Toscanini said of Marian Anderson, “A voice like this comes but once in a hundred years.” Her personal history is probably the most uplifting story of self-liberation in a hundred years. First she went to Europe to perfect her art -- then she returned to conquer America. When she sang "My Country Tis Of Thee" from the Lincoln Memorial, breaking back of unthinking intolerance, she did so with the iron rod of beauty. And her life represents the triumph of a patient righteousness over intemperate hatred. So then, here she is, and if the reader will meet her patience with his own, he will begin to understand why the hand of God brushed her lips as she sang. Just listen to her sing Shubert's "Ave Maria"and "They Crucified My Lord." This is where the search for beauty leads -- to he heart of light and love.
go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you;
may your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!"
--Samuel Adams