Booker T. Washington, Builder o - African American History

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Booker T. Washington, Builder of a Civilization. 68 member of his race for a Federal office in Vicksburg, Miss., President Roosevelt said: "The question of the political importance of the colored man is really of no consequence. I do not care to consider it, and you must not consider it. Give me the very best colored man that you know of for the place, upon whose integrity and capacity we can surely rely." The man, T. V. McAlister, whom Mr. Washington "gave" the President for this office was of such character and reputation that the white citizens of Vicksburg actually welcomed his appointment. Certainly neither Vicksburg nor any other portion of Mississippi can be accused of over-enthusiasm for conferring civil and political privileges upon Negroes. Booker Washington's habit of never losing an opportunity to advance constructively the interests of his people is well illustrated by the following letter to President Roosevelt: Personal] March 20, 1904. MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: It has occurred to me that there are a number of ways in which the colored people of the United States could be of service in digging the Page 85 Panama Canal, and personally I should be glad to do anything in my power in getting them interested if deemed practicable. First: I think they can stand the climate better or as well as any other people from the United States. Second: I have thought that a reasonably satisfactory number of them might be useful as common, or skilled, laborers. Third: That in the Health Department our well-trained nurses and physicians might be found helpful. Fourth: If the United States should assume any responsibility as to education, that many efficient colored teachers from our industrial schools, and colleges, might prove of great benefit. And, then, besides the presence of these educated 24.03.2006
Booker T. Washington, Builder of a Civilization. 69 persons would, in my opinion, both by character and example, aid in influencing the morality of the darker-skinned people to be employed at the Isthmus. I believe that these educated colored people could get closer to the masses than white men. Yours truly, To President Theodore Roosevelt, Washington, D. C. BOOKER T. WASHINGTON. Nothing came of this suggestion except an acknowledgment and an assurance that the matter would be considered. About two years ago, however, when Doctor Washington and Surgeon-General Gorgas met on a train the Surgeon- General said to Mr. Washington: "The Page 86 biggest man at the canal was the Negro," and he added that when they came to the dedication of the canal at its formal opening some Negro should have a place on the program. In recent years a certain section of the Republicans in the far Southern States have tried to free themselves of the reputation of being "nigger lovers" by vying with their Democratic rivals in seeking to deprive Negroes of civic and political rights. Republicans of this particular stripe are known colloquially as the "Lily Whites." In this connection the following correspondence is of interest. Copy] Personal] White House, Washington, March 21, 1904. DEAR MR. WASHINGTON: By direction of the President I send you herewith for your private information a copy of letter from the President to Mr.----, dated February 24, 1904. Please return it to me when you have read it. Yours very truly, WM. LOEB, JR., 24.03.2006
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