When we told some Americans that we were going to the
Luxembourg Palace to see a painting by an American Negro, it was hard
to convince them that a Negro had been thus honoured. I do not
believe that they were really convinced of the fact until they saw the
picture for themselves. My acquaintance with Mr. Tanner reenforced
[sic] in my mind the truth which I am constantly trying to impress
upon our students at Tuskegee -- and on our people throughout the
country, as far as I can reach them with my voice -- that any man,
regardless of colour, will be recognized and rewarded just in
proportion as he learns to do something well -- learns to do it better
than some one else -- however humble the thing may be. As I have
said, I believe that my race will succeed in proportion as it learns
to do a common thing in an uncommon manner; learns to do a thing so
thoroughly that no one can improve upon what it has done; learns to
make its services of indispensable value. This was the spirit that
inspired me in my first effort at Hampton, when I was given the
opportunity to sweep and dust that schoolroom. In a degree I felt
that my whole future life depended upon the thoroughness with which I
cleaned that room, and I was determined to do it so well that no one
could find any fault with the job.
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