Page:Boys Life of Booker T. Washington.djvu/89

Rh, April 17, 1903.

My dear Mr. Baldwin:

I have instructed Mr. Franks, Secretary, to deliver to you as Trustee of Tuskegee $600,000 of 5 per cent U. S. Steel Co. bonds to complete the Endowment Fund as per circular.

One condition only—the revenue of one hundred and fifty thousand of these bonds is to be subject to Booker Washington's order to be used by him first for his wants, and those of his family during his life or the life of his widow. If any surplus is left he can use it for Tuskegee. I wish that great and good man to be free from pecuniary cares that he may devote himself wholly to his great mission.

To me he seems one of the foremost of living men, because his work is unique,—the Modern Moses, who leads his race and lifts it through Education to ever better and higher things than a land overflowing with milk and honey. History is to know two Washingtons,—one white, the other black, both fathers of their people. I am satisfied that the serious race question of the South is to be solved wisely only by following Booker Washington's policy, which he seems to have been especially born—a slave among slaves—to establish, and, even in his own day, greatly to advance.

So glad to be able to assist this good work in which you and others are engaged.

To Mr. William H. Baldwin, Jr.,

New York City, N. Y.