Booker T. Washington: “But in our case, from the captain down to the most humble servant, we were treated with the greatest kindness.”

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.

I cannot remember having slept in a bed until after our family was declared free by the Emancipation Proclamation.

I knew that if we failed it would injure the whole race.

Ever since I have been old enough to think for myself, I have entertained the idea that, notwithstanding the cruel wrongs inflicted upon us, the black man got nearly as much out of slavery as the white man did.