This invitation, coming as it did from the City Council, the state
officers, and all the substantial citizens of both races of the
community where I had spent my boyhood, and from which I had gone a
few years before, unknown, in poverty and ignorance, in quest of an
education, not only surprised me, but almost unmanned me. I could not
understand what I had done to deserve it all.
I accepted the invitation, and at the appointed day was met at the
railway station at Charleston by a committee headed by ex-Governor
W.A. MacCorkle, and composed of men of both races. The public
reception was held in the Opera-House at Charleston. The Governor of
the state, the Hon. George W. Atkinson, presided, and an address of
welcome was made by ex-Governor MacCorkle. A prominent part in the
reception was taken by the coloured citizens. The Opera-House was
filled with citizens of both races, and among the white people were
many for whom I had worked when I was a boy. The next day Governor
and Mrs. Atkinson gave me a public reception at the State House, which
was attended by all classes.
Not long after this the coloured people in Atlanta, Georgia, gave
me a reception at which the Governor of the state presided, and a
similar reception was given me in New Orleans, which was presided over
by the Mayor of the city. Invitations came from many other places
which I was not able to accept.
