Part 21 (2/2)
_New York, October 26, 1915._
MY DEAR MR. WAs.h.i.+NGTON: I am writing you a very personal letter on a subject that is close to my heart, and I know the message it carries will find a response in your generous sympathy. It is with great pleasure that I recall our meeting, some years ago, and I have watched the success of your work among your people with sincere satisfaction, for I have always been an advocate of the principles for which you stand, the uplift of the colored race.
It is because I know you have ever directed your broad influence toward the most worthy causes that I am asking you in the name of the starving babies and their helpless mothers, to tell your people that we need them in our work of sending food and medicines to Poland. We need, my dear sir, even the smallest contribution that your beloved followers may offer, and I beg of you to make an appeal to your people. Tell them, for they may not all know as well as you, yourself, that it was a Pole--Kosciusko--who, in addition to fighting for American liberty, gave that which he needed himself to help the colored race. As you will recall, after refusing the grant of land offered him in recognition of his services in the War of the Revolution, he returned to Poland, not wis.h.i.+ng to accept a reward for doing what he considered a sublime duty to those in need. Later, after eight years, when he again visited America, he was given a pension as General in the American Army. With the back pay during his absence, the sum amounted to about $15,000. Although poor himself, he felt deep compa.s.sion for the neglected colored children and, with the money given him, he established the first school in America devoted exclusively to the education of the colored youth.
I am sure you know the story in all its details, but I desire the colored people of America to know that to-day the descendants of the man who--unasked--aided them--plead for a crust of bread, a spoonful of milk for their hungry children. Tell them this and G.o.d will bless and prosper you in your telling and them in their giving. Do not think that small amounts are useless--five cents may save a life. I am sending Mr. Paderewski's appeal, but conditions, to-day, are worse now than when it was written. Will you help Poland?
Will you do it now?
Please reply to Hotel Gotham.
Yours in work for humanity,
[Signed] HELENA PADEREWSKI.
_Dr. Booker T. Was.h.i.+ngton, Tuskegee, Alabama._
In spite of disease, pain, and weakness--in spite of the fact that he must have realized that his remaining time for his own chosen work had narrowed down to a matter of weeks--he instantly responded to this appeal. Immediately he sent Madame Paderewski's letter to the Negro press of the entire country with this explanatory note:
MADAME PADEREWSKI'S APPEAL FOR POLISH VICTIMS
Madame Helena Paderewski, wife of the famous pianist, has addressed a letter to Dr. Booker T. Was.h.i.+ngton, of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Inst.i.tute, making an appeal for the Polish victims of the European War. The letter is sent to the press with the thought that there may be those among the Negro people who may feel disposed to respond to Madame Paderewski's appeal.
An organization known as the Polish Victims' Relief Fund has been organized, with headquarters in Aeolian Building, 35 West Forty-Second Street, New York City. Madame Paderewski's letter follows, etc.
Immediately after Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton's death Mrs. Was.h.i.+ngton received the following note from Madame Paderewski:
_New York, November 15, 1916._
_Mrs. Booker T. Was.h.i.+ngton, Tuskegee, Alabama._
MY DEAR MRS. WAs.h.i.+NGTON: It was with a feeling of personal loss that I read this morning of the death of Dr.
Was.h.i.+ngton. I have always admired his courage and wonderful ability, and his pa.s.sing at this time brings a double sorrow, for in this morning's mail I received a copy of the _Tuskegee Student_ containing my letter and appeal to Dr.
Was.h.i.+ngton. I wish it had been possible for me to have thanked him for what he has done, but I am sure that the Heavenly Father will bless this and the many other good works with which he was connected.
I desire you to know how much I appreciate the kindness of Dr. Was.h.i.+ngton and how highly I esteemed him. Please accept my deep sympathy and believe me,
Very sincerely yours,
[Signed] HELENA PADEREWSKI.
Although apparently indifferent to the treatment he received from those about him Booker Was.h.i.+ngton was in reality, as has been said, unusually sensitive. No matter what his engagements he always insisted upon being at home with his wife and children on Thanksgiving Day and on Christmas. One Christmas, about ten years ago, it so happened that no Christmas presents were provided for him. The children gave presents to one another and to their mother and she to them, but through oversight there were no presents for Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton. Mrs.
Was.h.i.+ngton says that after the presents had been opened her husband drew her aside and said in broken tones: ”Maggie, they've not given me a single Christmas present!” From then on Mrs. Was.h.i.+ngton saw to it that the children remembered their father at Christmas.
In Birmingham, Ala., about three years before his death, he and his secretary entered an office building one day to call on one of the Tuskegee Trustees whose office was on the top floor. When they looked for an elevator they were referred by the hall man to the elevator for colored people. On this elevator was a sign reading, ”For Negroes and Freight.” His secretary expected him to comment on this, but he said nothing and seemed hardly to notice it. That evening, in addressing a great audience of both races in one of the big theatres of the city, he was urging the Negroes to look upon their Southern white neighbors as their friends and to turn to them for advice when he said very slowly and distinctly: ”I visited, this morning, a building which had on the elevator for colored people a sign reading, 'For Negroes and Freight.' Now, my friends, that is mighty discouraging to the colored man!” At this not only the colored people, but the white people sprang to their feet and shouted, many of them, ”You're right, Doctor!”
”That's mean!” ”That's not fair!” and other such expressions.
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