National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-09-22
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
Objections of a Colored Man.

To the Editor of the National Republican:
SIR: For nothing does the executive committee
of Howard University deserve more censure than
for the removal of Prof Mitchell from the college
faculty. He had served the college faithfully for
six years, and when the committee discharged
him some Of the members stated to his friends
that they had dispensed with his services for no
fault of his own, but because such action was
necessary in order to bring the expenses OF the in
stitution within its income. i am inclined to
question the sincerity Of those who give this as
the cause Of his removal.
1t will be borne in mind that he was the senior
professor in the college faculty and in the event
of vacancy in the presidential chair he would
necessarily become the acting president. This
state of things they could not contemplate with
out fear, for already the administration Of Prof.
Langston had
THowN THEM IN THE BACKGROUND,
and they felt that should things be allowed to go
on in that manner the university would soon be
in the hands of those whose right It is to control
it, The trustees must have come to the conclu-
sion that ''any white man is better than the best
negro" or they would not have retained Mr..
Fairfield, who had only served ten months in the
college department, nor would they have dis
pensed with the services OF Professor Mitchell.
grsdnstan fTon 0bsIitS Dut The former hss bsen
"knocking around" for the past i've or six years,
teaching and preaching there and there" with
out receiving q call from any white college,
though he also had graduated from the college
over which his uncle presided. am informed
that students who graduated after himself have
long ago been called to
PRoFEssoRsHIPs AND TUToRsHIPs
in their Alma Mater and other Western and
Southern colleges, but he who is deemed 1T to
act as president In q colored institution never re-
ceived an invitation to chair In white COL
! take q great interest in the school, and would
say nothing maliclously to its detriment. do
hope that il may yet recover from the blow It has
received at the hands Of the trustees. But every
one knows that the students within her walls can
never attain high scholarship while they have no
They will be impressed with the fact that since
colored men, however learned and able, can get
40 positions Of honor in cOlored colleges not even
in their Alma Mater that, therefore, 1t is not
necessary that 1t is in fact q waste Of time and
energy to put forth unusual efforts to attain o
standing in scholarship that will only entitle
that would prosper better in less cultured hands.
Professors Langston and Mitchell have done
more for
DESERVING YOUNG MEN
than all the white trustees and professors COM
bined.
The one through his weIl-earned influence in
the Government Departments, and the other in
the public schools Of the District. The one, as q
leader of his race, gained an influence that has
helped great numbers into Government posi-
tions, and the other has, as trustee Of the pub
Lie schools, appointed and recommended for ap-
the District.
DUH Vi lucu dUlo I1Gus duu Gall caelig aho
a living without the aid Of the white trustees Of
Howard University. Prof. Langston Is too we'll
known to need any commendation. Prof Mitchell
accepted his fate without complaint and went
Immediately into the practice OF the law, taking
an office in Federal Buildings, corner OF Seventh
and T streets, where he has already secured Q
considerable practice The Commissioners of the
District, knowing his Worthiness, have appointed
him notary public in addition to the position of
trustee of public schools, which they gave him
last year.
was forced to speak thus much In Justification
of q man, who, being dismissed from an honors-
BILE position, was too modest to make complaint
or give explanation to the public. don't know
that he will thank me for It, but have done
what / consider my duty to one who is, in every
sense of the term "a gentleman, q scholar and q
Christian" A FRIEND OF THE CaLoRKD MAN.