出身奴隶

第十二章 筹钱

当我们开设寄宿部时,我们把波特大厅(我们第一栋建筑)的阁楼提供给一些女生居住。但是学生人数,无论男女,都在继续增加。我们可以在校外为许多男生找到住处,但对于女生,我们不希望以这种方式暴露她们。很快,为女生提供更多房间以及为所有学生提供更大寄宿部的问题变得严峻起来。因此,我们最终决定着手建造一栋更大的建筑——一栋包含女生房间并为所有人提供住宿条件的建筑。Afterhavinghadapreliminarysketchoftheneededbuildingmade,wefoundthatitwouldcostabouttenthousanddollars.Wehadnomoneywhateverwithwhichtobegin;stillwedecidedtogivetheneededbuildinganame.Weknewwecouldnameit,eventhoughwewereindoubtaboutourabilitytosecurethemeansforitsconstruction.WedecidedtocalltheproposedbuildingAlabamaHall,inhonourofthestateinwhichwewerelabouring.AgainMissDavidsonbeganmakingeffortstoenlisttheinterestandhelpofthecolouredandwhitepeopleinandnearTuskegee.Theyrespondedwillingly,inproportiontotheirmeans.Thestudents,asinthecaseofourfirstbuilding,PorterHall,begandiggingoutthedirtinordertoallowthelayingofthefoundations.在初步规划了所需的建筑之后,我们发现它大约需要花费一万美元。我们完全没有钱可以开始这项工程;尽管如此,我们还是决定给这座拟建的建筑起个名字。我们知道我们可以给它命名,即使我们不确定能否筹集到建造它的资金。我们决定将其命名为阿拉巴马楼(AlabamaHall),以纪念我们在其中努力工作的州。再次,戴维森小姐开始努力争取附近白人和有色人种对塔斯基吉的关注和支持。他们根据自己的能力,欣然响应。学生们像在我们第一栋建筑波特厅(PorterHall)的案例一样,开始挖土,以便铺设地基。Whenweseemedattheendofourresources,sofarassecuringmoneywasconcerned,somethingoccurredwhichshowedthegreatnessofGeneralArmstrong—somethingwhichprovedhowfarhewasabovetheordinaryindividual.Whenwewereinthemidstofgreatanxietyastowhereandhowweweretogetfundsforthenewbuilding,IreceivedatelegramfromGeneralArmstrongaskingmeifIcouldspendamonthtravellingwithhimthroughtheNorth,andaskingme,ifIcoulddoso,tocometoHamptonatonce.OfcourseIacceptedGeneralArmstrong'sinvitation,andwenttoHamptonimmediately.OnarrivingthereIfoundthattheGeneralhaddecidedtotakeaquartetteofsingersthroughtheNorth,andholdmeetingsforamonthinimportantcities,atwhichmeetingsheandIweretospeak.ImaginemysurprisewhentheGeneraltoldme,further,thatthesemeetingsweretobeheld,notintheinterestsofHampton,butintheinterestsofTuskegee,andthattheHamptonInstitutewastoberesponsibleforalltheexpenses.当我们似乎在筹措资金方面已经无能为力时,发生了一件事情,显示了阿姆斯特朗将军的伟大——这件事证明了他的境界远超普通个人。当时我们正为如何以及从哪里筹集新建筑的资金而深感焦虑,我收到了阿姆斯特朗将军发来的电报,询问我是否能够花一个月时间与他一起在北方旅行,并且如果我可以这样做的话,就立即前往汉普顿。当然,我接受了阿姆斯特朗将军的邀请,立刻赶往汉普顿。到达那里后,我发现将军已经决定带一组四重唱歌手到北方,在重要城市举行为期一个月的会议,会上他和我将发表演讲。更让我惊讶的是,将军进一步告诉我,这些会议不是为了汉普顿的利益,而是为了塔斯基吉的利益,而且汉普顿学院将承担所有费用。Althoughhenevertoldmesoinsomanywords,IfoundthatGeneralArmstrongtookthismethodofintroducingmetothepeopleoftheNorth,aswellasforthesakeofsecuringsomeimmediatefundstobeusedintheerectionofAlabamaHall.AweakandnarrowmanwouldhavereasonedthatallthemoneywhichcametoTuskegeeinthiswaywouldbejustsomuchtakenfromtheHamptonInstitute;butnoneoftheseselfishorshort-sightedfeelingseverenteredthebreastofGeneralArmstrong.Hewastoobigtobelittle,toogoodtobemean.HeknewthatthepeopleintheNorthwhogavemoneygaveitforthepurposeofhelpingthewholecauseofNegrocivilization,andnotmerelyfortheadvancementofanyoneschool.TheGeneralknew,too,thatthewaytostrengthenHamptonwastomakeitacentreofunselfishpowerintheworkingoutofthewholeSouthernproblem.虽然他并没有用这么直白的语言告诉我,但我发现阿姆斯特朗将军采用这种方法不仅是为了把我介绍给北方的人们,也是为了尽快筹集资金用于建造阿拉巴马大厅。一个软弱狭隘的人可能会认为通过这种方式流入塔斯基吉的资金就是从汉普顿学院拿走的,但阿姆斯特朗将军心中从未有过这种自私或目光短浅的想法。他胸怀宽广,从不狭隘;品格高尚,从不卑劣。他知道北方的捐助者捐钱是为了推动整个黑人文明事业的发展,而不仅仅是为了某一所学校的进步。阿姆斯特朗将军也深知,要增强汉普顿学院的实力,就必须让它成为解决南方问题的无私力量中心。InregardtotheaddresseswhichIwastomakeintheNorth,IrecalljustonepieceofadvicewhichtheGeneralgaveme.Hesaid:"Givethemanideaforeveryword."Ithinkitwouldbehardtoimproveuponthisadvice;anditmightbemadetoapplytoallpublicspeaking.FromthattimetothepresentIhavealwaystriedtokeephisadviceinmind.至于我在北方要发表的演讲,我只记得格兰特将军给我的一条建议。他说:“每个词都要传达一个观点。”我认为很难再改进这条建议;它也可能适用于所有的公开演讲。从那时起直到现在,我一直努力牢记他的建议。MeetingswereheldinNewYork,Brooklyn,Boston,Philadelphia,andotherlargecities,andatallofthesemeetingsGeneralArmstrongpleaded,togetherwithmyself,forhelp,notforHampton,butforTuskegee.AtthesemeetingsanespecialeffortwasmadetosecurehelpforthebuildingofAlabamaHall,aswellastointroducetheschooltotheattentionofthegeneralpublic.Inboththeserespectsthemeetingsprovedsuccessful.会议在纽约、布鲁克林、波士顿、费城和其他大城市举行,在所有这些会议上,除了我自己,阿姆斯特朗将军也为塔斯基吉请求援助,不是为汉普顿,而是为塔斯基吉。在这次会议上,特别努力争取为建造阿拉巴马大厅获得帮助,并将学校介绍给公众的注意。在这些方面,会议取得了成功。AfterthatkindlyintroductionIbegangoingNorthalonetosecurefunds.DuringthelastfifteenyearsIhavebeencompelledtospendalargeproportionofmytimeawayfromtheschool,inanefforttosecuremoneytoprovideforthegrowingneedsoftheinstitution.InmyeffortstogetfundsIhavehadsomeexperiencesthatmaybeofinteresttomyreaders.TimeandtimeagainIhavebeenasked,bypeoplewhoaretryingtosecuremoneyforphilanthropicpurposes,whatruleorrulesIfollowedtosecuretheinterestandhelpofpeoplewhowereabletocontributemoneytoworthyobjects.Asfarasthescienceofwhatiscalledbeggingcanbereducedtorules,IwouldsaythatIhavehadbuttworules.First,alwaystodomywholedutyregardingmakingourworkknowntoindividualsandorganizations;and,second,nottoworryabouttheresults.Thissecondrulehasbeenthehardestformetoliveupto.Whenbillsareontheeveoffallingdue,withnotadollarinhandwithwhichtomeetthem,itisprettydifficulttolearnnottoworry,althoughIthinkIamlearningmoreandmoreeachyearthatallworrysimplyconsumes,andtonopurpose,justsomuchphysicalandmentalstrengththatmightotherwisebegiventoeffectivework.Afterconsiderableexperienceincomingintocontactwithwealthyandnotedmen,Ihaveobservedthatthosewhohaveaccomplishedthegreatestresultsarethosewho"keepunderthebody";arethosewhonevergrowexcitedorloseself-control,butarealwayscalm,self-possessed,patient,andpolite.IthinkthatPresidentWilliamMcKinleyisthebestexampleofamanofthisclassthatIhaveeverseen.在那段亲切的介绍之后,我开始独自北上去筹集资金。在过去的十五年里,我不得不花费大量时间离开学校,努力争取资金以满足机构日益增长的需求。在我的筹款过程中,我经历了一些可能对我的读者感兴趣的事情。一次又一次地,那些试图为慈善事业募集资金的人问我,我遵循了什么规则或原则来吸引那些有能力向值得资助的项目捐款的人的注意和帮助。就“乞讨”这门艺术可以被简化为规则而言,我想说我只有两条规则。首先,总是尽全力让我们的工作为个人和组织所知;其次,不要担心结果。这条第二条规则对我来说是最难遵守的。当账单即将到期,而手中没有一分钱来支付它们时,要学着不担忧是非常困难的,尽管我认为每年我都在学习更多,所有焦虑只会消耗身体和精神力量,而这本可以用于有效的工作。在与富人和知名人士接触的过程中,我观察到那些取得最大成就的人是那些“克制身体欲望”的人,他们从不激动或失去自控力,而是始终冷静、镇定、耐心且有礼貌。我认为威廉·麦金莱总统是我见过的这类人的最佳典范。Inordertobesuccessfulinanykindofundertaking,Ithinkthemainthingisforonetogrowtothepointwherehecompletelyforgetshimself;thatis,tolosehimselfinagreatcause.Inproportionasoneloseshimselfintheway,inthesamedegreedoeshegetthehighesthappinessoutofhiswork.要想在任何事业上取得成功,我认为最重要的是一个人要成长到能够完全忘记自己的地步;也就是说,要投身于一项伟大的事业之中。一个人越是能以这种方式忘却自我,在他的工作中就能获得越高的幸福感。MyexperienceingettingmoneyforTuskegeehastaughtmetohavenopatiencewiththosepeoplewhoarealwayscondemningtherichbecausetheyarerich,andbecausetheydonotgivemoretoobjectsofcharity.Inthefirstplace,thosewhoareguiltyofsuchsweepingcriticismsdonotknowhowmanypeoplewouldbemadepoor,andhowmuchsufferingwouldresult,ifwealthypeopleweretopartallatoncewithanylargeproportionoftheirwealthinawaytodisorganizeandcripplegreatbusinessenterprises.Thenveryfewpersonshaveanyideaofthelargenumberofapplicationsforhelpthatrichpeopleareconstantlybeingfloodedwith.Iknowwealthypeoplewhoreceiveasmuchastwentycallsadayforhelp.MorethanoncewhenIhavegoneintotheofficesofrichmen,Ihavefoundhalfadozenpersonswaitingtoseethem,andallcomeforthesamepurpose,thatofsecuringmoney.Andallthesecallsinperson,tosaynothingoftheapplicationsreceivedthroughthemails.Veryfewpeoplehaveanyideaoftheamountofmoneygivenawaybypersonswhoneverpermittheirnamestobeknown.Ihaveoftenheardpersonscondemnedfornotgivingawaymoney,who,tomyownknowledge,weregivingawaythousandsofdollarseveryyearsoquietlythattheworldknewnothingaboutit.我为塔斯基吉筹集资金的经历让我对那些总是因为富人富有而谴责他们,并认为他们应该捐出更多钱给慈善机构的人没有耐心。首先,那些做出这种广泛批评的人不知道,如果富人们一下子拿出他们财富的很大一部分来帮助他人,将会使多少人陷入贫困,又会造成多大的痛苦。其次,很少有人意识到富人每天都会收到大量的求助申请。我认识一些富人,他们每天会收到多达二十个求助请求。不止一次,当我走进富人的办公室时,我发现有六七个等待见他们的人,他们都是为了同一个目的——获取金钱。这些仅仅是亲自上门的求助者,还不包括通过邮件收到的申请。很少有人知道那些从未公开自己名字的捐赠者究竟捐赠了多少资金。我经常听到有人因不捐款而受到批评,但我知道,这些人每年都在默默地捐赠数以千计的美元,外界对此一无所知。Asanexampleofthis,therearetwoladiesinNewYork,whosenamesrarelyappearinprint,butwho,inaquietway,havegivenusthemeanswithwhichtoerectthreelargeandimportantbuildingsduringthelasteightyears.Besidesthegiftofthesebuildings,theyhavemadeothergenerousdonationstotheschool.AndtheynotonlyhelpTuskegee,buttheyareconstantlyseekingopportunitiestohelpotherworthycauses.例如,在纽约有两位女士,她们的名字很少见诸报端,但她们以一种低调的方式,在过去八年里为我们提供了建造三座大型且重要的建筑物的手段。除了捐赠这些大楼外,她们还向学校做出了其他慷慨的捐赠。她们不仅帮助了塔斯基奇大学,而且一直在积极寻求机会去帮助其他值得支持的事业。AlthoughithasbeenmyprivilegetobethemediumthroughwhichagoodmanyhundredthousanddollarshavebeenreceivedfortheworkatTuskegee,Ihavealwaysavoidedwhattheworldcalls"begging."IoftentellpeoplethatIhavenever"begged"anymoney,andthatIamnota"beggar."Myexperienceandobservationhaveconvincedmethatpersistentaskingoutrightformoneyfromtherichdoesnot,asarule,securehelp.Ihaveusuallyproceededontheprinciplethatpersonswhopossesssenseenoughtoearnmoneyhavesenseenoughtoknowhowtogiveitaway,andthatthemeremakingknownofthefactsregardingTuskegee,andespeciallythefactsregardingtheworkofthegraduates,hasbeenmoreeffectivethanoutrightbegging.Ithinkthatthepresentationoffacts,onahigh,dignifiedplane,isallthebeggingthatmostrichpeoplecarefor.虽然我很荣幸通过自己的努力为塔斯基吉的工作筹集到了数十万美元,但我一直避免使用世人所谓的“乞讨”。我经常告诉人们,我从未“乞讨”过金钱,也不是一个“乞丐”。我的经验和观察让我确信,通常情况下,直接向富人索要金钱并不是获取帮助的有效方式。我通常遵循这样的原则:拥有赚钱能力的人也具备足够的智慧来决定如何分配这些钱,而仅仅公布塔斯基吉的事实,特别是毕业生工作的事实,比直接乞讨更为有效。我认为,在高尚且有尊严的基础上呈现事实,就是大多数富人所需要的全部‘乞讨’。Whiletheworkofgoingfromdoortodoorandfromofficetoofficeishard,disagreeable,andcostlyinbodilystrength,yetithassomecompensations.Suchworkgivesonearareopportunitytostudyhumannature.Italsohasitscompensationsingivingoneanopportunitytomeetsomeofthebestpeopleintheworld—tobemorecorrect,IthinkIshouldsaythebestpeopleintheworld.Whenonetakesabroadsurveyofthecountry,hewillfindthatthemostusefulandinfluentialpeopleinitarethosewhotakethedeepestinterestininstitutionsthatexistforthepurposeofmakingtheworldbetter.虽然挨家挨户、走街串巷的工作既辛苦又令人不快,而且需要耗费大量体力,但它也有一些补偿之处。这样的工作让人有机会罕见地研究人性。它还有一个好处,就是能让人结识一些世界上最好的人——更确切地说,我认为应该说是世界上最优秀的人。当你纵观全国时,你会发现这个国家最有用且最具影响力的人是那些最深切关注旨在改善世界的各种机构的人。Atonetime,whenIwasinBoston,Icalledatthedoorofaratherwealthylady,andwasadmittedtothevestibuleandsentupmycard.WhileIwaswaitingforananswer,herhusbandcamein,andaskedmeinthemostabruptmannerwhatIwanted.WhenItriedtoexplaintheobjectofmycall,hebecamestillmoreungentlemanlyinhiswordsandmanner,andfinallygrewsoexcitedthatIleftthehousewithoutwaitingforareplyfromthelady.AfewblocksfromthathouseIcalledtoseeagentlemanwhoreceivedmeinthemostcordialmanner.Hewrotemehischeckforageneroussum,andthen,beforeIhadhadanopportunitytothankhim,said:"Iamsogratefultoyou,Mr.Washington,forgivingmetheopportunitytohelpagoodcause.Itisaprivilegetohaveashareinit.WeinBostonareconstantlyindebtedtoyoufordoingourwork."Myexperienceinsecuringmoneyconvincesmethatthefirsttypeofmanisgrowingmorerareallthetime,andthatthelattertypeisincreasing;thatis,that,moreandmore,richpeoplearecomingtoregardmenandwomenwhoapplytothemforhelpforworthyobjects,notasbeggars,butasagentsfordoingtheirwork.有一次,我在波士顿时,拜访了一位富有的女士家,被允许进入门厅并递上了我的名片。在我等待回复的时候,她的丈夫进来了,用最粗鲁的方式问我想要什么。当我试图解释我的来访目的时,他的话语和态度变得更加无礼,最后变得如此激动,以至于我离开房子时甚至没有等到那位女士的回复。从那座房子几条街之外,我去拜访了一位先生,他以最热情的方式接待了我。他写了一张慷慨金额的支票给我,然后,在我还没来得及感谢他之前,他说:“华盛顿先生,我非常感激您给了我帮助一项善举的机会。能参与其中是一种荣幸。我们波士顿人总是欠您一份情,因为您为我们做了我们的工作。”我筹集资金的经验让我确信,第一种类型的人正在变得越来越少,而第二种类型的人正在增加;也就是说,越来越多的富人开始把向他们寻求帮助的从事值得尊敬事业的人,视为执行他们工作的代理人,而不是乞丐。InthecityofBostonIhaverarelycalleduponanindividualforfundsthatIhavenotbeenthankedforcalling,usuallybeforeIcouldgetanopportunitytothankthedonorforthemoney.Inthatcitythedonorsseemtofeel,inalargedegree,thatanhonourisbeingconferreduponthemintheirbeingpermittedtogive.NowhereelsehaveImetwith,insolargeameasure,thisfineandChristlikespiritasinthecityofBoston,althoughtherearemanynotableinstancesofitoutsidethatcity.Irepeatmybeliefthattheworldisgrowinginthedirectionofgiving.IrepeatthatthemainrulebywhichIhavebeenguidedincollectingmoneyistodomyfulldutyinregardtogivingpeoplewhohavemoneyanopportunityforhelp.在波士顿,我很少有请求个人捐款而没有在得到感谢的情况下就被感谢的经历,通常是在我还没有机会向捐赠者表示感谢之前。在这个城市里,捐赠者似乎在很大程度上感到,被允许捐赠是一种荣誉。除了波士顿,我在其他地方很少见到如此广泛地体现出这种美好而基督般的慷慨精神。尽管在那个城市之外也有许多显著的例子。我再次重申我的信念,世界正在朝着给予的方向发展。我再次强调,在募集资金时,我一直遵循的主要原则是尽我所能,给有经济能力的人提供帮助的机会。IntheearlyyearsoftheTuskegeeschoolIwalkedthestreetsortravelledcountryroadsintheNorthfordaysanddayswithoutreceivingadollar.Oftenasithappened,whenduringtheweekIhadbeendisappointedinnotgettingacentfromtheveryindividualsfromwhomImostexpectedhelp,andwhenIwasalmostbrokendownanddiscouraged,thatgeneroushelphascomefromsomeonewhoIhadhadlittleideawouldgiveatall.在塔斯基吉学校的早期,我在北方的大街小巷或者乡间道路上奔波了数日却未收到一美元。事情常常就是这样,在一周里,当我满怀期望从那些我认为最可能帮助我的人那里失望而归,几乎被击垮并感到沮丧时,那慷慨的帮助却往往来自一个我原本以为不会给予的人。IrecallthatononeoccasionIobtainedinformationthatledmetobelievethatagentlemanwholivedabouttwomilesoutinthecountryfromStamford,Conn.,mightbecomeinterestedinoureffortsatTuskegeeifourconditionsandneedswerepresentedtohim.OnanunusuallycoldandstormydayIwalkedthetwomilestoseehim.AftersomedifficultyIsucceededinsecuringaninterviewwithhim.HelistenedwithsomedegreeofinteresttowhatIhadtosay,butdidnotgivemeanything.Icouldnothelphavingthefeelingthat,inameasure,thethreehoursthatIhadspentinseeinghimhadbeenthrownaway.Still,Ihadfollowedmyusualruleofdoingmyduty.IfIhadnotseenhim,Ishouldhavefeltunhappyoverneglectofduty.我记得有一次,我得到了一些信息,让我相信如果向一位住在距康涅狄格州斯坦福德市乡下大约两英里远的先生介绍我们在塔斯基奇的努力和需求,他可能会对我们产生兴趣。在一个异常寒冷且风雨交加的日子里,我步行了两英里去见他。经过一番困难,我终于成功地得到了与他会面的机会。他对我所说的表现出一定程度的兴趣,但并没有给我任何东西。我忍不住有这样的感觉,即我花在这三个小时拜访他的时间,在某种程度上被浪费了。然而,我还是遵循了我的一贯原则,尽了自己的职责。如果我没有去看他,我会因为没有履行职责而感到不安。TwoyearsafterthisvisitalettercametoTuskegeefromthisman,whichreadlikethis:"EnclosedIsendyouaNewYorkdraftfortenthousanddollars,tobeusedinfurtheranceofyourwork.Ihadplacedthissuminmywillforyourschool,butdeemitwisertogiveittoyouwhileIlive.Irecallwithpleasureyourvisittometwoyearsago."在这次访问两年后,这人给塔斯基吉寄来一封信,信的内容如下:“随信附上一张纽约银行支票,金额为一万美元,用于支持你们的工作。我原本打算把这笔钱放在遗嘱里留给你们学校,但我认为趁我还活着的时候给你们更好。我很高兴地回忆起两年前你们来拜访我的情景。”Icanhardlyimagineanyoccurrencewhichcouldhavegivenmemoregenuinesatisfactionthanthereceiptofthisdraft.Itwasbyfarthelargestsingledonationwhichuptothattimetheschoolhadeverreceived.Itcameatatimewhenanunusuallylongperiodhadpassedsincewehadreceivedanymoney.Wewereingreatdistressbecauseoflackoffunds,andthenervousstrainwastremendous.Itisdifficultformetothinkofanysituationthatismoretryingonthenervesthanthatofconductingalargeinstitution,withheavyobligationstomeet,withoutknowingwherethemoneyistocomefromtomeettheseobligationsfrommonthtomonth.我几乎无法想象有任何事件能给我带来比收到这张汇票更真实的满足感。这无疑是到那时为止学校收到的最大一笔单笔捐赠。它是在我们已经很久没有收到任何资金的时候到来的。由于缺乏资金,我们处境艰难,神经紧张到了极点。对我来说,很难想到有什么情况比在不知道每月的资金来源的情况下运营一个负债累累的大机构更能考验人的神经了。InourcaseIfeltadoubleresponsibility,andthismadetheanxietyallthemoreintense.Iftheinstitutionhadbeenofficeredbywhitepersons,andhadfailed,itwouldhaveinjuredthecauseofNegroeducation;butIknewthatthefailureofourinstitution,officeredbyNegroes,wouldnotonlymeanthelossofaschool,butwouldcausepeople,inalargedegree,tolosefaithintheabilityoftheentirerace.Thereceiptofthisdraftfortenthousanddollars,underallthesecircumstances,partiallyliftedaburdenthathadbeenpressingdownuponmefordays.在我们的案例中,我觉得自己肩负着双重责任,这使得焦虑更加剧烈。如果这所机构由白人管理,并且失败了,它会伤害黑人教育事业;但我知道,我们由黑人管理的机构如果失败了,不仅意味着一所学校的损失,还会在很大程度上让人们对我们整个种族的能力失去信心。在这种情况下,收到这张一万美元的支票,部分减轻了压在我身上已经好几天的负担。FromthebeginningofourworktothepresentIhavealwayshadthefeeling,andlosenoopportunitytoimpressourteacherswiththesameidea,thattheschoolwillalwaysbesupportedinproportionastheinsideoftheinstitutioniskeptcleanandpureandwholesome.从我们工作的开始到现在,我一直有这样的感觉,并且毫不失时机地向我们的老师灌输同样的想法,即学校将会按照机构内部保持清洁、纯洁和健康的程度得到支持。ThefirsttimeIeversawthelateCollisP.Huntington,thegreatrailroadman,hegavemetwodollarsforourschool.ThelasttimeIsawhim,whichwasafewmonthsbeforehedied,hegavemefiftythousanddollarstowardourendowmentfund.BetweenthesetwogiftstherewereothersofgenerousproportionswhichcameeveryyearfrombothMr.andMrs.Huntington.我第一次见到已故的科利斯·P·亨廷顿,这位伟大的铁路大亨时,他给了我们学校两美元。最后一次见到他是在他去世前几个月,他向我们的捐赠基金捐赠了五万美元。在这两次赠与之间,每年都有来自亨廷顿先生和夫人慷慨的大笔捐款。SomepeoplemaysaythatitwasTuskegee'sgoodluckthatbroughttousthisgiftoffiftythousanddollars.No,itwasnotluck.Itwashardwork.Nothingevercomestome,thatisworthhaving,exceptastheresultofhardwork.WhenMr.Huntingtongavemethefirsttwodollars,Ididnotblamehimfornotgivingmemore,butmadeupmymindthatIwasgoingtoconvincehimbytangibleresultsthatwewereworthyoflargergifts.ForadozenyearsImadeastrongefforttoconvinceMr.Huntingtonofthevalueofourwork.Inotedthatjustinproportionastheusefulnessoftheschoolgrew,hisdonationsincreased.NeverdidImeetanindividualwhotookamorekindlyandsympatheticinterestinourschoolthandidMr.Huntington.Henotonlygavemoneytous,buttooktimeinwhichtoadviseme,asafatherwouldason,aboutthegeneralconductoftheschool.有些人可能会说,塔斯基吉得到这五万美元的馈赠是我们的幸运。不,这不是运气。这是辛勤的工作。我所拥有的每一件有价值的东西,都是努力工作的结果。当亨廷顿先生给了我最初的两美元时,我没有责怪他没有给我更多,而是下定决心要通过实际成果来说服他,证明我们值得更大的捐赠。在十二年的时间里,我努力向亨廷顿先生证明我们工作的价值。我注意到,学校越有用,他的捐款就越多。我从未遇到过一个像亨廷顿先生那样对我们学校怀有更慈爱和同情心的人。他不仅给我们钱,还抽出时间来像父亲指导儿子一样,就学校的总体运作给我提供建议。MorethanonceIhavefoundmyselfinsomeprettytightplaceswhilecollectingmoneyintheNorth.ThefollowingincidentIhaveneverrelatedbutoncebefore,forthereasonthatIfearedthatpeoplewouldnotbelieveit.OnemorningIfoundmyselfinProvidence,RhodeIsland,withoutacentofmoneywithwhichtobuybreakfast.IncrossingthestreettoseealadyfromwhomIhopedtogetsomemoney,Ifoundabrightnewtwenty-five-centpieceinthemiddleofthestreettrack.Inotonlyhadthistwenty-fivecentsformybreakfast,butwithinafewminutesIhadadonationfromtheladyonwhomIhadstartedtocall.不止一次,在北方收钱的时候,我都发现自己陷入了相当棘手的境地。以下这件事,我之前只跟别人讲过一次,原因是我觉得人们可能不会相信它。一天早上,我在罗德岛普罗维登斯醒来,身上一分钱都没有,连早饭都买不起。在穿过街道去拜访一位我希望能从她那里得到一些钱的女士时,我发现轨道中间有一枚亮闪闪的新二十五美分硬币。这不仅让我有了买早饭的钱,而且几分钟之内,我就从我原本打算拜访的那位女士那里得到了捐款。AtoneofourCommencementsIwasboldenoughtoinvitetheRev.E.WinchesterDonald,D.D.,rectorofTrinityChurch,Boston,topreachtheCommencementsermon.Aswethenhadnoroomlargeenoughtoaccommodateallwhowouldbepresent,theplaceofmeetingwasunderalargeimprovisedarbour,builtpartlyofbrushandpartlyofroughboards.SoonafterDr.Donaldhadbegunspeaking,theraincamedownintorrents,andhehadtostop,whilesomeoneheldanumbrellaoverhim.在我校的一次毕业典礼上,我斗胆邀请了波士顿三一教堂的温彻斯特·唐纳德博士(Dr.E.WinchesterDonald)主持毕业布道会。由于当时我们没有足够大的房间容纳所有到场的人员,会议地点设在一个大型临时棚屋里,棚屋部分用灌木搭建,部分用粗糙的木板建成。唐纳德博士刚讲了一会儿,大雨倾盆而下,他不得不暂停演讲,而有人则为他撑起了一把伞。TheboldnessofwhatIhaddoneneverdawneduponmeuntilIsawthepicturemadebytherectorofTrinityChurchstandingbeforethatlargeaudienceunderanoldumbrella,waitingfortheraintoceasesothathecouldgoonwithhisaddress.直到我看到三一教堂的牧师站在那把旧伞下,面对着那个庞大的听众群,等待雨停以便继续他的演讲时,我才意识到自己所做之事的胆大妄为。ItwasnotverylongbeforetherainceasedandDr.Donaldfinishedhissermon;andanexcellentsermonitwas,too,inspiteoftheweather.Afterhehadgonetohisroom,andhadgottenthewetthreadsofhisclothesdry,Dr.DonaldventuredtheremarkthatalargechapelatTuskegeewouldnotbeoutofplace.ThenextdayalettercamefromtwoladieswhowerethentravellinginItaly,sayingthattheyhaddecidedtogiveusthemoneyforsuchachapelasweneeded.不久,雨停了,唐纳德博士完成了他的布道;尽管天气不好,这依然是一次非常出色的布道。他回到房间,把湿透的衣服晾干之后,唐纳德博士冒昧地提到,在塔斯基吉建一座大教堂并不是不合适的。第二天,两位当时正在意大利旅行的女士寄来了一封信,说她们已经决定给我们捐赠建造我们所需要的那样一座教堂的资金。AshorttimeagowereceivedtwentythousanddollarsfromMr.AndrewCarnegie,tobeusedforthepurposeoferectinganewlibrarybuilding.Ourfirstlibraryandreading-roomwereinacornerofashanty,andthewholethingoccupiedaspaceaboutfivebytwelvefeet.ItrequiredtenyearsofworkbeforeIwasabletosecureMr.Carnegie'sinterestandhelp.ThefirsttimeIsawhim,tenyearsago,heseemedtotakebutlittleinterestinourschool,butIwasdeterminedtoshowhimthatwewereworthyofhishelp.AftertenyearsofhardworkIwrotehimaletterreadingasfollows:不久前,我们从安德鲁·卡内基先生那里收到了两万美元,用于建造一座新的图书馆大楼。我们的第一座图书馆和阅览室设在一个棚屋的一个角落里,整个空间大约只有五英尺乘十二英尺大小。我花了十年的时间才争取到卡内基先生的兴趣和支持。十年前我第一次见到他时,他对我们的学校似乎不太感兴趣,但我决心要向他展示我们值得他的帮助。经过十年的努力工作,我给他写了一封信,内容如下:December15,1900.1900年12月15日。Mr.AndrewCarnegie,5W.Fifty-firstSt.,NewYork.安德鲁·卡内基先生,纽约市西五十一街5号。DearSir:ComplyingwiththerequestwhichyoumadeofmewhenIsawyouatyourresidenceafewdaysago,Inowsubmitinwritinganappealforalibrarybuildingforourinstitution.尊敬的先生:遵照几天前我到您家拜访时您对我提出的请求,我现在以书面形式提交一份为我校建设图书馆的申请。Wehave1100students,86officersandinstructors,togetherwiththeirfamilies,andabout200colouredpeoplelivingneartheschool,allofwhomwouldmakeuseofthelibrarybuilding.我们有1100名学生、86名校董和教职员工,连同他们的家属,以及学校附近的大约200名有色人种居民,他们都会使用图书馆大楼。Wehaveover12,000books,periodicals,etc.,giftsfromourfriends,butwehavenosuitableplaceforthem,andwehavenosuitablereading-room.我们有超过12,000本书籍、期刊等,这些都是来自朋友们的馈赠,但我们没有合适的地方放置它们,也没有合适的阅览室。OurgraduatesgotoworkineverysectionoftheSouth,andwhateverknowledgemightbeobtainedinthelibrarywouldservetoassistintheelevationofthewholeNegrorace.我们的毕业生会去南方各个领域工作,图书馆里能获得的任何知识都将有助于提升整个黑人群体。Suchabuildingasweneedcouldbeerectedforabout$20,000.Alloftheworkforthebuilding,suchasbrickmaking,brick-masonry,carpentry,blacksmithing,etc.,wouldbedonebythestudents.Themoneywhichyouwouldgivewouldnotonlysupplythebuilding,buttheerectionofthebuildingwouldgivealargenumberofstudentsanopportunitytolearnthebuildingtrades,andthestudentswouldusethemoneypaidtothemtokeepthemselvesinschool.Idonotbelievethatasimilaramountofmoneyoftencouldbemadegosofarinupliftingawholerace.我们需要的那种建筑大约需要花费20,000美元。建筑的所有工作,比如制砖、砌砖、木工、铁匠工艺等,都将由学生完成。你们提供的这笔钱不仅会用于建造大楼,而且建造大楼的机会可以让大量学生学习建筑行业技能,学生们也会用自己的工资继续留在学校读书。我不认为有类似数额的钱能如此有效地提升整个种族。Ifyouwishfurtherinformation,Ishallbegladtofurnishit.如果你需要更多信息,我很乐意提供。Yourstruly,此致BookerT.Washington,Principal.布克·T·华盛顿,校长。Thenextmailbroughtbackthefollowingreply:"Iwillbeverygladtopaythebillsforthelibrarybuildingastheyareincurred,totheextentoftwentythousanddollars,andIamgladofthisopportunitytoshowtheinterestIhaveinyournoblework."下一封信带回了以下回复:“我很乐意支付图书馆大楼产生的账单,总额最高可达两万美元,并且我很高兴借此机会展示我对你们高尚工作的兴趣。”Ihavefoundthatstrictbusinessmethodsgoalongwayinsecuringtheinterestofrichpeople.IthasbeenmyconstantaimatTuskegeetocarryout,inourfinancialandotheroperations,suchbusinessmethodsaswouldbeapprovedofbyanyNewYorkbankinghouse.我发现严格的商业方法在吸引富人兴趣方面大有帮助。在塔斯基吉,我一直致力于在我们的财务和其他运作中实施任何纽约银行都会认可的商业方法。Ihavespokenofseverallargegiftstotheschool;butbyfarthegreaterproportionofthemoneythathasbuiltuptheinstitutionhascomeintheformofsmalldonationsfrompersonsofmoderatemeans.Itisuponthesesmallgifts,whichcarrywiththemtheinterestofhundredsofdonors,thatanyphilanthropicworkmustdependlargelyforitssupport.InmyeffortstogetmoneyIhaveoftenbeensurprisedatthepatienceanddeepinterestoftheministers,whoarebesiegedoneveryhandandatallhoursofthedayforhelp.IfnootherconsiderationhadconvincedmeofthevalueoftheChristianlife,theChristlikeworkwhichtheChurchofalldenominationsinAmericahasdoneduringthelastthirty-fiveyearsfortheelevationoftheblackmanwouldhavemademeaChristian.Inalargedegreeithasbeenthepennies,thenickels,andthedimeswhichhavecomefromtheSunday-schools,theChristianEndeavoursocieties,andthemissionarysocieties,aswellasfromthechurchproper,thathavehelpedtoelevatetheNegroatsorapidarate.我提到过学校收到的几笔大额捐赠;但是,建立这所机构的大部分资金是以小额捐款的形式从收入有限的人那里筹集而来的。正是这些小额捐款,承载着成百上千捐助者的兴趣,任何慈善事业都必须主要依赖这些捐款来获得支持。在我努力筹集资金的过程中,我常常惊讶于牧师们的耐心和深厚的兴趣,他们随时随地都在受到求助。如果没有任何其他理由让我相信基督教生活的价值,那么美国所有教派的教会过去三十五年来为提升黑人所做的基督般的善举就足以让我成为一个基督徒。在很大程度上,是来自主日学校的捐款、基督教奋进协会和传教士协会以及正规教堂的硬币、五分镍币和十分一角币帮助了黑人在如此短的时间内得到提升。ThisspeakingofsmallgiftsremindsmetosaythatveryfewTuskegeegraduatesfailtosendusanannualcontribution.Thesecontributionsrangefromtwenty-fivecentsuptotendollars.提到这些小礼物,我想说,塔斯基吉大学的毕业生中很少有人不给我们寄来年度捐款。这些捐款从二十五美分到十美元不等。Soonafterbeginningourthirdyear'sworkweweresurprisedtoreceivemoneyfromthreespecialsources,anduptothepresenttimewehavecontinuedtoreceivehelpfromthem.First,theStateLegislatureofAlabamaincreaseditsannualappropriationfromtwothousanddollarstothreethousanddollars;Imightaddthatstilllateritincreasedthissumtofourthousandfivehundreddollarsayear.TheefforttosecurethisincreasewasledbytheHon.M.F.Foster,thememberoftheLegislaturefromTuskegee.Second,wereceivedonethousanddollarsfromtheJohnF.SlaterFund.Ourworkseemedtopleasethetrusteesofthisfund,astheysoonbeganincreasingtheirannualgrant.ThishasbeenaddedtofromtimetotimeuntilatpresentwereceiveeleventhousanddollarsannuallyfromtheFund.TheotherhelptowhichIhavereferredcameintheshapeofanallowancefromthePeabodyFund.Thiswasatfirstfivehundreddollars,butithassincebeenincreasedtofifteenhundreddollars.就在我们开始第三年的工作不久后,我们惊讶地收到了来自三个特殊渠道的资金,并且直到现在我们依然持续得到他们的帮助。首先,阿拉巴马州立法机构将其年度拨款从两千元增加到了三千元;我可以补充说明的是,后来这笔金额又进一步增加到每年四千五百元。争取这一增加的努力是由图斯克基的立法委员M.F.福斯特先生领导的。其次,我们收到了约翰·F·斯莱特基金的一千元捐款。我们的工作似乎得到了该基金受托人的认可,因为他们很快开始逐年增加其拨款。这笔资金已经逐步增加,到现在我们每年从该基金获得一万一千元。另一个提到的帮助是以皮博迪基金的形式提供的津贴。最初是五百元,但后来增加到了一千五百元。TheefforttosecurehelpfromtheSlaterandPeabodyFundsbroughtmeintocontactwithtworaremen—menwhohavehadmuchtodoinshapingthepolicyfortheeducationoftheNegro.IrefertotheHon.J.L.M.Curry,ofWashington,whoisthegeneralagentforthesetwofunds,andMr.MorrisK.Jessup,ofNewYork.Dr.CurryisanativeoftheSouth,anex-Confederatesoldier,yetIdonotbelievethereisanymaninthecountrywhoismoredeeplyinterestedinthehighestwelfareoftheNegrothanDr.Curry,oronewhoismorefreefromraceprejudice.HeenjoystheuniquedistinctionofpossessingtoanequaldegreetheconfidenceoftheblackmanandtheSouthernwhiteman.IshallneverforgetthefirsttimeImethim.ItwasinRichmond,Va.,wherehewasthenliving.Ihadheardmuchabouthim.WhenIfirstwentintohispresence,tremblingbecauseofmyyouthandinexperience,hetookmebythehandsocordially,andspokesuchencouragingwords,andgavemesuchhelpfuladviceregardingthepropercoursetopursue,thatIcametoknowhimthen,asIhaveknownhimeversince,asahighexampleofonewhoisconstantlyandunselfishlyatworkforthebettermentofhumanity.争取斯莱特基金和皮博迪基金帮助的努力使我结识了两位罕见的人物——他们在塑造黑人教育政策方面发挥了重要作用。我要说的是华盛顿的J.L.M.卡里博士,他是这两个基金的总代理,以及纽约的莫里斯·K·杰瑟普先生。卡里博士是南方人,前邦联士兵,但我相信在这个国家里,没有哪个人比卡里博士更深切地关心黑人的最高福祉,也没有谁比他更没有种族偏见。他享有独特的荣誉,即同等程度地赢得黑人和南方白人的信任。我永远不会忘记第一次见到他的情景。当时他在弗吉尼亚州里士满生活。我听说过很多关于他的事情。当我第一次走进他的房间,由于年轻和缺乏经验而感到紧张时,他热情地握住我的手,说了些鼓舞人心的话,并就应该采取的正确道路给了我许多有益的建议,从那时起我就知道他,正如我现在所认识的那样,是一个不断无私地致力于改善人类生活的榜样。Mr.MorrisK.Jessup,thetreasureroftheSlaterFund,IrefertobecauseIknowofnomanofwealthandlargeandcomplicatedbusinessresponsibilitieswhogivesnotonlymoneybuthistimeandthoughttothesubjectofthepropermethodofelevatingtheNegrototheextentthatistrueofMr.Jessup.Itisverylargelythroughthiseffortandinfluencethatduringthelastfewyearsthesubjectofindustrialeducationhasassumedtheimportancethatithas,andbeenplacedonitspresentfooting.我之所以提到斯莱特基金的财务负责人莫里斯·K.杰瑟普先生,是因为我知道没有哪个富有的人,在承担着庞大而复杂的商业责任的同时,不仅捐赠金钱,还投入时间和精力研究提升非裔美国人的适当方法,像杰瑟普先生这样做到的。正是由于他的努力和影响力,在过去几年里,工业教育的主题才变得如此重要,并且被置于目前的地位。

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