Booker T. Washington: “In a rich and prosperous country like America there is absolutely no excuse for persons living in idleness.”

The whole machinery of slavery was so constructed as to cause labour, as a rule, to be looked upon as a badge of degradation, of inferiority.

Even to this day I can recall accurately the tortures that I underwent when putting on one of these garments.

Having once got its tentacles fastened on to the economic and social life of the Republic, it was no easy matter for the country to relieve itself of the institution.

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.