Booker T. Washington: “After the reading we were told that we were all free, and could go when and where we pleased.”

No one section of our country was wholly responsible for its introduction, and, besides, it was recognized and protected for years by the General Government.

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

I do not know how many have noticed it, but I think that it will be found to be true that there are few instances, either in slavery or freedom, in which a member of my race has been known to betray a specific trust.

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