for the President's reception, dozens of these people
came to me and said that, while they did not want to push
themselves into prominence, if there was anything they could do
to help, or to relieve me personally, I had but to intimate it
and they would be only too glad to assist. In fact, the thing
that touched me almost as deeply as the visit of the President
itself was the deep pride which all classes of citizens in
Alabama seemed to take in our work.
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