I said
that in granting the appropriation Congress could do something that
would prove to be of real and lasting value to both races, and that it
was the first great opportunity of the kind that had been presented
since the close of the Civil War.
I spoke for fifteen or twenty minutes, and was surprised at the
close of my address to receive the hearty congratulations of the
Georgia committee and of the members of Congress who were present.
The Committee was unanimous in making a favourable report, and in a
few days the bill passed Congress. With the passing of this bill the
success of the Atlanta Exposition was assured.
Soon after this trip to Washington the directors of the Exposition
decided that it would be a fitting recognition of the coloured race to
erect a large and attractive building which should be devoted wholly
to showing the progress of the Negro since freedom. It was further
decided to have the building designed and erected wholly by Negro
mechanics. This plan was carried out. In design, beauty, and general
finish the Negro Building was equal to the others on the grounds.
After it was decided to have a separate Negro exhibit, the
question arose as to who should take care of it. The officials of the
Exposition were anxious that I should assume this responsibility, but
I declined to do so, on the plea that the work at Tuskegee at that
time demanded my time and strength.
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