While I was with the President, a white citizen of Atlanta, a
Democrat and an ex-slaveholder, came into the room, and the President
asked his opinion as to the wisdom of his going to Tuskegee. Without
hesitation the Atlanta man replied that it was the proper thing for
him to do. This opinion was reenforced [sic] by that friend of the
race, Dr. J.L.M. Curry. The President promised that he would visit
our school on the 16th of December.
When it became known that the President was going to visit our
school, the white citizens of the town of Tuskegee -- a mile distant
from the school -- were as much pleased as were our students and
teachers. The white people of this town, including both men and
women, began arranging to decorate the town, and to form themselves
into committees for the purpose of cooperating with the officers of
our school in order that the distinguished visitor might have a
fitting reception. I think I never realized before this how much the
white people of Tuskegee and vicinity thought of our institution.
During the days when we were preparing for the President's reception,
dozens of these people came to me and said that, while they did not
want to push themselves into prominence, if there was anything they
could do to help, or to relieve me personally, I had but to intimate
it and they would be only too glad to assist.
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