" Gradually, though, I noted with
satisfaction that a sentiment in favour of work was gaining ground.
After a few weeks of hard work the foundations were ready, and a day
was appointed for the laying of the corner-stone.
When it is considered that the laying of this corner-stone took
place in the heart of the South, in the "Black Belt," in the centre of
that part of our country that was most devoted to slavery; that at
that time slavery had been abolished only about sixteen years; that
only sixteen years before no Negro could be taught from books without
the teacher receiving the condemnation of the law or of public
sentiment -- when all this is considered, the scene that was witnessed
on that spring day at Tuskegee was a remarkable one. I believe there
are few places in the world where it could have taken place.
The principal address was delivered by the Hon. Waddy Thompson,
the Superintendent of Education for the county. About the corner-
stone were gathered the teachers, the students, their parents and
friends, the county officials -- who were white -- and all the leading
white men in that vicinity, together with many of the black men and
women whom the same white people but a few years before had held a
title to as property. The members of both races were anxious to
exercise the privilege of placing under the corner-stone some momento.
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