Then Mr. Washington was taken in
charge by a delegation of coloured citizens, headed by the Rev.
Mr. Watkins, and hustled off to a small informal reception,
arranged in honour of the visitor by the people of his race.
Nor can I, in addition to making these addresses, escape the duty
of calling the attention of the South and of the country in
general, through the medium of the press, to matters that pertain
to the interests of both races. This, for example, I have done in
regard to the evil habit of lynching. When the Louisiana State
Constitutional Convention was in session, I wrote an open letter
to that body pleading for justice for the race. In all such
efforts I have received warm and hearty support from the Southern
newspapers, as well as from those in all other parts of the
country.
Despite superficial and temporary signs which might lead one to
entertain a contrary opinion, there was never a time when I felt
more hopeful for the race than I do at the present. The great
human law that in the end recognizes and rewards merit is
everlasting and universal. The outside world does not know,
neither can it appreciate, the struggle that is constantly going
on in the hearts of both the Southern white people and their
former slaves to free themselves from racial prejudice; and while
both races are thus struggling they should have the sympathy, the
support, and the forbearance of the rest of the world.
Pages:
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328