Booker T. Washington: “In proportion as we do this, we shall lay a foundation upon which our children and grandchildren are to rise to higher…”

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.

But taking place at the time it did, and for the reason that it did, no one could ever make me believe that my mother was guilty of thieving.

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.

I pity from the bottom of my heart any nation or body of people that is so unfortunate as to get entangled in the net of slavery.