Institute, on May 20, were of even unusual interest. A large and
distinguished company was in attendance, including Governors and
other notabilities from Massachusetts, and President Hayes and
Secretary Schurz from Washington. A military parade by the students
under the inspection of the President, recitations, and an exhibition
of the various industries of the school, occupied the morning. The
work of the Indian boys excited special interest. A farm-cart,
complete in all its parts, tin-ware, tables and large silicate
globes, were among the articles which they had made.
Whitin Hall was crowded in the afternoon. The students, 300 in
number, seated on benches rising toward the rear in front of the
audience, were a picture of neatness, intelligence and content. Those
who remembered the squalor and ignorance of the colored people as
they sought refuge in the Union lines during the war, could not fail
to recognize the value of the work done by the noble educational
institutions which the American Missionary Association has brought
into existence through the South. This thankful feeling was deepened
as the students took up the parts assigned them. Their addresses were
not mere essays, but the expression of their opinions on practical,
vital themes, concerning the welfare of their race. These utterances
were marked with rare good sense, a freedom from bitterness for past
or present ill-treatment, and a hopeful courage for the future. More
than once some expression unexpectedly pathetic, or forgiving, or
consecrated, brought tears to the eyes of those who heard.
The exercises of the students were followed by admirable addresses
from some of the dignitaries present. President Hayes showed how the
relation of the different races and nationalities in the land was one
of our most vital problems, and how Hampton was solving it. Secretary
Schurz considered at length the experiment of Indian education, which
is being tried at Hampton, and showed why it might succeed now when
it had not in the past. Governor Long, of Massachusetts, referred
to the presence of these educational institutions in the South as
one of the most important results of the war. Ex-Governor Rice, of
Massachusetts, regarded the Institution at Hampton as the natural
development of advancing civilization, which is breaking down the
barriers of the races and bringing all nationalities together as
brethren.
The concurrent testimony of these speakers, and the manifest
conviction of the visitors present, was that Hampton is doing a grand
work.
Its diversified departments are conducted with such careful attention
to detail, with such consecrated, self-denying enthusiasm, with
such genius in teaching, and with such faith in God, on the part of
its principal, Gen. Armstrong, and his corps of teachers, gathered
from the best families of the North, that the school could not be
otherwise than successful. This language may seem extravagant, but,
if any one is inclined to regard it so, let him visit the school next
May, and he will appreciate the self-restraint of one who says no
more than what has just been said.
The Hampton Institute has settled two or three questions very
satisfactorily.
From the experience of this Institution, it is plain that it is
quite possible to combine industrial with intellectual and religious
education without injury to any one of these branches of knowledge.
Nothing is more prominent to a superficial observation than the
industrial side of Hampton.
The saw-mill, which since September last has cut over a million feet
of lumber, the knitting-room, which has produced this year 12,000
dozen mittens for a Boston firm, the market-garden, from which have
been sent this spring thirty barrels of peas a day to Baltimore, and
from which have been raised peas and asparagus, together amounting
in value to $1,500, the ice house, in which are stored 180 tons of
ice, the industrial room, where are made the students’ uniforms,
the cooking school, in which the girls are taught the culinary art,
the printing office, from which is issued monthly “The Southern
Workman,” the shoe shop, the blacksmith’s shop, the wheelwright’s
shop, the carpenter’s shop, the repair shop, the brick-yard, which
has supplied all the bricks used on the buildings of the Institution,
the $6,000 barn, where fine blooded stock is kept, the farm of 330
acres—these departments of activity, wonderful for their variety and
completeness, are steadily training the students and the inhabitants
of the surrounding region in ways of industry. But this is not all,
nor the principal benefit, the students receive. If we may judge from
a hasty inspection of classes, from the scope and skillful expression
of thought in the graduating exercises, and from the testimony of
teachers, a thorough and sufficiently extended education in all
mental departments is given. Best of all, as the crown no less than
the beginning of wisdom, the students, entering the school without
special religious impressions, seldom leave it without becoming
devoted Christians. The result of the combination of industrial
with other forms of training, is seen in the evident union in
Hampton students of hard good sense with scholarly intelligence and
unostentatious piety.
Another question is most satisfactorily settled, whether it is
possible to educate the Negro and the Indian together. On graduation
day, in sight of the audience, was a stand on which rested a fragment
from the building recently burned. It was a mass of red and black
bricks cemented together, and prettily draped with vines. If this
was designed to be emblematic, it was truthfully so. The red and
the black races do harmonize most happily at Hampton, and cultivate
together the graces of character. They are a mutual help to each
other, especially the Negro, as farther advanced in civilization,
to the Indian. Their dispositions supplement each other. The Negro
is enthusiastic, demonstrative and dependent, the Indian reserved,
bashful and self-contained. Each finds in the other, qualities that
he needs and that attract him. As a consequence, there is great
friendliness between the two races. When the colored boys were asked
if any of their number were willing to room with the Indians, that
the latter might learn to speak English more readily, there was no
lack of volunteers. And no one can doubt the kindly feeling pervading
the school, who has seen, as we have, Indian and Negro boys walking
together, or chatting on the green with arms lovingly about each
others’ necks.
Other questions, such as the wisdom of educating the Indians away
from their tribes, or of the coeducation of the sexes, we have no
time to discuss. It is sufficient to say that the experience of
Hampton is thus far entirely satisfactory in these regards.
* * * * *
FISK UNIVERSITY.
Examinations—Ode to Jubilee Bell—Dr. Willcox’ Address—Prosperous Year.
The Nashville _Daily American_, whose proprietor is the Honorable
Secretary of the U. S. Senate, gives a full report of all the
commencement exercises of this school, from the Sabbath morning
sermon by Prof. Bennett, the baccalaureate by Pres. Cravath in the
afternoon, and the missionary sermon by Dr. Twichell, of Cleveland,
Ohio, in the evening, to the doxology with which the Alumni dinner
closed on Thursday afternoon, making in all at least five full
columns.
Monday was given to examinations. The _American_ says: “These
examinations were held in different recitation-rooms of Jubilee Hall
and were attended by interested visitors.
“We stopped a while in the room where the Senior Class was being
examined in Geology by Prof. Chase. One student was giving the names
of sixty or seventy specimens of minerals, ores, rocks and fossils.
Another was determining the nature of certain minerals by means of
the blow-pipe, while another gave the classification of the mineral
kingdom as he had written it on the board. Prof. Morgan was hearing
a class in Cicero as we entered the library, and one of the students
was reading in a sonorous tone the impeachment of Cataline by Cicero.
“In another room, Prof. Spence was hearing a class in Phædon. Prof.
Bennett conducted a class through the United States History within
the hour and a half allotted to him. Other classes were examined in
Astronomy, Virgil, and the Greek Testament. In Normal School, under
the care of Miss H. Matson, assisted by Misses E. M. Barnes and S.
M. Stevens, classes were examined in Arithmetic, Grammar, Physical
Geography, and Reading. A person passing from one room to another
would be impressed with the thought that hard and conscientious work
had been done, and that the examinations were impartially conducted
in order to draw out the exact knowledge of the pupil upon the
subject under consideration.
“In the evening came the Common School Normal Exhibition, beginning
promptly at 8.30 o’clock. The beautiful song, “The Morning Freshly
Breaking,” was sung by a well-trained chorus. The music of the entire
week, consisting of thirty pieces or more, was under the charge of
Miss Mary O. Swift, who combines with great ability as an instructor,
a voice of rare sweetness and power.
“Those who took part in this exhibition had finished the normal
course, which is adapted to the demands of the State schools, and
received a certificate in which their standing in the studies of the
Common School Normal Course is given. Most of these will continue to
pursue their studies further. The examination of the day, together
with the exercises of the exhibition, promise well for the remainder
of commencement week.
“On Tuesday, examinations were continued. We spent a good deal of
time in the Model School, an important attachment of the Normal
Department of the University. The presiding genius of this school
is Miss Irene Gilbert, a lady who seems to have been born for the
position she holds in the Model School.
“She has had upwards of a hundred children from the city under her
charge during the past year, and has carried them forward with an
unflagging enthusiasm, which has secured the best results. The
Normal Class, which received certificates on Monday night, have
paid daily visits to her school to witness the drill which she
gives her juveniles in the mysteries of reading, spelling, and
rudimentary mathematics. Details of students from the Normal School
have been made daily, who instructed the Model School pupils, under
the critical eye of Miss Gilbert. When it is remembered that Fisk
University contributes one hundred and fifty teachers to the schools
of the South, it will be seen that the drill thus received is
especially valuable to those who receive it.
“In the evening came the Union Literary Society Exhibition.
“Wednesday afternoon, at 3 o’clock, occurred the presentation of
the great Bell given to the University by the Jubilee Singers and
Mrs. Gen. C. B. Fisk, of New York. These were of an exceedingly
interesting character. Speeches were made by Prof. White and Mr.
Loudin, on the part of the singers, and by Pres. Cravath, Prof.
Willcox, and others; after which a poem by Prof. Spence of the
University was read. A number of pieces were sung by the Jubilee
Singers, who furnished much of the music for all the exercises.
ODE TO THE JUBILEE BELL.
BY PROF. A. K. SPENCE.
I.
Ring the bell! Let it swing and swell,
Peal on peal, with a joyous knell,
Till it thrills and throes and quivering goes,
Like a thing of life, that feels and knows!
To and fro, with a surging tide,
Let it send its greetings far and wide!
II.
Ring the bell, with thy swing and swell,
For thou hast a joyous tale to tell,
And gladder yet than the chime of old
That once the birth of our nation told:
For thou dost tell of a race set free.
Thou dost tell of the Jubilee!
III.
Ring, ring, and thy music fling,
As thou dost sway, and quiver, and swing!
Peal o’er the town with its din of men,
Wake the echoes in lonely glen!
Ring by Cumberland’s classic tide,
Scatter thy melody far and wide!
IV.
Knell, knell, with thy swing and swell,
Oh, glorious, liberty-loving bell!
In tones prophetic, sepulchral, slow,
In dirge of warning, in dirge of woe.
Solemn and deep let thy tones be cast
Over the grave of oppression, past!
V.
Well, well, dost thou swing and swell,
Oh, welcome and well-beloved bell!
Thou comest to greet us with loving hands!
Thou comest to bind us with loving bands!
When hearts are weak and our fears oppress,
Thou comest to cheer, thou comest to bless!
VI.
When the time shall come, as come it must,
And we shall crumble away in dust,
Thy voice shall ring on and on, for aye,
As it peals out on the air today!
And ancient sire to child shall tell
Tales of yore of the Jubilee Bell!
“The evening was given to the
SENIOR PREPARATORY EXHIBITION.
The programme was a full one, and well carried out.
“In some respects the Senior Preparatory Exhibition of Fisk
University is _the_ night occasion of commencement week. The interest
rises from the first, and culminates with Wednesday night. This was
specially true of this year. The knowledge of the fact that the
Jubilee Singers were to sing contributed to crowd the chapel with
such an audience as has not been assembled in it for months. Every
inch of available space was occupied, and many were compelled to
stand at the entrance unable to find seats. The Jubilee Singers
opened the exercises by a song, “Sweet Music”—Beethoven.
“Thursday, commencement proper:
CLOSE OF THE MOST PROSPEROUS YEAR IN THE HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTION.
“According to announcement, the commencement exercises took place
Thursday morning at 10 o’clock, in the presence of a crowded house.
In addition to the decorations of the previous day, the wall back
of the platform was tastefully set off with the folds of the Dutch
and English flags, the American flag being on duty on the border.
Upon the folds of the flags were arranged in letters of cedar the
words, ‘The Class of 1880.’ Six young men then gave their graduating
addresses. These are kindly and appreciatively spoken of, as able and
well delivered.
“Prof. G. B. Willcox, D. D., of Chicago, was introduced and spoke to
the graduates in reference to those things which scholars hold in
common. The ideal of a college graduate is that he has come to the
possession of his manhood. It is impossible to give the spirit of
this most able address. It abounded in wit, humor, and pathos. These
kept the audience on the alert for an hour, after they had sat two
hours during the previous exercises.
“Then came, what is now a feature of Fisk commencement day, the
Alumni dinner, with its post-prandial wit and wisdom. And thus closed
the most successful and prosperous year in the history of Fisk
University. The catalogue shows an aggregate of 350 students. The
work done in the class-room has been unusually satisfactory. There
have been abundant evidences of growth in character and mind on the
part of all the students.”
* * * * *
STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.
Why No Graduating Class—Threatened Suspension of Public Schools.
REV. W. S. ALEXANDER, NEW ORLEANS.
The anniversary of Straight University was observed at Central
Church. The audience, both in numbers and intelligent appreciation,
was one of the best ever gathered for such a purpose in the city. The
literary exercises were exceptionally fine. The original orations,
one on “Charles Sumner” and the other on “Our Glorious Union,”
were, both in composition and delivery, worthy of high praise. All
who heard them were proud of the young and promising orators. A
cultivated lady in the audience said to me, at the close of the
evening, “You don’t tell me that those orations were written by the
young men?” “Certainly; why not?” “Why,” she replied, “I have never
heard better.”
There was no graduating class this year. Those who in order would
this year have finished their course, were persuaded to remain
another year that their graduation might signify a higher grade of
scholarship.
The year has been crowned with the Divine favor. Three hundred
students have been in attendance, real progress has been made in all
departments of study, and the Institution stands higher today in
the estimation and affection of the New Orleans public than in any
previous year.
Unless all signs fail, the ensuing year will bring to our doors a
greatly increased throng of eager and earnest students. The public
schools of New Orleans, and of Louisiana, are threatened with the
evils of indefinite suspension. The doors will be closed June 30th,
and the wisest friends of education cannot predict the time of their
re-opening.
So far as adequate support is concerned, the public school system
in this State has been an uncertain quantity for many months. Its
fate trembles in the balance today. A subscription list is now in
circulation among the merchants and bankers to raise money to pay the
public school teachers the monthly salaries long since due. The most
plaintive appeals are made to public sympathy in their behalf. It is
a time to press forward our work.
Applicable to the impoverished State of Louisiana, so far as her
public schools are concerned, are the words: “The fields are white
already to the harvest,” and “The laborers are few.”
* * * * *
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.
More than a Thousand Visitors. Promise of the Coming Year.
The commencement exercises of this growing and popular University
were held on Thursday, June 3d, and drew together an unusually large
company of visitors within its wide grove of moss-draped oaks.
Many parents were present on this day, and also at the annual
examinations, which continued from Monday till Wednesday evening. Two
old men came from the northeastern corner of the State, a distance of
200 miles or more, to see their sons graduate.
The pains and thoroughness with which the examinations were
conducted, aiming to exhibit the pupil’s real knowledge of his
studies, the evidence throughout all of great care and constant drill
in the use of clear, simple and correct English, and the plain
indication of independence on the part of the students in their
studying and in their own thinking, made these class exercises of
unusual interest. The Senior Class passed creditable examinations in
Natural History, Science of Government, The Theory and Practice of
Teaching, and Natural Philosophy. There followed on Wednesday evening
the exhibition of the Primary and Intermediate Departments, combined
with that of the strong Temperance Society—an organization extending
through the whole school, and representing a work of great importance
yet to be done in this State, where nearly all people are in the
habit of drinking, and that to excess.
On Thursday, a class of seven young men presented orations, and
received certificates of graduation from the Normal Department
of the Institution. These orations were highly commended by the
prominent gentlemen who were present from Jackson. In the afternoon,
a stirring address was delivered by President De Forest, of Talladega
College, upon the topic of “Work.” This was followed by speeches
from Capt. Wolf, of Jackson, from Dr. Watkins, the venerable pastor
of the Methodist Church at Jackson, and from Dr. Hunter, pastor of
the Presbyterian Church of the same city, all of whom expressed
appreciation of the good work this Institution is doing. More
than a thousand visitors were present at these closing exercises
on Thursday, an excursion train running from a point fifty miles
distant for their accommodation. The location of the University on
this great railroad which passes north and south through the centre
of the State, these beautiful groves being only about half a mile
from the depot, furnishes rare facility for such a gathering of the
friends and patrons of the school. The ignorance among the people
in this State is fearful, but it is a very hopeful sign when the
colored people are themselves showing an interest in such a school as
this one now is, and when they are beginning to appreciate the sort
of training given here to their young men and women. Much of this
has been brought about through the wise, energetic and progressive
management of the President, Rev. G. S. Pope.
The promise for the coming year is flattering. The school will
probably be crowded even more than during the year just past. The
buildings must be in some way enlarged, or new ones provided, in
order to have room for all who will doubtless desire to come. There
has been little or no complaining by the students on account of
very rough, cold and crowded rooms—the only temporary places which
hitherto could be provided. Another year, however, ought to bring
better accommodations. Here is a place second to none in our country
for the doing of great and far-reaching good.
A. H.
* * * * *
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
Theological Department—Sixteen Graduates.
REV. W. W. PATTON, D. D., WASHINGTON
The anniversary exercises of the Theological Department of Howard
University, (which is largely aided by the American Missionary
Association), occurred on the 7th inst., in Washington. The spacious
and beautiful edifice of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church was
freely offered for the purpose, and was filled with a large audience
of white and colored people. Such an event could not have taken place
at any former time, and it marks the rapid and healthful progress of
public opinion. Six of the graduating class made addresses, which
were a credit to themselves and to their race, and elicited the
commendation of many intelligent gentlemen and ladies who heard them.
Sixteen students were sent forth to preach, all of whom go to the
South, to the Freedmen. Five of these had pursued a full course of
study, including Hebrew and Greek: the others had received training
in English studies only. Fifty theological students have been under
instruction in this department the present year. Each graduate
received a handsome Bible from the Washington Bible Society, and an
address was delivered by Rev. W. R. Harrison, D. D., chaplain of the
House of Representatives, and pastor of the South Methodist Church
in this city—a fact which marks the progress of good feeling. Never
before was the promise of usefulness in this work so great.
* * * * *
LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL.
(_From the Macon, Ga., Telegraph and Messenger._)
As announced, the closing exercises of the Lewis High School took
place yesterday, May 27th, and reflected credit alike upon teachers
and pupils. The latter, embracing both sexes, number 110; and a
more intelligent and well-behaved body of colored youth cannot
be found anywhere. The singing and music were especially good,
indicating great aptitude on the part of the scholars, and very
careful training. This Institution is under the care of the American
Missionary Association, whose headquarters are at New York. It
appoints the teachers, and supplies all the funds that may be needed
annually for its support.
The school is under the general supervision of the pastor of the
Colored Congregational Church, Rev. Mr. Lathrop, who also teaches
chemistry, philosophy and book-keeping. In all of these branches, the
pupils exhibited commendable proficiency.
Among those who attended the examinations were Rev. Geo. McDonald,
D. D., and Rev. Joseph Key, D. D. Both of these gentlemen expressed
themselves highly gratified with all that they saw and heard, and
when called upon, responded with neat and appropriate addresses, to
the great encouragement and delight of their auditors.
The Lewis High School, under the judicious management of Mr. Lathrop,
Miss Christine H. Gilbert, principal, and her efficient assistant,
Miss Belle M. Haskins, is doing a good work for the colored people of
Macon, and should receive the countenance and support of our citizens.
The college building is a neat brick structure, which was erected at
a cost of $5,000 upon the site of the edifice which was destroyed by
fire. The school will open again on the first of October next.
* * * * *
BEACH INSTITUTE.
(_From the Savannah Morning News._)
The scholastic year of the Beach Institute, which closed yesterday,
was made the occasion of interesting school exercises in the
examination of the several classes of the Institute, and an
exhibition of the scholars in recitation, declamation, reading and
singing.