National Republican., 1875-07-21
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
Rsjoindsr of Or. Charles B. Purvis to Prof.
Langston.

WASHINGTON, d. c., July II, 1875.
To the Editor Of the National Republican:
John nj. Langston, in which he says he will not
undertake to answer my letter In defense OF HOW,
ard University because i am not trustee, and
Certain reasons manifsst.h Let me say that ali
my letter contained was taken from the records
ofthe institution didn't rely upon ny Eye mem IN
several years. have attended all the meetings
ofthe board Of trustees except the last wrote
Approached me directly or Indirectly in reference
to Il. / knew Mr.. Langston would attempt the
destruction Of the University the moment ne was
defeated in the election for its president Once
when he threatened to have certain support
withdrawn from 1t in case we (his friends) failed
IL efforts 70 h La h% anySna s
would iDjure the Institution.
1t is not for Mr. Langston to say Lam oficious.
nected with the institution while he s not, and as
long as those who control it don't complain why
should heH ohcious or not, whether am an
have set them forth true, is what the public
want to know. Mr.: Langston says: ~ wonder Il
DR.. Purvis knows that the trustees have refused
to publish my annual report" know that
THEY HAVE NOT REFUSED.
At the last meeting of the executive committee,
who have full power to act, they passed the fol-
RsseIped, That catalogue for 1s74-'75 be pub
ished containing, In addition to subjects usually
embraced therein, q clear and full statement OF
the receipts and expenses Of the university dur
canno, conceive why Mr.. Langston is SO snx
ious to have the annual report published; Tor
praise he bestoWs upon himself-nothng to Gus
tain the recent charges he made. l am sure,
when he wrote his report-when he was still hope
full that he would be elected to the presidency
he did not see the rottenness Of the institution.
If he did, how could he have closed his report
"The university has steadily grown during the
year in the confidence Of the public, and, judging
from the correspondence which l have and the
expressions made with regard 70 1t In the Journals
the country, and influential persons privately,
ATTENDANCE ANOTHER YEAR WILL BE GREATLY
INCREASED,
and its opportunity for doing good enlarged"
Mr.. Langston seems to think that because am
merely professor, and not an oficer, am not
capable OF speaking knowingly. l surely have
facts than the student whose letter he publishes
in defense Of himself The effort to treat my
letter with contempt only shows he feels the
force OF II, and is verication Of Its truthlulness
As to my not answering the letter of Mr.. Fred
erick Douglass, there was no occasion for 1t, for
he has made no charges against the institution;
did when General Howard presided over 1t, and
that no one bss attempted to make it denomina-
tiOnal. He does not attempt to discuss its fnan-
cial condition or management. Mr.. Langston's
letter. the other hand, is full OF misstatements
which are not original with him, for the identical
ones were made two years ago, and refuted by
Mr.. douglass in an able and eloquent manner.
So rich are his words that will append por
tion Of them TO this letter. l do not seek con-
troVersy with Mr. Langston. have no feelings
against him. 1 am his friend. But he has COM
mitted blunder, and as time rolls on he will
gationaiist, he viii have 70 reconcile the dis
puted point with himself, for he has been bis own
accuser.
Extract from Mr.. Douglass Letter.l
There is nothing mysterious or difficult to ex-
plain in the present
v1UANcIA1 coNnITroN OF HOWARD uNIyERsITY
Notwithstanding the hue end cry raised in differ
ent quarters, there is nothing which ought either
to alarm its friends or give satisfaction TO its ene
mics. 1t is true that the president and trustees
of Howard University possessed large means, but
II is also true that they have brayely attempted
ana 9Ge0mps91eq @da6,s W0 and an an
keeping with the vast and wonderful events put
ting an end to slavery and lifting emanclpated
American citizenship it has been attempted to
accomplish in a year whatin ordinary times might
require q century. And this attempt, wild and
impossible as 1t appeared in the minds of many,
has become q living and breathing fact. Howard
University, fully equipped, completely organized
and IN vigorous operation, is now noble feature
tion. No matter fGom what part Of the city we
look, every eye that turns toward the beautiful
hills fringiDg our northern horizon halts in admi
ration Of the assemblage Of noble structures be-
longing to this institution Of learning. But the
enthusiasm which creates must in time give way
to the prudence which conserves.
"The trustees Of Howard University have found
It necessary to retrench; they have been COM
pelled 10 adjust their expenses to their income
They have offered small salaries to all the pro-
fess0rs of the university, and called upon them to
make temporary sacrifices for the
PERMANENT SUCCESS OF THE INSTITUTION.
The response for the most part has been honora-
BILE to the men addressed; but, naturally enough,
the test has been for some of the protes
sors, and the result has been grumbling discon-
tenti and this feeling among the disatteeted ac-
counts for the bitter attacks recently made upon
the managers Of this university"
With these eloquent words Of Mr.. Douglass in
defense OF Howard University, I bring this corre-
spondence to a close. The statement Of Mr.. Doug
lass was made only five months prior to the cleo
tion of Mr.. Langston IS acting president. quote
It here, together with the closing lines Of Mr..
Langston's annual report, made June Is, 50 that
the public may have the benefit of the testimony
Of two able representatives of the colored race as
to the prosperous condition of the university.
IL writing these two letters have been prompt
ed by conviction of duty, and not from desire
to iDjure or wound any one.
Respectfully, CHAs. B. PURvIs.