New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-20
Letter from Mississippi.

VICKsBURa, Mss, March 10, 1873.
To the Editors ofthe NeW National Era:
1t may not be uninteresting to your readers
to give them short account Of the condition
and prospects Of Alcorn University. AS you
are aware this is an infant institution oflearn-
ing, established by the State of Mississippi
in 1871, and designed to provide university
education for colored youth, shut out as they
have hitherto been by spirit Of caste from
the academies and colleges, not only Of Mis-
sissippi, but the entire South.
From the extent of its resources and the
comprehensiveness of its mission the insttu-
ton is destined to be, at no distant day, one
of the leading universities Of the country. 1t
is endowed with the princely income Of fifty
thousand dollars per annum from the State,
secured to it as a vested franchise beyond the
reach Of legislative interference, by the act
of incorporation, and has, in addition, re-
ceived donation of something over one hun
bred thousand dollars from the Agricultural
College fund-the latter sum being invested
in per cent. State securities as permanent
fund. 1t is located at Oakland, Claiborne
county, Mississippi, four miles from Rodney,
and about twenty-five miles from Natchez.
The buildings, which are ample, were origin
ally erected, and for quarter of century
occupied, as "Oakland College," Presby-
terrain establishment, which claims the credit
of having educated some of the first minds ip
Mississippi, but which, like many other
memorable institutions, succumbed TO the
fortunes of war and the prostration Of the
country
"Chill perjury repressed their noble rage
And froZe the genial currents of the soul"
After repeated efforts after the war to set
the university again on its feet, the trustees
were finally compelled to definitely suspend
operations, and its doors had been perma-
nently closed when the trustees of Alcorn
University became the purchasers of the en-
tire esta blishment for the sum Of forty thou
sand dollars. The tract consists Of 235 acres,
and there are seven brick buildings, including
one chapel, four dormitories, and two literary
halls; also one frame refectory, Presidents
house, and number of frame cottages-the
original cost Of the buildings being not less
than s100, 900.
| Alcorn University was thrown open fol
the reception Of students about the 18th o.
of February, 1872, with a faculty consisting
of Hyram Il. Reyels, D. D., President, ant
Lawrence W. Minor, A. NJ. John G.. Mitch
ell, A. NJ, and J. r. Blackburn, A. B., al
professors. The number Of students entered
during the remainder Of the academic yea
was forty-three, which, though small mum
Der in comparison with the capacity Of tb'
institution, was yet considered by the trustee
board as fair start, and as presaging tn
ultimate success of the university.
;. The Aecond academic year opened on th
first Monday In October last. BY the first {
January there were 40 students, and q
present, although the university has br
just entered upon the thirteenth month Of Il
existence, it numbers Leo students. A so,
cess 30 rapid and 30 brilliant has rarely q
i. tended the growth Of any institution Of Learn
ing. II is already . power in the land, an