works. He
is not ashamed or afraid of work. When hard, constant work is
required, ask any Southern white man, and he will tell you that in
this the Negro has no superior. He is not given to strikes or to
lockouts. He not only works himself, but he is unwilling to prevent
other people from working.

Of the forty buildings of various kinds and sizes on the grounds of
the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, in Alabama, as I have
stated before, almost all of them are the results of the labour
performed by the students while securing their academic education. One
day the student is in his history class. The next day the same
student, equally happy, with his trowel and in overalls, is working on
a brick wall.

While at present the Negro may lack that tenacious mental grasp which
enables one to pursue a scientific or mathematical investigation
through a series of years, he has that delicate, mental feeling which
enables him to succeed in oratory, music, etc.

While I have spoken of the Negro's moral weakness, I hope it will be
kept in mind that in his original state his is an honest race. It was
slavery that corrupted him in this respect. But in morals he also has
his strong points.

Few have ever found the Negro guilty of betraying a trust. There are
almost no instances in which the Negro betrayed either a Federal or a
Confederate soldier who confided in him. There are few instances where
the Negro has been entrusted with valuables when he has not been
faithful. This country has never had a more loyal citizen. He has
never proven himself a rebel. Should the Southern States, which so
long held him in slavery, be invaded by a foreign foe, the Negro would
be among the first to come to the rescue.

Perhaps the most encouraging thing in connection with the lifting up
of the Negro in this country is the fact that he knows that he is down
and wants to get up, he knows that he is ignorant and wants to get
light. He fills every school-house and every church which is opened
for him. He is willing to follow leaders, when he is once convinced
that the leaders have his best interest at heart.

Under the constant influence of the Christian education which began
thirty-five years ago, his religion is every year becoming less
emotional and more rational and practical, though I, for one, hope
that he will always retain in a large degree the emotional element in
religion.

During the two hundred and fifty years that the Negro s