satisfaction to the
negro. The following from the article by Mr Speed, already referred to,
gives a word-picture of what takes place on a high public day at
Tuskegee, when friends from far and near assemble to see and hear what
is being done not only in the schools, but by those who also represent
the thirty or more industries which are carried on:--

"At the commencement, held at the end of May, the exercises included not
only music and speaking, but an exhibition of the handiwork of the
pupils, who were called on to show how each kind of work was done. One
showed the method of putting tires on a buggy, another the construction
of a house, another the pinning of the same, and still another the
painting of the structure; the girls showed the process of ironing a
shirt, of cleaning and lighting a lamp, of making bread, cake and pie,
of cutting and fitting a dress, and so on. Other boys illustrated
wheelwrighting, bricklaying, plastering, mattress-making, printing, and
various agricultural processes. To the crowds of interested negroes at
this commencement this seemed something worth while, because it was
practical and within the range of their own experience and
attainment.... Among all the educational efforts among the negroes there
is probably none more interesting, wise or successful than this work of
Mr Washington's at Tuskegee."

To understand what progress has been made, we have to contrast the
present outlook with that of forty years ago, when negroes were
considered to be incapable of living as free people with credit to
themselves, and when certain States actually had laws prohibiting their
being set free.

CHAPTER IX

CONTINUED PROGRESS--POPULARITY AS A SPEAKER

While the now great institution at Tuskegee continued to grow and to
increase in popularity both with the North and the South, there seemed
to be no reason for departure in any measure from the course marked out
by General Armstrong. The number as well as the need of the negroes was
so great that preparatory classes, similar to those which had succeeded
so well at Hampton, were arranged for, and candidates eagerly came
forward for admission--young people whose mettle was sufficiently well
tested by their having to get through a long, hard day's work before
they could enjoy the privilege and luxury of some hours of teaching in
the night school. This kind of service has grown, and at the present
time there