Southern whites not only so recognize it, but they are imitating
it in the teaching of the neglected masses of their own race. It
has thus come about that the school is taking a more direct and
helpful hold on life in the South than anywhere else in the
country. Education is not a thing apart from life--not a
"system," nor a philosophy; it is direct teaching how to live and
how to work.

To say that Mr. Washington has won the gratitude of all
thoughtful Southern white men, is to say that he has worked with
the highest practical wisdom at a large constructive task; for no
plan for the up-building of the freedman could succeed that ran
counter to Southern opinion. To win the support of Southern
opinion and to shape it was a necessary part of the task; and in
this he has so well succeeded that the South has a sincere and
high regard for him. He once said to me that he recalled the day,
and remembered it thankfully, when he grew large enough to regard
a Southern white man as he regarded a Northern one. It is well
for our common country that the day is come when he and his work
are regarded as highly in the South as in any other part of the
Union. I think that no man of our generation has a more
noteworthy achievement to his credit than this; and it is an
achievement of moral earnestness of the strong character of a man
who has done a great national service.

Walter H. Page.



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