New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-19
Chair i'm AIeorn University-FrOm a Porter
TO a Professorship.

fFrom the Louisville C0ur1er'JourIal
Lawrence Mirror. a'colored porter on the
steamer General Lyle, of the Louisville and
Cincinnati mail line was few days. since
rendered one of the chairs in Alcorn Uni
versity, in the State of Mississippi, and has
accepted the position. AlcOrn University
was founded year or two since by the
State legislature and an endowment fund
of $4,000 per annum was appropriated Tor
its support This annual income is 10 DE
paid for five years, after which 1t Is ex-
pected that the University, by private do
nations will be selfsustaining. letter re-
ceived by the newly made professor yester-
day states that the University has been
located at Adams county, Mississippi, near
Natchez. and will be open for the reception
of students the first of October. Inc lhSu-
tuition is. we believe, to be devoted exciu,
sively to colored pupils, and 1t Is hope9
that 1t NAV be productive OF immense goou
in educating that large and now very I'M
portant element of the body poltlc In the
State. &C.,.
Yesterday a reporter from the Courier
.Joou.nnI interviewed" Professor Minor as
IN his MIST life and intentions in the future.
He was born ON LinwOOd plantation In AS
cension parish, LOUISIANA lew miles IRON
Donaldsonyile and seventy-tiye miles up
the river from New Orleans. His father
was the rich owner OF the plantation,
bachelor up to the time of his death. He
had three children by Minors mother, two
bows and one girl. The daughter is now
living in Cleveland, Ohio, and has a son
private secretary to Lieutenant Governor
Dunn One of the sons was an officer III the
first colored company ever raised IN the
United States, and participated IN most OF
the battles of Missouri and Arkansas under
Curtis He died some years since from
maladies contracted in service The other
son is the subject of this article Before the
fathers death he was impOrtuned by lady
me,ubers of his family-which was and is
one of the best in the South-to give his
children a thorough education, to which he
consented, and engaged private tutor for
that nurpose. As they grew up he pre-
nared TO send them North, where better
facilities existed, but death INTERVIEWED be
fore carving out his intention. He left
provision in his will, however, manumitting
the children and their mother and prOvid-
ing for the further education of the former.
In the year 1916 Lawrence, then quite
Young man, enteped class of fifty, in
Oberlin College, Ohio, where he is said to
have been distinguished for proficiency in
every study he undertook. During his
senior year, however, a slight difficulty oc-
Cured between himself and one of the
tutors which was brought to the attention
of the faculty. The option was given him
either to apologize or be dismissed, but
with all the blood of his father boiling in
his veins at the real or tancied injustice
done him, he embraced the latter alterna
tive. and left the college.
In 1850 he went to New Orleans, and
taught school for four years or more. lie
then married. and coming North went on
the river as porter of one of the steamers OF
the Louisville and Henderson mail line,
where he remained until taking a similar
pesitiou on the mail line between this city
and Cincinnati. In this position. it may be
remarked from the experience of all who
knew him, he was noted for the courteous
and dignified manner in which the duties of
his place were accomplished. 1t was always
a matter of wonder that he should have re-
manned in such subordinate and obscure
situation, but. as he said yesterday, the pro-
vision for his family forbade any political
aspirations he might have had, and kept
him close to the business that assured to
them q comfortable Subsistence. In t1is
position he remained until the reception OF
the news as above stated, OF his appoint
ment as professor in Alcorn Uni
yersity This appointment insures him
a salary of $500 per annum, and,
if we. mistake not, the place will
lead to a much higher emOlumen,
The day is past when the education OF
the negro race is to be INSTRUCTED; the
question that now presents itself is the best
method of. that education. Shall a parcel
of ignorant, preiudiced and irresponsible
alien white menjhave charge of their de-
yelopment into a more educated race or
shall it be confided to men of their own
color who have had the advantages OF
liberal education, who sympathize with
them and know their needs, and above all,
who are capable and prepared to counsel
them to their best interests! This is the
problem that has presented itself in form
ing the faculty of this institution, without
doubt destined by its influence to play
prominent part in the future OF Mississippi;
and Governor Alcorn has found the solu-
With Senator Revels, its future pres
ident, the public is familiar; of
Lawrence Minor it may be. said that
no better selection could have been
made. His capacity for the position
is undoubted; he seems land knowledge
of him for years back bears out the justice
of the appearapce) man OF strong, good
sense, as a basis upon which has been built
a substantial education. He converses flu
emily upon abstract subjects, such as indi-
cate the cultivated man in common par
lance; writes an admirable hand, and COM
poses q letter such as any educated man
would indite. In short, laying all prejudice
aside, he is as well, if not better educated
than the majority of men met every day in
social life, and the people of Mississippi are
to be congratulated that the care of their
colored youth has fallen into such good
hands. Upon the subject of the political
aspect of affairs in the South, Minor is re-
ticent; but, so far as relating to his own
people. it may safely be asserted that his
views will be productive of good to them,
and of commensurate benefit to the white
people of the State.
In personal appearance, Minor is a strik-
ingly handsome man for one of his color.
He is bright mulatto, with the features
peculiar to his race but slightly developed.
He is very tall rather stout, and dignitied
in demeanor. His conversation is fluent
and pleasant discussing readily any subject
YOU may introduce. He has always borne
the reputation with those with whom he
was connected as quite remarkable man,
and is perhaps as well known upon the
river from Cincinnati to Henderson as
almost any man above or below him in posi-
ton. He will make his mark in the future
of Mississippi, now that negro suffrage has
become an established thing, in his capacity
AS a teacher.
The Shreveport So~threster" says re-