As for my individual self, it appeared to me to be reasonably certain that I could succeed in political life, but I had a feeling that it would be a rather selfish kind of success—individual success at the cost of failing to do my duty in assisting in laying a foundation for the masses.
From his autobiography, Washington describes his personal conviction that individual political success would be selfish if it detracted from his duty to build a foundation for the broader Black community.
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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 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.
These discussions showed that they understood the situation, and that they kept themselves informed of events by what was termed the “grape-vine” telegraph.
I think I never saw a community of people so happy over anything as were the coloured people over the prospect of this new building.