Booker T. Washington: “I determined never to say anything in a public address in the North that I would not be willing to say in the South.”

These discussions showed that they understood the situation, and that they kept themselves informed of events by what was termed the “grape-vine” telegraph.

The picture of several dozen boys and girls in a schoolroom engaged in study made a deep impression upon me, and I had the feeling that to get into a schoolhouse and study in this way would be about the same as getting into paradise.

I have never seen one who did not want to be free, or one who would return to slavery.

I have long since ceased to cherish any spirit of bitterness against the Southern white people on account of the enslavement of my race.