llowing letter:

[_Personal_]

_Tuskegee Institute, Alabama,_
_November 10, 1904_.

MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I cannot find words in which to
express my feeling regarding the tremendous outcome of
Tuesday's election. I know that you feel the sacred and
almost divine confidence imposed. In my opinion, no human
being in America since Washington, perhaps, has been so
honored and vindicated. The result shows that the great
heart of the American people beats true and is in the
direction of fair play for all, regardless of race or color.
Nothing has ever occurred which has given me more faith in
all races or shows more plainly that they will respond to
high ideals when properly appealed to.

I know that you will not misunderstand me when I say I share
somewhat the feeling of triumph and added responsibility
that must animate your soul at the present time because of
the personal abuse heaped upon you on account of myself. The
great victory and vindication does not make me feel boastful
or vainglorious, but, on the other hand, very humble, and
gives me more faith in humanity and makes me more determined
to work harder in the interest of all our people of both
races regardless of race or color. I shall urge our people
everywhere to manifest their gratitude by showing a spirit
of meekness and added usefulness. The election shows to
what a great height you have already lifted the character of
American citizenship. Before you leave the White House I am
sure that the whole South will understand you and love you.

God keep you and bless you.

Yours most sincerely,

[Signed] BOOKER T. WASHINGTON.

_To President Theodore Roosevelt, White House, Washington_

President Roosevelt expressed great appreciation of this letter and
said that Mr. Washington had taken the election in just the way he
would have wished him to take it.

About two years later Mr. Washington wrote President Roosevelt another
letter which throws light upon the relations between the two men as
well as upon the incongruous phases of racial prejudice:

_Tuskegee Institute, Alabama,_
_June 19, 1906._

MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: It will interest you to know that the
Cox family, over whom such a disturbance was made in
connection with the Indianola, Miss., post-office, have