New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-07-09

| race.
cannot at present enter into an analysis
OF the preparatory department, because
have not figures before me. You can form
no idea OF its composition, however, when
tell you that on last Thursday evening il
closed its session with an exhibition in which
nine young men took part-fiye of them were
white students. This department is wei
organized and well taught-some of the col
lege professors taking part in the instruction
thereof.
On Tuesday (to-day) we shall send forth
five devoted followers of Thetis, who will
without doubt, made their marks in the law
OF these fortunate young fortunate in
receiving the "well done" of this noble in.
stitution-one is colored.
L cannot enter into an analysis of each
college class, because such course would
probably abuse your patience. Our classes
are, of course, small. We expect, however,
large Increase of students next year. Com.
munications asking for information touching
the University, are coming in from several
States, North and South. We seniors, for
instance, expect an acquisition to our class
in the form of student who stands second
amongst his fellows at an eastern college.
He is making change because he must
study in warmer climate or not at all.
l am sorry that have felt called upon to
make so many references to races. do not
like to do it; but want it distinctly under
stood that the University of South Carolina
Is not in possession Of any one race or any
one condition Of men. Its advantages are
being enjoyed by young men who want to
make their State better by themselves hav-
ing lived in it.
The finest argument in favor of "equality
before the law.'i is found here in this peculiar
place. The two races study together, visit
each others rooms, play ball together, walk
into the city together, without the blacks
feeling themselves honored or the whites dis
graced. When Republican Congress can
be made to do US full justice, when all chill
dren shall enjoy equal educational ad-
vantages, then will begin the work of
sweeping away every vestige of that
damnable prejudice and prescription which
stunts our growth as American citizens, and
violates every high and noble principle of
our manhood.
L can never come up to this question of
equality before the law" without remem-
berng how earnestly the great and good
Sumner addressed the law class which grad
uated from Howard University, in the winter
of III, on the subject of equal rights. can
never forget the majesty of his appearance,
the power of his voice, when, after saying
that the Constitution knows no distinction on
account Of color or race; after saying that
the common school, where the child is pre-
pared for the duties of manhood, should know
no distinction unknown to the Constitution ::
he asked this pertinent question: The Con-
stituton does not contain the word "white,"
who can insert it in the law? Is not an in
controvertible argument involved in that
single query? Who can logically answer it
so as to oppose himself to Mr.. Sumner? The
Constitution does not contain the word
"white," who can insert it in the law?
find that 1t is impossible to refer in detail
to the professors who are instructing in the
University. L do not think that there is a
better corps in any other Southern institu-
ton. They are fully prepared by training,
learning, ability and experience to do much
good, particularly for the State.
Take, for instance, the professor of the
ancient classics: an original son of Greece,
a graduate of Yale, and at one time U. S.
consul at Athens, and Greek correspondent
for Grecian paper. He has for his work
every necessary qualification. He can speak
with enthusiasm from the Vienna from which
Demosthenes Numbered, of the theatre in
which the plays of Sophocles were acted, be-
cause In his youth he wandered over those
classic spots. His face lights up when he
speaks of the Roman forum in connection
with the eloquent Cicero, because he has
been in the External City" again and again,
and amidst the ruins of her stately edifces,
he has felt the sacred, ennobling influences
Of departed ages.
There are eight professors in the college
department, simply representing Harvard,
Yale, Brown, University of Vienna, Charles
ton College, and Pennsylvania institution
that cannot now remember.
have just returned from listening to the
exercises of the graduating law class. Of
course can only make passing reference
to them. At eleven O'Clock this morning,
the Trustees, headed by the Governor the
Faculty, headed by its chairman, and the
students, formed themselves into process
sion in front Of our library. They then
marched to the chapel under the leadership
of our Marine Band.
The erations were ordinary; the degrees
were conferred in fine styles the chairman
of the Faculty first addressed the class in
Latin, and then in the same language pre-
scented the diplomas.
A word as to our advantages. Being an
old institution, we have almost every conve-
nience for studying the higher mathematics
and the sciences. Our library contains
thirty thousand volumes, and an excellent
collection Of paintings and sculpture. The
college literary society alone has library Of
from twelve to fifteen thousand volumes, its
hall is hung with several fine paintings and
bedecked with few valuable specimens OF
sculpture.
A student coming here has to look out
mainly for books and board There are no
ordinary University fees. In point Of health