8/3/2019 Booker T. Washington--Address Delivered at the Alumni
Dinner of Harvard University, June 24, 1896--After Receivin
5/16
ADDRESS OFBOOKER T. WASHINQTON,//
DELIVERED AT THEALUMNI LMNNER
OFHARVARD UNIVERSITY,
OAMBRIDGK, MASS.
JUNE 24, 1896-
Tviskegee Institute Steam Print,Tuskegee, Ala., lyoi.
8/3/2019 Booker T. Washington--Address Delivered at the Alumni
Dinner of Harvard University, June 24, 1896--After Receivin
7/16
MA !/-.First in the history of America, a leading American I
niver-confers an honorary degree upon a colored man. Harvardbeen
always to the front in ideas of liberty, freedom andWhen other
colleges of the North were accepting theas a tolerance, Harvard had
been awarding him honors, asthe case of Clement G . Morgan of
recent date. Her present
, therefore, in placing an honorary crown upon the worthyof Mr.
Washington, is but a step further in her magnanimin recognixing
merit under whatever color of skin.The mere announcement of this
event is a great testimony tostanding of Mr. Washington, but to any
black person who, -as
did. saw and heard the enthusiasm and applause with which
thecheered the announcement by President Eliot .the degreewas
insignificant. The Boston Lancers had conducted Gov.to Cambridge,
and f>00 Harvard graduates had double
the march to Sanders Theatre. It was a great day.
Latindisquisitions, dissertations and essays in English wereby
selected graduates, clad in stately and classic cap
gown. Bishops, generals, commodores, statesmen,
authors,explorers, millionaires and noted men of every calling,
satearnest listeners. .President Eliot had issued f)00 diplomas
bythem to the representatives of the graduates in bundles
twenty to twenty-five. Then came the awarding of
honoraryThirteen were issued. Bishop Vincent and GeneralA. Miles,
Commander of the I*. S. Army, being among
re
