Chapter XII: Honored by Harvard University

Tuskegee Institute, in Connection with Hampton, Makes an Industrial Exhibit in New York, Boston and Philadelphia--Academic Work at Tuskegee, Its Thoroughness--The Great Surprise of the Author’s Life--An Account of Commencement at Harvard in June, 1896--The Degree of Master of Arts Conferred Upon Author--Takes Lunch with President Eliot Along with Gen. Miles, Dr. Savage and Others Receiving Honorary Degrees--Speaks at the Alumni Dinner--A Notable Address--The Address in Full--Thos. J. Calloway’s Letter to the Colored American Concerning this Event--Some Newspaper Comments--Speaks to a Large Audience at the Meeting of the National Christian Endeavor Convention, Washington, D. C.--The Following Evening Addresses the National Educational Association at Buffalo, New York, Where 20,000 Teachers Were Present--Some Newspaper Accounts of this Address--Visits North Carolina in October, 1896, and Speaks to the Colored People at a Fair in Durham--While in Durham Invited to Address Students of Trinity College, White--Warmly Received and Heartily Cheered by Students.

CHAPTER XIII.

URGED FOR A CABINET POSITION.

The Washington Post and Other Papers Urge the Appointment of the Author in the Cabinet of President McKinley--Some Extracts From Articles Urging Such Appointment--In the Midst of this Discussion Author Declares He Would Not Accept a Political Position That Would Compel Him to Turn Aside From the Work at Tuskegee--He Speaks in Washington in March, 1897--He Urges Negroes to Cease Depending Too Much on Office Getting, and Give More Attention to Industrial and Business Enterprises--Certain Criticisms of Author Answered.