The Booker T. Washington Papers, Vol.4, page 400, Apr. 1898, U. of Illinois Press

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The BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Papers to me. Would to Heaven, that the former could have found the welcome that the latter received in all true sincerity and regard ! Nothing could be more convincing than your wise, and kindly words. The madness which refused such an appeal is a fearful condition that can only result in disaster, terrible to contemplate. The Newspapers had given only a brief report of your Letter, or I had failed to see any other- and I am most glad to own it in permanent form. Yes, as you suppose, the exciting events of the last weeks have overwhelmed me with dread and anxiety. War, is such a calamity so unworthy of our better civillisation that it never occurred to me that I should live to see my country engaged in another, so crushing to all my joy in life. Tho' followed by sublime results for the oppressed; for which we sacrificed all private affections and interests. I agree with you, had President McKinley been allowed to carry out his beneficent ideas, war might possibly have been averted. Can we be sufficiently grateful to the Ruler of the Universe, for that glorious Man and model President? Imagine Bryan ! Horrors! All, that kindly; patient; judicious; magnanimous offers to Spain that could be made, that faithful Guardian of the People's welfare extended in the noblest spirit. But Spain, blind with pride: and deaf with hate: brutalised by centuries of crime: treachery; and cruelest oppression, could not understand this lofty and straightforward dealing. The frightful tragedy of the ''Maine,'' stung the people to white heat; while the ''Nemesis of Fate,'' was luring its besotted victim to destruction. There is a retribution for crime that is sure as gravitation, and we may be the avenging angel as Senator Hoar said ''St Michael and the Dragon.'' Four Hundred years, Spain has tortured humanity. She has supped full of horrors and signed her own Death warrent. Alas ! how much innocent blood must be shed: how many hearts and hones wrecked forever! The old, old expiatory sacrifice. The Naval battle yesterday would seem to point a speedy termination of hostilities. Heaven grant it! This injustice of the Louisiana business, is full of peril; and I am worried about the terrible result. Think of the millions upon millions, spent in this War, and Tuskegee and Hampton without an endowment ! Well, we cannot help it. Let us pray that we may live long enough, to say as my hero Husband did, after the War for ''Emancipation.'' ''It was worth all it cost.'' 4OO