Booker T. Washington: “I am often asked to express myself more freely than I do upon the political condition and the political future of my…”

Even the most ignorant members of my race on the remote plantations felt in their hearts, with a certainty that admitted of no doubt, that the freedom of the slaves would be the one great result of the war, if the Northern armies conquered.

When freedom came, the slaves were almost as well fitted to begin life anew as the master, except in the matter of book-learning and ownership of property.

Before the end of the year, I think I began learning that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.

Until that question was asked it had never occurred to me that there was no period of my life that was devoted to play.