出身奴隶

第十六章 欧洲

1893年,我娶了来自密西西比州的玛格丽特·詹姆斯·默里小姐为妻,她毕业于田纳西州纳什维尔的菲斯克大学,几年前作为教师来到塔斯克基,在我们结婚时担任女子舍监一职。除了直接参与学校的事务并与我分担许多负担和困扰外,华盛顿夫人还在塔斯克基镇主持一场母亲会议,并在离塔斯克基约八英里远的一个大种植园附属的定居点内开展针对妇女、儿童和男子的种植园工作。这些母亲会议和种植园工作的开展不仅是为了帮助那些直接接触到的人,而且是为了给我们的学生提供示范案例,以便他们将来在从事自己的人生工作时能够借鉴这两种类型的工作。Asidefromthesetwoenterprises,Mrs.Washingtonisalsolargelyresponsibleforawoman'sclubattheschoolwhichbringstogether,twiceamonth,thewomenwholiveontheschoolgroundsandthosewholivenear,forthediscussionofsomeimportanttopic.SheisalsothePresidentofwhatisknownastheFederationofSouthernColouredWomen'sClubs,andisChairmanoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheNationalFederationofColouredWomen'sClubs.除了这两项事业,华盛顿夫人还负责学校里一个女性俱乐部的工作,该俱乐部每月两次将居住在学校场地内的女性和附近生活的女性聚集在一起,讨论一些重要话题。她还是被称为南方有色人种妇女俱乐部联合会的主席,并且是全国有色人种妇女俱乐部联合会执行委员会的主席。Portia,theoldestofmythreechildren,haslearneddressmaking.Shehasunusualabilityininstrumentalmusic.AsidefromherstudiesatTuskegee,shehasalreadybeguntoteachthere.我的三个孩子中最大的波蒂亚学会了裁缝。她在器乐方面有非凡的才能。除了在塔斯基吉的学习外,她已经开始在那里教学。BookerTaliaferroismynextoldestchild.Youngasheis,hehasalreadynearlymasteredthebrickmason'strade.Hebeganworkingatthistradewhenhewasquitesmall,dividinghistimebetweenthisandclasswork;andhehasdevelopedgreatskillinthetradeandafondnessforit.Hesaysthatheisgoingtobeanarchitectandbrickmason.OneofthemostsatisfactorylettersthatIhaveeverreceivedfromanyonecametomefromBookerlastsummer.WhenIlefthomeforthesummer,Itoldhimthathemustworkathistradehalfofeachday,andthattheotherhalfofthedayhecouldspendashepleased.WhenIhadbeenawayfromhometwoweeks,Ireceivedthefollowingletterfromhim:布克·塔里法罗是我下一个最大的孩子。尽管他还很年轻,但他已经几乎掌握了砖匠手艺。他很小的时候就开始从事这项工作,把时间分配在这份手艺和学业之间;并且他在手艺方面展现出了极大的技巧,并且对此产生了浓厚的兴趣。他说他将来要成为一名建筑师兼砖匠。我收到过的最令人满意的信件之一来自布克去年夏天。当我夏天离开家时,我告诉他每天必须花一半的时间在他的手艺上,另一半时间可以自由安排。我离家两周后,收到了他的以下来信:Tuskegee,Alabama.亚拉巴马州塔斯克基。MydearPapa:Beforeyoulefthomeyoutoldmetoworkatmytradehalfofeachday.IlikemyworksomuchthatIwanttoworkatmytradeallday.Besides,IwanttoearnallthemoneyIcan,sothatwhenIgotoanotherschoolIshallhavemoneytopaymyexpenses.亲爱的爸爸:您离开家之前告诉我要每天花一半时间做我的手艺活。我非常喜欢我的工作,以至于我想整天都在做手艺活。此外,我还想赚尽可能多的钱,这样当我去另一所学校时,我就有足够的钱支付我的开销了。Yourson,你的儿子,Booker.布克。Myyoungestchild,ErnestDavidsonWashington,saysthatheisgoingtobeaphysician.Inadditiontogoingtoschool,wherehestudiesbooksandhasmanualtraining,heregularlyspendsaportionofhistimeintheofficeofourresidentphysician,andhasalreadylearnedtodomanyofthedutieswhichpertaintoadoctor'soffice.我的小儿子欧内斯特·戴维森·华盛顿说他将来要当一名医生。除了上学读书和参加手工训练外,他还定期到我们驻地医生的办公室帮忙,在那里他已经学会了许多与医生办公室相关的职责。Thethinginmylifewhichbringsmethekeenestregretisthatmyworkinconnectionwithpublicaffairskeepsmeforsomuchofthetimeawayfrommyfamily,where,ofallplacesintheworld,Idelighttobe.Ialwaysenvytheindividualwhoselife-workissolaidthathecanspendhiseveningsathome.Ihavesometimesthoughtthatpeoplewhohavethisrareprivilegedonotappreciateitastheyshould.Itissucharestandrelieftogetawayfromcrowdsofpeople,andhandshaking,andtravelling,togethome,evenifitbeforbutaverybriefwhile.我生活中最令我感到遗憾的事情就是,我在公共事务上的工作使我很多时候无法陪伴我的家人,在这个世界上,我最喜欢的地方就是在家人的身边。我总是羡慕那些生活安排得可以每天晚上都在家的人。有时我想,那些拥有这种稀有特权的人并没有充分意识到它的价值。远离人群、握手寒暄和旅行之后,回到家哪怕只是短暂的时间,也是一种放松和解脱。AnotherthingatTuskegeeoutofwhichIgetagreatdealofpleasureandsatisfactionisinthemeetingwithourstudents,andteachers,andtheirfamilies,inthechapelfordevotionalexerciseseveryeveningathalf-pasteight,thelastthingbeforeretiringforthenight.Itisaninspiringsightwhenonestandsontheplatformthereandseesbeforehimelevenortwelvehundredearnestyoungmenandwomen;andonecannotbutfeelthatitisaprivilegetohelptoguidethemtoahigherandmoreusefullife.塔斯基吉让我感到非常愉快和满足的事情之一,就是每天晚上八点半,在寝室就寝前,和学生们、教师们以及他们的家人一起在礼堂进行宗教仪式活动。站在讲台上,看到眼前有十一二百名热情洋溢的年轻人时,那是一幅令人振奋的景象;没有人不觉得能够帮助他们走向更高尚、更有用的人生是一种荣幸。Inthespringof1899therecametomewhatImightdescribeasalmostthegreatestsurpriseofmylife.SomegoodladiesinBostonarrangedapublicmeetingintheinterestsofTuskegee,tobeheldintheHollisStreetTheatre.ThismeetingwasattendedbylargenumbersofthebestpeopleofBoston,ofbothraces.BishopLawrencepresided.Inadditiontoanaddressmadebymyself,Mr.PaulLawrenceDunbarreadfromhispoems,andDr.W.E.B.DuBoisreadanoriginalsketch.1899年春天,发生了一件几乎是我一生中最大的意外。波士顿的一些善良女士们为塔斯克基安排了一场公共会议,该会议在霍利斯街剧院举行。许多波士顿最好的人,包括不同种族的人,都出席了这次会议。劳伦斯主教主持了会议。除了我所做的演讲外,保罗·劳伦斯·邓巴先生朗读了他的诗歌,W.E.B.杜波依斯博士也朗读了一个原创短篇。SomeofthosewhoattendedthismeetingnoticedthatIseemedunusuallytired,andsomelittletimeafterthecloseofthemeeting,oneoftheladieswhohadbeeninterestedinitaskedmeinacasualwayifIhadeverbeentoEurope.IrepliedthatIneverhad.SheaskedmeifIhadeverthoughtofgoing,andItoldherno;thatitwassomethingentirelybeyondme.Thisconversationsoonpassedoutofmymind,butafewdaysafterwardIwasinformedthatsomefriendsinBoston,includingMr.FrancisJ.Garrison,hadraisedasumofmoneysufficienttopayalltheexpensesofMrs.Washingtonandmyselfduringathreeorfourmonths'triptoEurope.Itwasaddedwithemphasisthatwemustgo.AyearprevioustothisMr.GarrisonhadattemptedtogetmetopromisetogotoEuropeforasummer'srest,withtheunderstandingthathewouldberesponsibleforraisingthemoneyamonghisfriendsfortheexpensesofthetrip.AtthattimesuchajourneyseemedsoentirelyforeigntoanythingthatIshouldeverbeabletoundertakethatIdidconfessIdidnotgivethematterveryseriousattention;butlaterMr.GarrisonjoinedhiseffortstothoseoftheladieswhomIhavementioned,andwhentheirplansweremadeknowntomeMr.Garrisonnotonlyhadtheroutemappedout,buthad,Ibelieve,selectedthesteameruponwhichweweretosail.参加这次会议的一些人注意到我似乎格外疲惫,会议结束后不久,一位对该会议感兴趣的女士随口问我是否曾经去过欧洲。我回答说从未去过。她又问我是否曾考虑过去,我告诉她没有;那对我来说完全是不可能的事。这段对话很快从我的脑海中消失了,但几天之后,我被告知波士顿的一些朋友,包括弗朗西斯·J.加里森先生,筹集了一笔足够的钱,可以支付我和华盛顿夫人三个月到四个月欧洲之旅的所有开销。而且强调我们必须去。一年前,加里森先生曾试图让我承诺去欧洲度暑假,他负责向他的朋友们筹集旅行费用。当时,这样一次旅行对我来说显得如此不切实际,以至于我承认并没有认真对待这件事;但后来,加里森先生加入了那些我提到的女士们的努力,当他们的计划告知于我时,我相信不仅路线已经规划好了,而且他甚至选定了我们即将乘坐的轮船。ThewholethingwassosuddenandsounexpectedthatIwascompletelytakenoffmyfeet.IhadbeenatworksteadilyforeighteenyearsinconnectionwithTuskegee,andIhadneverthoughtofanythingelsebutendingmylifeinthatway.Eachdaytheschoolseemedtodependuponmemorelargelyforitsdailyexpenses,andItoldtheseBostonfriendsthat,whileIthankedthemsincerelyfortheirthoughtfulnessandgenerosity,IcouldnotgotoEurope,forthereasonthattheschoolcouldnotlivefinanciallywhileIwasabsent.TheytheninformedmethatMr.HenryL.Higginson,andsomeothergoodfriendswhoIknowdonotwanttheirnamesmadepublic,werethenraisingasumofmoneywhichwouldbesufficienttokeeptheschoolinoperationwhileIwasaway.AtthispointIwascompelledtosurrender.Everyavenueofescapehadbeenclosed.这一切发生得如此突然,如此出乎意料,以至于我完全不知所措。我在塔斯基吉已经连续工作了十八年,从未想过以其他方式结束我的生活。每一天,学校似乎都更加依赖我来维持日常开支,我告诉这些波士顿的朋友,虽然我真心感谢他们的体贴和慷慨,但我不能去欧洲,因为如果我不在,学校在财务上将无法继续运转。他们告诉我,亨利·L·希金森先生和其他一些我知道不希望公开姓名的好朋友正在筹集一笔钱,这笔钱足以在我不在的时候维持学校的运作。在这种情况下,我被迫屈服了。所有逃避的机会都被堵死了。Deepdowninmyheartthewholethingseemedmorelikeadreamthanlikereality,andforalongtimeitwasdifficultformetomakemyselfbelievethatIwasactuallygoingtoEurope.Ihadbeenbornandlargelyrearedinthelowestdepthsofslavery,ignorance,andpoverty.InmychildhoodIhadsufferedforwantofaplacetosleep,forlackoffood,clothing,andshelter.Ihadnothadtheprivilegeofsittingdowntoadining-tableuntilIwasquitewellgrown.Luxurieshadalwaysseemedtometobesomethingmeantforwhitepeople,notformyrace.IhadalwaysregardedEurope,andLondon,andParis,muchasIregardedheaven.AndnowcoulditbethatIwasactuallygoingtoEurope?Suchthoughtsasthesewereconstantlywithme.在内心深处,这一切对我来说更像是一个梦,而不是现实,很长一段时间我都难以说服自己相信我真的要去欧洲了。我出生并主要在奴隶制、无知和贫困的最底层长大。在我的童年时期,我因缺乏睡觉的地方、食物、衣服和住所而受苦。直到我长大成人,我才有了坐下来在餐桌上吃饭的机会。我一直认为奢侈品是为白人准备的,而不是为我们这个种族的人准备的。我总是把欧洲、伦敦和巴黎看作天堂一样。而现在我真的要去欧洲了吗?这样的想法一直伴随着我。Twootherthoughtstroubledmeagooddeal.IfearedthatpeoplewhoheardthatMrs.WashingtonandIweregoingtoEuropemightnotknowallthecircumstances,andmightgettheideathatwehadbecome,assomemightsay,"stuckup,"andweretryingto"showoff."IrecalledthatfrommyyouthIhadhearditsaidthattoooften,whenpeopleofmyracereachedanydegreeofsuccess,theywereinclinedtoundulyexaltthemselves;totryandapethewealthy,andinsodoingtolosetheirheads.Thefearthatpeoplemightthinkthisofushauntedmeagooddeal.Then,too,Icouldnotseehowmyconsciencewouldpermitmetosparethetimefrommyworkandbehappy.Itseemedmeanandselfishinmetobetakingavacationwhileotherswereatwork,andwhiletherewassomuchthatneededtobedone.FromthetimeIcouldremember,Ihadalwaysbeenatwork,andIdidnotseehowIcouldspendthreeorfourmonthsindoingnothing.ThefactwasthatIdidnotknowhowtotakeavacation.另外两个想法让我非常困扰。我担心听到我和华盛顿夫人要去欧洲的人们可能不了解所有的情况,可能会以为我们变得“自高自大”,想要“炫耀”。我回想起从小我就听说,我的种族中的人一旦取得一点成功,就往往容易过于自我膨胀;试图模仿富人,并因此迷失方向。我害怕人们会这样看待我们,这让我十分苦恼。此外,我也无法看到我的良心如何能允许我抽出时间从工作中脱身并感到快乐。我觉得对我来说,别人工作的时候我去度假,而且还有那么多事情需要做,这样做显得自私且小气。从我能记事起,我就一直在工作,我不知道怎么能在什么都不做的情况下度过三到四个月。事实上,我不知道该怎么去度假。Mrs.Washingtonhadmuchthesamedifficultyingettingaway,butshewasanxioustogobecauseshethoughtthatIneededtherest.ThereweremanyimportantNationalquestionsbearinguponthelifeoftheracewhichwerebeingagitatedatthattime,andthismadeitalltheharderforustodecidetogo.WefinallygaveourBostonfriendsourpromisethatwewouldgo,andthentheyinsistedthatthedateofourdeparturebesetassoonaspossible.SowedecideduponMay10.MygoodfriendMr.Garrisonkindlytookchargeofallthedetailsnecessaryforthesuccessofthetrip,andhe,aswellasotherfriends,gaveusagreatnumberoflettersofintroductiontopeopleinFranceandEngland,andmadeotherarrangementsforourcomfortandconvenienceabroad.Good-bysweresaidatTuskegee,andwewereinNewYorkMay9,readytosailthenextday.OurdaughterPortia,whowasthenstudyinginSouthFramingham,Mass.,cametoNewYorktoseeusoff.Mr.Scott,mysecretary,camewithmetoNewYork,inorderthatImightclearupthelastbitofbusinessbeforeIleft.OtherfriendsalsocametoNewYorktoseeusoff.Justbeforewewentonboardthesteameranotherpleasantsurprisecametousintheformofaletterfromtwogenerousladies,statingthattheyhaddecidedtogiveusthemoneywithwhichtoerectanewbuildingtobeusedinproperlyhousingallourindustriesforgirlsatTuskegee.华盛顿夫人离开也遇到了不少困难,但她非常渴望去,因为她认为我需要休息。当时有许多重要的国家问题涉及种族的生活正在被热议,这让我们更难下定决心去旅行。我们最终向波士顿的朋友承诺我们会去,然后他们坚持要尽快确定我们的出发日期。于是我们决定在5月10日启程。我的好朋友加里森先生热心地负责了这次旅行所需的所有细节,他以及其他朋友还为我们提供了许多介绍信给法国和英国的人们,并为我们在国外的舒适和便利做了其他安排。我们在塔斯基吉大学道别后,于5月9日到达纽约,准备第二天登船。我们的女儿波尔提娅当时正在马萨诸塞州南弗雷明汉学习,她来纽约为我们送行。我的秘书斯科特先生也陪我来到纽约,以便在我离开前处理完最后一点事务。其他朋友也来到纽约为我们送行。就在我们登上轮船之前,我们又收到了两位慷慨的女士的来信,信中说她们已经决定给我们一笔钱,用于建造一座新建筑,以妥善安置塔斯基吉所有女孩的产业。WeweretosailontheFriesland,oftheRedStarLine,andabeautifulvesselshewas.Wewentonboardjustbeforenoon,thehourofsailing.Ihadneverbeforebeenonboardalargeoceansteamer,andthefeelingwhichtookpossessionofmewhenIfoundmyselfthereisratherhardtodescribe.Itwasafeeling,Ithink,ofawemingledwithdelight.Wewereagreeablysurprisedtofindthatthecaptain,aswellasseveraloftheotherofficers,notonlyknewwhowewere,butwasexpectingusandgaveusapleasantgreeting.Therewereseveralpassengerswhomweknew,includingSenatorSewell,ofNewJersey,andEdwardMarshall,thenewspapercorrespondent.Ihadjustalittlefearthatwewouldnotbetreatedcivillybysomeofthepassengers.ThisfearwasbaseduponwhatIhadheardotherpeopleofmyrace,whohadcrossedtheocean,sayaboutunpleasantexperiencesincrossingtheoceaninAmericanvessels.Butinourcase,fromthecaptaindowntothemosthumbleservant,weweretreatedwiththegreatestkindness.Norwasthiskindnessconfinedtothosewhowereconnectedwiththesteamer;itwasshownbyallthepassengersalso.TherewerenotafewSouthernmenandwomenonboard,andtheywereascordialasthosefromotherpartsofthecountry.我们将搭乘红星级别的弗里斯兰号(Friesland)启航,这是一艘漂亮的船只。就在正午出发时间前,我们登上了船。这是我第一次登上一艘大型远洋客轮,当我发现自己在那里时,那种感觉很难用语言描述。我想,这是一种敬畏与喜悦交织的情感。让我们感到愉快的是,发现船长以及其他几位船员不仅知道我们的身份,还期待着我们的到来,并热情地向我们打招呼。我们还认识了几位乘客,包括新泽西州参议员西威尔(SenatorSewell)和报纸记者爱德华·马歇尔(EdwardMarshall)。我有一点点担心,怕一些乘客不会对我们礼貌相待。这种担忧源于我听闻的其他同种族的人横渡海洋时,在美国船只上的不愉快经历。但在我们的情况下,从船长到最卑微的服务人员,我们都受到了极大的友善对待。这种善意并不局限于与船只有关的人员;所有乘客也都表现出同样的友好态度。船上还有不少来自南方的男女乘客,他们和来自其他国家的乘客一样热情友好。Assoonasthelastgood-bysweresaid,andthesteamerhadcutloosefromthewharf,theloadofcare,anxiety,andresponsibilitywhichIhadcarriedforeighteenyearsbegantoliftitselffrommyshouldersattherate,itseemedtome,ofapoundaminute.ItwasthefirsttimeinallthoseyearsthatIhadfelt,eveninameasure,freefromcare;andmyfeelingofreliefitishardtodescribeonpaper.AddedtothiswasthedelightfulanticipationofbeinginEuropesoon.Itallseemedmorelikeadreamthanlikeareality.就在最后的告别刚说完,轮船从码头解开缆绳时,我背负了十八年的忧虑、焦虑和责任开始从我的肩上卸下,以我看来,似乎每分钟减轻一磅。这是我多年来第一次感觉到,哪怕只是部分地摆脱了烦恼,这种解脱的感觉很难用笔来形容。除此之外,还有即将很快到达欧洲的那种令人愉快的期待。这一切都更像是在做梦,而不是现实。Mr.Garrisonhadthoughtfullyarrangedtohaveushaveoneofthemostcomfortableroomsontheship.ThesecondorthirddayoutIbegantosleep,andIthinkthatIsleptattherateoffifteenhoursadayduringtheremainderofthetendays'passage.ThenitwasthatIbegantounderstandhowtiredIreallywas.TheselongsleepsIkeptupforamonthafterwelandedontheotherside.ItwassuchanunusualfeelingtowakeupinthemorningandrealizethatIhadnoengagements;didnothavetotakeatrainatacertainhour;didnothaveanappointmenttomeetsomeone,ortomakeanaddress,atacertainhour.HowdifferentallthiswasfromtheexperiencesthatIhavebeenthroughwhentravelling,whenIhavesometimessleptinthreedifferentbedsinasinglenight!加里森先生细心地为我们安排了船上最舒适的房间之一。我们出海的第二天或第三天,我开始睡觉,并且我认为在这十天航程的剩余时间里,我每天大约睡十五个小时。那时我才意识到我是多么疲惫。我们在那边登陆后的一个月里,我一直保持着这种长时间的睡眠习惯。早上醒来,意识到自己没有任何约会,不必在特定的时间赶火车,也不必在特定的时间去见某人或做演讲,这真是种不同寻常的感觉。这与我旅行时的经历有多么不同啊,有时我在一个晚上会在三张不同的床上睡觉!WhenSundaycame,thecaptaininvitedmetoconductthereligiousservices,but,notbeingaminister,Ideclined.Thepassengers,however,beganmakingrequeststhatIdeliveranaddresstotheminthedining-saloonsometimeduringthevoyage,andthisIconsentedtodo.SenatorSewellpresidedatthismeeting.Aftertendaysofdelightfulweather,duringwhichIwasnotseasickforaday,welandedattheinterestingoldcityofAntwerp,inBelgium.星期日到来时,船长邀请我主持宗教仪式,但由于我不是牧师,我拒绝了。然而,乘客们开始请求我在航行期间的某个时间在餐厅向他们发表演讲,我同意了。塞维尔参议员主持了这次会议。在令人愉快的十天天气中,我没有一天感到晕船,我们抵达了比利时这个有趣的老城市安特卫普。Thenextdayafterwelandedhappenedtobeoneofthosenumberlessholidayswhichthepeopleofthosecountriesareinthehabitofobserving.Itwasabright,beautifulday.Ourroominthehotelfacedthemainpublicsquare,andthesightsthere—thepeoplecominginfromthecountrywithallkindsofbeautifulflowerstosell,thewomencominginwiththeirdogsdrawinglarge,brightlypolishedcansfilledwithmilk,thepeoplestreamingintothecathedral—filledmewithasenseofnewnessthatIhadneverbeforeexperienced.我们降落后的第二天正好是那些国家的人们习惯庆祝的无数节日之一。那是一个明亮而美丽的日子。我们在旅馆的房间面向主要的公共广场,那里的情景——从乡下来的人带着各种美丽的花来卖,妇女们牵着狗拉着装满牛奶的大而擦得锃亮的罐子,人们涌向大教堂——让我感受到了一种前所未有的新鲜感。AfterspendingsometimeinAntwerp,wewereinvitedtogowithapartofahalf-dozenpersonsonatripthroughHolland.ThispartyincludedEdwardMarshallandsomeAmericanartistswhohadcomeoveronthesamesteamerwithus.Weacceptedtheinvitation,andenjoyedthetripgreatly.Ithinkitwasallthemoreinterestingandinstructivebecausewewentformostofthewayononeoftheslow,old-fashionedcanal-boats.Thisgaveusanopportunityofseeingandstudyingthereallifeofthepeopleinthecountrydistricts.WewentinthiswayasfarasRotterdam,andlaterwenttoTheHague,wherethePeaceConferencewastheninsession,andwherewewerekindlyreceivedbytheAmericanrepresentatives.在安特卫普待了一段时间后,我们被邀请和六个人中的一部分人一起去荷兰旅行。这个小组包括爱德华·马歇尔以及一些与我们同船而来的美国艺术家。我们接受了邀请,并非常享受这次旅行。我认为这次旅行之所以更加有趣且富有教育意义,是因为我们大部分时间都乘坐着那些缓慢的老式运河船。这让我们有机会观察并研究乡村地区人民的真实生活。我们以这种方式一直到达鹿特丹,后来又去了海牙,当时和平会议正在那里举行,我们也受到了美国代表的热情接待。ThethingthatimpresseditselfmostonmeinHollandwasthethoroughnessoftheagricultureandtheexcellenceoftheHolsteincattle.Ineverknew,beforevisitingHolland,howmuchitwaspossibleforpeopletogetoutofasmallplotofground.Itseemedtomethatabsolutelynolandwaswasted.ItwasworthatriptoHolland,too,justtogetasightofthreeorfourhundredfineHolsteincowsgrazinginoneofthoseintenselygreenfields.给我印象最深的是荷兰农业的彻底性和荷斯坦牛的优良品质。在我访问荷兰之前,我从未意识到人们可以从一小块土地上获得如此多的产出。在我看来,这里完全没有浪费任何土地。仅仅是为了看到三四百头优质的荷斯坦奶牛在那片郁郁葱葱的绿草地上吃草,也值得来一趟荷兰。FromHollandwewenttoBelgium,andmadeahastytripthroughthatcountry,stoppingatBrussels,wherewevisitedthebattlefieldofWaterloo.FromBelgiumwewentdirecttoParis,wherewefoundthatMr.TheodoreStanton,thesonofMrs.ElizabethCadyStanton,hadkindlyprovidedaccommodationsforus.WehadbarelygotsettledinParisbeforeaninvitationcametomefromtheUniversityClubofParistobeitsguestatabanquetwhichwassoontobegiven.Theotherguestswereex-PresidentBenjaminHarrisonandArchbishopIreland,whowereinParisatthetime.TheAmericanAmbassador,GeneralHoracePorter,presidedatthebanquet.Myaddressonthisoccasionseemedtogivesatisfactiontothosewhoheardit.GeneralHarrisonkindlydevotedalargeportionofhisremarksatdinnertomyselfandtotheinfluenceoftheworkatTuskegeeontheAmericanracequestion.Aftermyaddressatthisbanquetotherinvitationscametome,butIdeclinedthemostofthem,knowingthatifIacceptedthemall,theobjectofmyvisitwouldbedefeated.Idid,however,consenttodeliveranaddressintheAmericanchapelthefollowingSundaymorning,andatthismeetingGeneralHarrison,GeneralPorter,andotherdistinguishedAmericanswerepresent.我们从荷兰去了比利时,并迅速游览了那个国家,在布鲁塞尔停留,参观了滑铁卢战场。从比利时我们直接去了巴黎,发现斯图尔特夫人(伊丽莎白·凯迪·斯图尔特)的儿子西奥多·斯图尔特先生已经为我们友好地安排好了住宿。我们刚在巴黎安顿下来,就收到了来自巴黎大学俱乐部的邀请,邀请我在即将举行的宴会上作为嘉宾出席。其他客人包括前总统本杰明·哈里森将军和爱尔兰大主教,他们当时也在巴黎。美国大使霍勒斯·波特将军主持了宴会。我在这一场合的讲话似乎让听讲的人感到满意。哈里森将军在他的晚餐演讲中慷慨地将很大一部分时间用来谈论我和塔斯基吉的工作对美国种族问题的影响。在这次宴会之后,我又收到其他邀请,但我拒绝了大部分,因为我深知如果接受所有的邀请,我的访问目的就会落空。然而,我还是同意了在下一个星期天早上在美国教堂发表演讲,而在那次集会上,哈里森将军、波特将军以及其他一些杰出的美国人也出席了。LaterwereceivedaformalcallfromtheAmericanAmbassador,andwereinvitedtoattendareceptionathisresidence.AtthisreceptionwemetmanyAmericans,amongthemJusticesFullerandHarlan,oftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt.DuringourentirestayofamonthinParis,boththeAmericanAmbassadorandhiswife,aswellasseveralotherAmericans,wereverykindtous.后来,我们接到美国大使馆正式邀请,前往其官邸参加招待会。在这次招待会上,我们遇到了许多美国人,其中包括美国最高法院的大法官富勒和哈兰。在整个巴黎逗留的一个月中,美国大使及其夫人,以及其他几位美国人对我们都非常友善。WhileinPariswesawagooddealofthenowfamousAmericanNegropainter,Mr.HenryO.Tanner,whomwehadformerlyknowninAmerica.ItwasverysatisfactorytofindhowwellknownMr.Tannerwasinthefieldofart,andtonotethehighstandingwhichallclassesaccordedtohim.WhenwetoldsomeAmericansthatweweregoingtotheLuxembourgPalacetoseeapaintingbyanAmericanNegro,itwashardtoconvincethemthataNegrohadbeenthushonoured.Idonotbelievethattheywerereallyconvincedofthefactuntiltheysawthepictureforthemselves.MyacquaintancewithMr.TannerreenforcedinmymindthetruthwhichIamconstantlytryingtoimpressuponourstudentsatTuskegee—andonourpeoplethroughoutthecountry,asfarasIcanreachthemwithmyvoice—thatanyman,regardlessofcolour,willberecognizedandrewardedjustinproportionashelearnstodosomethingwell—learnstodoitbetterthansomeoneelse—howeverhumblethethingmaybe.AsIhavesaid,Ibelievethatmyracewillsucceedinproportionasitlearnstodoacommonthinginanuncommonmanner;learnstodoathingsothoroughlythatnoonecanimproveuponwhatithasdone;learnstomakeitsservicesofindispensablevalue.ThiswasthespiritthatinspiredmeinmyfirsteffortatHampton,whenIwasgiventheopportunitytosweepanddustthatschoolroom.InadegreeIfeltthatmywholefuturelifedependeduponthethoroughnesswithwhichIcleanedthatroom,andIwasdeterminedtodoitsowellthatnoonecouldfindanyfaultwiththejob.Fewpeopleeverstopped,Ifound,whenlookingathispictures,toinquirewhetherMr.TannerwasaNegropainter,aFrenchpainter,oraGermanpainter.Theysimplyknewthathewasabletoproducesomethingwhichtheworldwanted—agreatpainting—andthematterofhiscolourdidnotenterintotheirminds.WhenaNegrogirllearnstocook,towashdishes,tosew,orwriteabook,oraNegroboylearnstogroomhorses,ortogrowsweetpotatoes,ortoproducebutter,ortobuildahouse,ortobeabletopractisemedicine,aswellorbetterthansomeoneelse,theywillberewardedregardlessofraceorcolour.Inthelongrun,theworldisgoingtohavethebest,andanydifferenceinrace,religion,orprevioushistorywillnotlongkeeptheworldfromwhatitwants.我们在巴黎期间见到了当时著名的美国黑人画家亨利·O·塔纳先生,我们之前在美国就认识他。发现塔纳先生在艺术领域享有很高的声誉,并且注意到所有阶层的人都给予他极高的评价,这让我们感到非常满意。当我们告诉一些美国人我们要去卢浮宫欣赏一幅美国黑人的画作时,很难让他们相信一个黑人能获得如此荣誉。我不认为他们真正信服这个事实,直到他们亲眼看到了那幅画。我与塔纳先生的交往加深了我在塔斯克基大学以及全国范围内向学生们传达的一个真理——无论肤色如何,一个人只要能够很好地完成某件事,甚至比别人做得更好,无论是多么卑微的事情,都会得到认可和回报。正如我所说,我相信我的种族会成功,前提是它学会以一种不平凡的方式去做普通的事情;学会把事情做到极致,以至于没有人能改进它的成果;学会使自己的服务变得不可或缺。这就是我在汉普顿初次努力时所受到的鼓舞,当时我有机会清扫并擦拭那间教室。在某种程度上,我觉得我的整个人生都取决于我打扫房间的彻底程度,我决心把它做得非常好,以至于没有人能找到任何瑕疵。我发现,很少有人在看他的画作时会停下来询问塔纳先生是黑人画家、法国画家还是德国画家。他们只知道他有能力创作出这个世界想要的伟大作品,而他的肤色并没有进入他们的思维。当一个黑人女孩学会烹饪、洗碗、缝纫,或者写一本书,或者一个黑人男孩学会照顾马匹、种植红薯、生产黄油、建造房屋,或者像别人一样甚至更好地行医时,他们将得到回报,而不考虑种族或肤色的因素。从长远来看,世界总会选择最好的,任何种族、宗教或先前历史的差异都不会长久地阻止世界获取它所需要的东西。Ithinkthatthewholefutureofmyracehingesonthequestionastowhetherornotitcanmakeitselfofsuchindispensablevaluethatthepeopleinthetownandthestatewhereweresidewillfeelthatourpresenceisnecessarytothehappinessandwell-beingofthecommunity.Nomanwhocontinuestoaddsomethingtothematerial,intellectual,andmoralwell-beingoftheplaceinwhichhelivesislongleftwithoutproperreward.Thisisagreathumanlawwhichcannotbepermanentlynullified.我认为我种族的整个未来都取决于这样一个问题:我们是否能够为自己创造如此不可或缺的价值,以至于居住在我们所在的城镇和州的人们会感觉到我们的存在对社区的幸福和福祉是必要的。任何一个继续为他所生活的地区在物质、智力和道德方面带来福祉的人,都不会长久地得不到应有的回报。这是一个伟大的人类法则,不能被永久废除。TheloveofpleasureandexcitementwhichseemsinalargemeasuretopossesstheFrenchpeopleimpresseditselfuponme.Ithinktheyaremorenotedinthisrespectthanistrueofthepeopleofmyownrace.InpointofmoralityandmoralearnestnessIdonotbelievethattheFrenchareaheadofmyownraceinAmerica.Severecompetitionandthegreatstressoflifehaveledthemtolearntodothingsmorethoroughlyandtoexercisegreatereconomy;buttime,Ithink,willbringmyracetothesamepoint.InthematteroftruthandhighhonourIdonotbelievethattheaverageFrenchmanisaheadoftheAmericanNegro;whilesofarasmercyandkindnesstodumbanimalsgo,Ibelievethatmyraceisfarahead.Infact,whenIleftFrance,IhadmorefaithinthefutureoftheblackmaninAmericathanIhadeverpossessed.法国人似乎普遍拥有的享乐和刺激的爱好给我留下了深刻的印象。我认为在这方面他们比我自己的种族更突出。在道德和道德严肃性方面,我不认为法国人在我的美国同胞面前占优势。激烈的竞争和生活的巨大压力使他们学会了更加彻底地做事,并且更加注重节约;但是,我认为时间会让我族达到同样的水平。至于真理和高尚荣誉方面,我不认为普通法国人比美国黑人更优秀;而就对动物的仁慈和善良而言,我相信我族远远领先。事实上,当我离开法国时,我对美国黑人未来的信心比以往任何时候都强。FromPariswewenttoLondon,andreachedthereearlyinJuly,justabouttheheightoftheLondonsocialseason.Parliamentwasinsession,andtherewasagreatdealofgaiety.Mr.Garrisonandotherfriendshadprovideduswithalargenumberoflettersofintroduction,andtheyhadalsosentletterstootherpersonsindifferentpartsoftheUnitedKingdom,apprisingthesepeopleofourcoming.VerysoonafterreachingLondonwewerefloodedwithinvitationstoattendallmannerofsocialfunctions,andagreatmanyinvitationscametomeaskingthatIdeliverpublicaddresses.ThemostoftheseinvitationsIdeclined,forthereasonthatIwantedtorest.Neitherwereweabletoacceptmorethanasmallproportionoftheotherinvitations.TheRev.Dr.BrookeHerfordandMrs.Herford,whomIhadknowninBoston,consultedwiththeAmericanAmbassador,theHon.JosephChoate,andarrangedformetospeakatapublicmeetingtobeheldinEssexHall.Mr.Choatekindlyconsentedtopreside.Themeetingwaslargelyattended.Thereweremanydistinguishedpersonspresent,amongthemseveralmembersofParliament,includingMr.JamesBryce,whospokeatthemeeting.WhattheAmericanAmbassadorsaidinintroducingme,aswellasasynopsisofwhatIsaid,waswidelypublishedinEnglandandintheAmericanpapersatthetime.Dr.andMrs.HerfordgaveMrs.Washingtonandmyselfareception,atwhichwehadtheprivilegeofmeetingsomeofthebestpeopleinEngland.ThroughoutourstayinLondonAmbassadorChoatewasmostkindandattentivetous.AttheAmbassador'sreceptionImet,forthefirsttime,MarkTwain.从巴黎我们去了伦敦,并在七月初到达那里,正好是伦敦社交季的高峰时期。议会正在开会,社会活动非常热闹。加里森先生和其他朋友们为我们提供了大量的介绍信,并且他们还给英国各地的其他人写信,告知我们的到来。我们刚到伦敦不久,就收到了大量邀请参加各种社交活动的邀请函,而且有许多邀请函是让我发表公开演讲的。我拒绝了大多数邀请,原因是我想休息一下。我们也没有能力接受除了少数之外的其他邀请。我在波士顿认识的布鲁克·赫福德牧师和他的夫人与美国大使约瑟夫·乔特先生商议,并安排我在埃塞克斯大厅举行的一次公众集会上发言。乔特先生欣然同意主持会议。这次集会吸引了很多人参加。到场的有许多杰出人物,其中包括几位国会议员,包括詹姆斯·布莱斯先生,他在会议上发表了讲话。美国大使在介绍我的时候所说的话,以及我对他的讲话的概述,当时在英国和美国报纸上广泛刊登。赫福德博士和他的夫人给我们举行了招待会,在这次招待会上我们有幸结识了一些英国最好的人士。在整个伦敦期间,乔特大使对我们都非常友好和周到。在大使的招待会上,我第一次见到了马克·吐温。WeweretheguestsseveraltimesofMrs.T.FisherUnwin,thedaughteroftheEnglishstatesman,RichardCobden.ItseemedasifbothMr.andMrs.Unwincouldnotdoenoughforourcomfortandhappiness.Later,fornearlyaweek,weweretheguestsofthedaughterofJohnBright,nowMrs.Clark,ofStreet,England.BothMr.andMrs.Clark,withtheirdaughter,visitedusatTuskegeethenextyear.InBirmingham,England,weweretheguestsforseveraldaysofMr.JosephSturge,whosefatherwasagreatabolitionistandfriendofWhittierandGarrison.ItwasagreatprivilegetomeetthroughoutEnglandthosewhohadknownandhonouredthelateWilliamLloydGarrison,theHon.FrederickDouglass,andotherabolitionists.TheEnglishabolitionistswithwhomwecameincontactneverseemedtotireoftalkingaboutthesetwoAmericans.BeforegoingtoEnglandIhadhadnoproperconceptionofthedeepinterestdisplayedbytheabolitionistsofEnglandinthecauseoffreedom,nordidIrealizetheamountofsubstantialhelpgivenbythem.我们曾多次受到英国政治家理查德·科布登之女T.费舍尔·扬夫人的好客款待。看来,无论是昂温先生还是昂温夫人,都愿意为我们提供尽可能多的舒适和快乐。后来,在将近一周的时间里,我们是约翰·布莱特的女儿、现居英国斯特里特的克拉克夫人的客人。次年,克拉克先生和他的妻子以及他们的女儿访问了塔斯基奇。在英国伯明翰,我们几天来都是约瑟夫·斯图尔特先生的客人,他的父亲是一位伟大的废奴主义者,也是惠蒂埃和加里森的朋友。在整个英国见到那些认识并尊敬已故威廉·劳埃德·加里森、弗雷德里克·道格拉斯先生以及其他废奴主义者的人都是一种极大的荣幸。我们接触过的英国废奴主义者似乎永远谈不完关于这两位美国人的事情。去英国之前,我对英国废奴主义者在自由事业中表现出的深厚兴趣没有正确的认识,也没有意识到他们给予的帮助有多实质。InBristol,England,bothMrs.WashingtonandIspokeattheWomen'sLiberalClub.IwasalsotheprincipalspeakerattheCommencementexercisesoftheRoyalCollegefortheBlind.TheseexerciseswereheldintheCrystalPalace,andthepresidingofficerwasthelateDukeofWestminster,whowassaidtobe,Ibelieve,therichestmaninEngland,ifnotintheworld.TheDuke,aswellashiswifeandtheirdaughter,seemedtobepleasedwithwhatIsaid,andthankedmeheartily.ThroughthekindnessofLadyAberdeen,mywifeandIwereenabledtogowithapartyofthosewhowereattendingtheInternationalCongressofWomen,theninsessioninLondon,toseeQueenVictoria,atWindsorCastle,where,afterward,wewerealltheguestsofherMajestyattea.InourpartywasMissSusanB.Anthony,andIwasdeeplyimpressedwiththefactthatonedidnotoftengetanopportunitytosee,duringthesamehour,twowomensoremarkableindifferentwaysasSusanB.AnthonyandQueenVictoria.在英国布里斯托尔市的妇女自由俱乐部里,华盛顿夫人和我都发表了演讲。我也是皇家盲人学院毕业典礼的主要发言人。这些活动在水晶宫举行,主持仪式的是已故的韦斯特摩兰公爵,据说他是英国最富有的人,甚至可能是世界上最有钱的人之一。公爵本人以及他的妻子和女儿似乎对我所说的话感到满意,并且诚挚地感谢了我。由于阿伯丁夫人的好意,我和我的妻子得以与参加正在伦敦举行的国际妇女代表大会的一群人一起,去温莎城堡拜访了维多利亚女王,之后我们所有人都受到女王陛下在茶会上的款待。在我们的队伍里有苏珊·B·安东尼小姐,我深深地意识到,在同一小时内见到两位在不同方面如此杰出的女性——苏珊·B·安东尼和维多利亚女王——是难得的机会。IntheHouseofCommons,whichwevisitedseveraltimes,wemetSirHenryM.Stanley.ItalkedwithhimaboutAfricaanditsrelationtotheAmericanNegro,andaftermyinterviewwithhimIbecamemoreconvincedthaneverthattherewasnohopeoftheAmericanNegro'simprovinghisconditionbyemigratingtoAfrica.在我们参观过多次的下议院,我们遇到了亨利·M·斯坦利爵士。我和他谈了非洲以及它与美国黑人的关系。在采访完他之后,我比以往更加确信,美国黑人通过移民到非洲来改善自身状况是没有希望的。OnvariousoccasionsMrs.WashingtonandIweretheguestsofEnglishmenintheircountryhomes,where,Ithink,oneseestheEnglishmanathisbest.Inonething,atleast,IfeelsurethattheEnglishareaheadofAmericans,andthatis,thattheyhavelearnedhowtogetmoreoutoflife.ThehomelifeoftheEnglishseemstometobeaboutasperfectasanythingcanbe.Everythingmoveslikeclockwork.Iwasimpressed,too,withthedeferencethattheservantsshowtotheir"masters"and"mistresses,"—termswhichIsupposewouldnotbetoleratedinAmerica.TheEnglishservantexpects,asarule,tobenothingbutaservant,andsoheperfectshimselfinthearttoadegreethatnoclassofservantsinAmericahasyetreached.Inourcountrytheservantexpectstobecome,inafewyears,a"master"himself.Whichsystemispreferable?Iwillnotventureananswer.华盛顿夫人和我曾在英国人的乡间宅邸做客,在这些场合中,我认为你能够看到最真实的英国人。至少有一件事让我确信英国人比美国人更胜一筹,那就是他们懂得如何从生活中获得更多乐趣。在我看来,英国人的家庭生活几乎达到了尽善尽美的地步。一切都井然有序,像钟表一样精准。我还注意到英国仆人对他们的“主人”和“女主人”表现出的恭敬态度——我想这样的称呼在美国是无法被接受的。英国的仆人通常只把自己当作仆人,并因此在这一职业上精益求精,其专业程度是美国任何一类仆人都尚未达到的。在我们的国家,仆人期望几年后自己也能成为“主人”。哪种制度更好?我无意给出答案。AnotherthingthatimpresseditselfuponmethroughoutEnglandwasthehighregardthatallclasseshaveforlawandorder,andtheeaseandthoroughnesswithwhicheverythingisdone.TheEnglishmen,Ifound,tookplentyoftimeforeating,asforeverythingelse.Iamnotsureif,inthelongrun,theydonotaccomplishasmuchormorethanrushing,nervousAmericansdo.给我印象最深的是,整个英格兰所有阶层都非常重视法律和秩序,而且所有事情都做得非常轻松而彻底。我发现英国人吃东西和其他事情一样,花了不少时间。我不确定从长远来看,他们是否没有完成更多或者至少和那些急匆匆、神经紧张的美国人一样多的事情。MyvisittoEnglandgavemeahigherregardforthenobilitythanIhadhad.Ihadnoideathattheyweresogenerallylovedandrespectedbytheclasses,norhadIanycorrectconceptionofhowmuchtimeandmoneytheyspentinworksofphilanthropy,andhowmuchrealhearttheyputintothiswork.Myimpressionhadbeenthattheymerelyspentmoneyfreelyandhada"goodtime."访问英国让我对贵族有了更高的评价。我原本不知道他们如此广受各阶层的喜爱和尊敬,也没有正确理解他们在这类慈善工作中投入了大量时间和金钱,以及他们对这项工作倾注了多少真心。我的印象一直是他们只是随意花钱,过着“愉快的生活”。ItwashardformetogetaccustomedtospeakingtoEnglishaudiences.TheaverageEnglishmanissoserious,andissotremendouslyinearnestabouteverything,thatwhenItoldastorythatwouldhavemadeanAmericanaudienceroarwithlaughter,theEnglishmensimplylookedmestraightinthefacewithoutevencrackingasmile.对我来说,适应对英国听众讲话是很困难的。普通的英国人非常严肃,对所有事情都极其认真,所以当我讲一个本会让美国观众哄堂大笑的故事时,英国人只是直勾勾地盯着我看,连一丝微笑都没有。WhentheEnglishmantakesyouintohisheartandfriendship,hebindsyouthereaswithcordsofsteel,andIdonotbelievethattherearemanyotherfriendshipsthataresolastingorsosatisfactory.PerhapsIcanillustratethispointinnobetterwaythanbyrelatingthefollowingincident.Mrs.WashingtonandIwereinvitedtoattendareceptiongivenbytheDukeandDuchessofSutherland,atStaffordHouse—saidtobethefinesthouseinLondon;ImayaddthatIbelievetheDuchessofSutherlandissaidtobethemostbeautifulwomaninEngland.Theremusthavebeenatleastthreehundredpersonsatthisreception.TwiceduringtheeveningtheDuchesssoughtusoutforaconversation,andsheaskedmetowriteherwhenwegothome,andtellhermoreabouttheworkatTuskegee.ThisIdid.WhenChristmascameweweresurprisedanddelightedtoreceiveherphotographwithherautographonit.Thecorrespondencehascontinued,andwenowfeelthatintheDuchessofSutherlandwehaveoneofourwarmestfriends.当一个英国人把你纳入他的心中并成为朋友时,他会用钢索般的力量将你绑定在那里,我相信很少有其他友谊能如此持久或令人满意。或许我可以通过讲述以下事件来更好地说明这一点。华盛顿夫人和我被邀请参加由萨瑟兰公爵和公爵夫人在斯塔福德府举行的招待会——据说这是伦敦最宏伟的房子;我还可以补充一句,我相信萨瑟兰公爵夫人被认为是英格兰最美的女性之一。这次招待会上至少有三百人出席。晚上两次,公爵夫人来找我们交谈,并且她让我回家后给她写信,告诉我们更多塔斯基吉的工作情况。我照做了。圣诞节来临的时候,我们收到了她的照片和亲笔签名,这让我们感到既惊讶又高兴。通信一直持续着,我们现在觉得,在萨瑟兰公爵夫人那里,我们拥有了一位最温暖的朋友。AfterthreemonthsinEuropewesailedfromSouthamptoninthesteamshipSt.Louis.OnthissteamertherewasafinelibrarythathadbeenpresentedtotheshipbythecitizensofSt.Louis,Mo.InthislibraryIfoundalifeofFrederickDouglass,whichIbeganreading.IbecameespeciallyinterestedinMr.Douglass'sdescriptionofthewayhewastreatedonshipboardduringhisfirstorsecondvisittoEngland.Inthisdescriptionhetoldhowhewasnotpermittedtoenterthecabin,buthadtoconfinehimselftothedeckoftheship.AfewminutesafterIhadfinishedreadingthisdescriptionIwaswaitedonbyacommitteeofladiesandgentlemenwiththerequestthatIdeliveranaddressataconcertwhichwastobeginthefollowingevening.AndyettherearepeoplewhoareboldenoughtosaythatracefeelinginAmericaisnotgrowinglessintense!AtthisconcerttheHon.BenjaminB.Odell,Jr.,thepresentgovernorofNewYork,presided.Iwasnevergivenamorecordialhearinganywhere.AlargeproportionofthepassengerswereSouthernpeople.AftertheconcertsomeofthepassengersproposedthatasubscriptionberaisedtohelptheworkatTuskegee,andthemoneytosupportseveralscholarshipswastheresult.在欧洲待了三个月后,我们从南安普敦乘蒸汽船圣路易斯号启航。在这艘船上有一个图书馆,这是由密苏里州圣路易斯市的市民赠送给这艘船的。我在图书馆里发现了一本弗雷德里克·道格拉斯的传记,于是我开始阅读它。我对道格拉斯先生描述他在第一次或第二次访问英国时在船上受到的待遇特别感兴趣。在这段描述中,他讲述了自己如何不被允许进入客舱,而只能待在甲板上。在我读完这段描述后的几分钟内,一位由女士和绅士组成的委员会前来拜访我,并请求我在第二天晚上即将举行的音乐会上发表演讲。然而,仍有一些人胆敢说美国的种族情绪没有变得缓和!在这次音乐会上,现任纽约州州长本杰明·B·奥德尔二世先生主持了会议。我从未在任何地方得到过如此热情的接待。许多乘客都是南方人。音乐会结束后,一些乘客提议筹集一笔资金来支持塔斯基奇的工作,并最终筹集到了支持几个奖学金的资金。WhilewewereinParisIwasverypleasantlysurprisedtoreceivethefollowinginvitationfromthecitizensofWestVirginiaandofthecitynearwhichIhadspentmyboyhooddays:—在巴黎期间,我非常高兴地收到了来自西弗吉尼亚州以及我童年时期曾在附近城市生活的市民们的以下邀请:Charleston,W.Va.,May16,1899.西弗吉尼亚州查尔斯顿,1899年5月16日。ProfessorBookerT.Washington,Paris,France:巴黎,法国,布克·T·华盛顿教授:DearSir:ManyofthebestcitizensofWestVirginiahaveunitedinliberalexpressionsofadmirationandpraiseofyourworthandwork,anddesirethatonyourreturnfromEuropeyoushouldfavourthemwithyourpresenceandwiththeinspirationofyourwords.Wemustsincerelyindorsethismove,andonbehalfofthecitizensofCharlestonextendtoyourourmostcordialinvitationtohaveyoucometous,thatwemayhonouryouwhohavedonesomuchbyyourlifeandworktohonourus.敬启者:西弗吉尼亚州的许多优秀公民都联合起来,以慷慨的言辞表达了对你品行和工作的钦佩和赞扬,并希望你从欧洲回来后能光临并用你的言语给我们带来启发。我们真诚地支持这一行动,并代表查尔斯顿市民向您发出最诚挚的邀请,希望你能来我们这里,让我们能够因为你通过生活和工作给予我们的荣耀而向你致以敬意。Weare,我们是,Verytrulyyours,此致TheCommonCounciloftheCityofCharleston,查尔斯顿市议会,ByW.HermanSmith,Mayor.作者W.HermanSmith,市长。ThisinvitationfromtheCityCouncilofCharlestonwasaccompaniedbythefollowing:—查尔斯顿市议会发来的邀请函附带了以下内容:—ProfessorBookerT.Washington,Paris,France:巴黎,法国,布克·T·华盛顿教授:DearSir:We,thecitizensofCharlestonandWestVirginia,desiretoexpressourprideinyouandthesplendidcareerthatyouhavethusfaraccomplished,andaskthatwebepermittedtoshowourprideandinterestinasubstantialway.尊敬的先生:查尔斯顿和西弗吉尼亚市的市民们都想表达我们对您以及您迄今为止所取得的辉煌成就的自豪之情,并恳请您允许我们以一种实质性的方式来展示我们的自豪感和兴趣。Yourrecentvisittoyouroldhomeinourmidstawokewithinusthekeenestregretthatwewerenotpermittedtohearyouandrendersomesubstantialaidtoyourwork,beforeyouleftforEurope.您最近对我们中间旧居的拜访,在我们心中唤起了最深切的遗憾,因为我们未能在您前往欧洲之前听到您的演讲并为您提供一些实质性的帮助。Inviewoftheforegoing,weearnestlyinviteyoutosharethehospitalityofourcityuponyourreturnfromEurope,andgiveustheopportunitytohearyouandputourselvesintouchwithyourworkinawaythatwillbemostgratifyingtoyourself,andthatwemayreceivetheinspirationofyourwordsandpresence.鉴于上述情况,我们诚挚邀请您在从欧洲回来后分享我们城市的热情好客,并给予我们机会聆听您的教诲并与您的工作建立联系,这将使您感到非常满意,而且我们可以受到您言语和presence的启发。Anearlyreplytothisinvitation,withanindicationofthetimeyoumayreachourcity,willgreatlyoblige,对这封邀请函的早期回复,并注明您到达我们城市的大概时间,将会十分感激。Yoursveryrespectfully,您真诚的,TheCharlestonDailyGazette,TheDailyMail-Tribune;G.W.Atkinson,Governor;E.L.Boggs,SecretarytoGovernor;Wm.M.O.Dawson,SecretaryofState;L.M.LaFollette,Auditor;J.R.Trotter,SuperintendentofSchools;E.W.Wilson,ex-Governor;W.A.MacCorkle,ex-Governor;JohnQ.Dickinson,PresidentKanawhaValleyBank;L.Prichard,PresidentCharlestonNationalBank;Geo.S.Couch,PresidentKanawhaNationalBank;Ed.Reid,CashierKanawhaNationalBank;Geo.S.Laidley,SuperintendedCitySchools;L.E.McWhorter,PresidentBoardofEducation;Chas.K.Payne,wholesalemerchant;andmanyothers.查尔斯顿《每日公报》,《日报论坛报》;G.W.阿特金森,州长;E.L.博格斯,州长秘书;Wm.M.O.道森,州务卿;L.M.拉福莱特,审计员;J.R.特罗特,教育总监;E.W.威尔逊,前州长;W.A.麦柯克尔,前州长;约翰·Q·迪金森,卡纳瓦河谷银行总裁;L.普里查德,查尔斯顿国家银行总裁;乔治·S·科奇,卡纳瓦国家银行总裁;埃德·里德,卡纳瓦国家银行出纳;乔治·S·雷德利,市立学校督学;L.E.麦克沃特,教育委员会主席;查尔斯·K·佩恩,批发商人;以及其他许多人。Thisinvitation,comingasitdidfromtheCityCouncil,thestateofficers,andallthesubstantialcitizensofbothracesofthecommunitywhereIhadspentmyboyhood,andfromwhichIhadgoneafewyearsbefore,unknown,inpovertyandignorance,inquestofaneducation,notonlysurprisedme,butalmostunmannedme.IcouldnotunderstandwhatIhaddonetodeserveitall.这份邀请函来自市议会、州政府官员以及我小时候所在社区的所有重要市民,他们中有两个种族的人,而几年前我就是从这个社区离开的,当时我一无所有,贫穷又无知,只为了追求教育机会。这不仅让我感到惊讶,几乎使我失去了镇定。我无法理解自己究竟做了什么值得拥有这一切。Iacceptedtheinvitation,andattheappointeddaywasmetattherailwaystationatCharlestonbyacommitteeheadedbyex-GovernorW.A.MacCorkle,andcomposedofmenofbothraces.ThepublicreceptionwasheldintheOpera-HouseatCharleston.TheGovernorofthestate,theHon.GeorgeW.Atkinson,presided,andanaddressofwelcomewasmadebyex-GovernorMacCorkle.Aprominentpartinthereceptionwastakenbythecolouredcitizens.TheOpera-Housewasfilledwithcitizensofbothraces,andamongthewhitepeopleweremanyforwhomIhadworkedwhenIwasaboy.ThenextdayGovernorandMrs.AtkinsongavemeapublicreceptionattheStateHouse,whichwasattendedbyallclasses.我接受了邀请,在指定的日子,由前州长W.A.MacCorkle领导的一个委员会在查尔斯顿火车站迎接了我,这个委员会由两个种族的人组成。公众接待会在查尔斯顿的歌剧院举行。州长乔治·W·阿特金森先生主持会议,并由前州长MacCorkle发表了欢迎辞。有色人种公民在接待会上发挥了突出的作用。歌剧院挤满了两个种族的市民,其中还有许多白人在我的童年时期是我工作过的人。第二天,阿特金森州长和他的夫人在州政府大楼为我举办了公开接待会,各阶层的人都参加了。NotlongafterthisthecolouredpeopleinAtlanta,Georgia,gavemeareceptionatwhichtheGovernorofthestatepresided,andasimilarreceptionwasgivenmeinNewOrleans,whichwaspresidedoverbytheMayorofthecity.InvitationscamefrommanyotherplaceswhichIwasnotabletoaccept.不久之后,乔治亚州亚特兰大的有色人种人民给了我一个招待会,该招待会由州长主持,新奥尔良也给我举办了一个类似的招待会,由市长主持。我还收到了许多其他地方的邀请,但由于种种原因没能接受。

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