12         MEMORIAL ADDRESS

making of the world, but character. And character
is best formed amid those surroundings where
every waking hour is filled with struggle, where no
flag of truce is ever sent, and only darkness stays
the conflict."
  Thank God that this is true. Who knows but
that this precious life of service and achievement
might have been lost to us if he had not met and
vanquished discouragement after discouragement
in the grim struggle with poverty; if he had not
gone on unfalteringly, with serene courage, toward
the goal which must have seemed but a dim mirage
at the beginning.
  The secret of Mr. Washington's success in life-
if indeed there were any secret about it at all-was
his unfailing optimism, his dogged determination,
his resolve to permit no obstacle to daunt him, and
his proof on numerous occasions that he was abso-
lutely above insult or humiliation. No disappoint-
ment could discourage him.
  If it were necessary, or time permitted, examples
all too numerous could be cited in proof of this
statement. If the young men and women of his
race everywhere could but catch some portion of
his sweet spirit, his high courage, his rich opti-
mism! For us, in every part of this country, there
would dawn that new and better day for which our
fathers and our fathers' fathers have worked and
sung and prayed.




			

OHS Archives/Library Pamphlet Collection

Memorial Address [on Booker T. Washington] Delivered by Emmett J. Scott, Secretary, at 17th Annual Session

J.