New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-02-13
Lettcr from Virginia.

HAMPTON, Va, Jan. 80, 1873.
To The Editors Of Ne,o National Era:
Some words, pregnant with meaning, of
our most truly national poet, Whittier, have
been in my mind since coming here last week
to look little into the practical workings of
the Normal School for the freed people, es-
tabshed some six years ago, under the
direction of General Armstrong. They are
these
Turn and o'erturn, oh, outstretched hand,
Nor stint nor stay,
The years have never dropped their sand,
No mortal issues, vast and grand
As ours to-day"
How truly wonderful are all these changes!
They read like page from some exciting
work OF fiction. Here are all those colored
people who, ten years since, were not men
and women in the eye Of the law, but crea-
lures to be bought and sold at the pleasure
OF their masters-whom it was States
prison ofiense to teach to rcad-now sitting
quietly in their places in this large, we'll
ventilated school room, with none to modest
or make afraid, learning with rapidly and
eagerness which ought to put those who have
always enjoyed such advantages to shame.
They make exceedingly satisfactory scholars,
because, though not always quick, lowing to
generations of enforced ignorance behind
them,) their desire to learn is so eager.
Especially are they gifted in song; and it
is on this subject that would like to saw
few words to your readers, hoping to make
good the claim of these singers upon them
for interest and sympathy.
The aim OF the school is to train colored
teachers for their own race. The scholars
now here number two hundred and seven
teen, but double that number are largely
| pressing forward for admission. Unfortu-
nately the buildings now occupied for school
purposes are quite inadequate to its needs,
even on its present comparatively small
scale. Could these be increased, its useful
ness would grow in proportion.
A fund Of one hundred thousand dollars is
necessary to meet the expenses of this under
! taking. To raise this amount the singing
corps of the school, calling themselves "the
Hampton Students" are about to begin a
concert tour in the North. There are seven.
teen of them in an admirable state of drill,
and the singing Of their own peculiar melo-
dies, which is what they intend to do, is
truly admirable.
! King Solomon to the contrary, notwith.
standing. here is something new under the
sun These boys and girls in their desire to
help their less fortunate brothers and sisters
have set themselves a difficult task. They
have labored for months with diligent per.
severance at their musical studies, and have
undergone with patience the severe daily dis
cipline necessary to attain their end.
There is something at once soul-stirrine
and pathetic in the determination ON the par1
of this long-oppressed people to conquer fol
themselves the difficulties which beset then
On the way to thorough education, and a,
shown in this instance, the generous, self
sacrificing spirit is beyond praise. VIII,
among US would do so much?
Their initial concert is to take place i.
Washington on the evening Of February Is
They will be assisted by chorus of fit,
voices from Howard University, and it i
hoped that this entertainment will lie on,
which shall long live In the memory Of thos
fortunate enough to be present.
Il The enthusiastic countemnce and suppor