Page:Boys Life of Booker T. Washington.djvu/127

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LEADING HIS PEOPLE
111

Washington was truly the Moses of his people, as Andrew Carnegie had said. He led them with great wisdom in their thought and their conduct. He was their spokesman, their interpreter. He guided them to higher and better things. He made the white man and the negro know each other better and understand each other better. He lessened the friction between the races and increased the good will. He brought encouragement and inspiration to his own race and gained the sympathy and coöperation of the white race. Everywhere he opposed ignorance and prejudice and injustice in any form. Because of his wisdom and tact as a leader, not only the negro but the entire nation was helped.