Booker T. Washington

My own belief is, although I have never before said so in so many words, that the time will come when the Negro in the South will be accorded all the political rights which his ability, character, and material possessions entitle him to.

My experience with them, as well as other events in my life, convince me that the thing to do, when one feels sure that he has said or done the right thing, and is condemned, is to stand still and keep quiet.

The improvement in the character and life of the Negro ministers is one of the most gratifying evidences of the progress of the race.

I knew that I was right, and that time and the sober second thought of the people would vindicate me.

I have also found that few things, if any, are capable of making one so blind and narrow as race prejudice.

In meeting men, in many places, I have found that the happiest people are those who do the most for others; the most miserable are those who do the least.

No man whose vision is bounded by colour can come into contact with what is highest and best in the world.

In my contact with people I find that, as a rule, it is only the little, narrow people who live for themselves, who never read good books, who do not travel, who never open up their souls in a way to permit them to come into contact with…

To all these communications I replied that my life-work was at Tuskegee; and that whenever I spoke it must be in the interests of Tuskegee school and my race, and that I would enter into no arrangements that seemed to place a mere…

Not only this, but the opportunity here afforded will awaken among us a new era of industrial progress.

It is a recognition that will do more to cement the friendship of the two races than any occurrence since the dawn of our freedom.

President and Directors, the sentiment of the masses of my race when I say that in no way have the value and manhood of the American Negro been more fittingly and generously recognized than by the managers of this magnificent Exposition at…