The leading institution in the country for the higher and professional
training of the Negro. In quality of work it ranks favorably with
the best New England Colleges. It was founded in 1867, largely
through the efforts of General O. O. Howard. It has 106 teachers,
1400 students and property valued at nearly $2,000,000.
]
The three great factors which have entered into the development of the
educational possibilities of the colored people are the North, the South
and the Negro himself.
Though the Northern States are not so immediately concerned in the
education of the Negro race as the South and the Negroes themselves, the
northern point of view and northern philanthropy have been just as
important and are just as essential to continued development as the
other two elements. In many respects the remoteness of the northern
friends to Negro education gave them freedom from the traditional
prejudices and the frequent irritations to which those nearby were
subjected. Problems are rarely settled without the aid of those who are
not party to the differences. Evidence is now gradually accumulating
that the southern people are realizing that the northern teachers have
rendered a valuable service not only to the Negroes but also to the
South. The following testimony was given as early as 1885, by Bishop
Haywood of the Southern Methodist Church in speaking of President Ware,
the founder of Atlanta University:
“Very small encouragement do workers in this field get from us of the
white race in the Southern States, although, next to the Negro race, we
are of all men on earth most concerned in the success of your work, and
most concerned because we have most at stake.”
The total annual contribution of the North for the current expenses of
the private schools aggregate $2,500,000. Of this fully a million and a
half is given by the white churches for their denominational schools,
and another $1,000,000 is contributed by individual donors and churches
for the maintenance of the independent institutions. Property valuations
in the private institutions founded by northern gifts now amount to
$24,000,000.
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