The New York herald., 1876-01-02
The LabOrS OF the Negro Singing
Troupe and Their Fruit.
OUTLINES OF STUDY.
Preparing Teachers for the Chill
dren Of the Colored Race
STEPS TOWARD ENLIGHTENM ENT.
Noble Work Of American
PhilanthrOpistS.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Jan !, 1875
Jubilee Hail the building newly erected for the Fisk
University, named in honor Of General Clinton B.
Fisk formally dedicated to-day in the presence OF
large lssemblage Of peOple-white and black Gov
Porter and other State Ofcias Bishop McTyere,
Of the Methodist Church. SOUTH and quite number Of
clergymen and educators were present General Fisk
who is the President Of the Board of Directors, pre-
sided and made the opening address, which embodied
and eloquent plea for cordial relations be-
the races, for the education and elevation
Of the colored people, and for the cultivation Of lib
era and patriotic feeling everywhere aboundng, as II
did in most generous sentiments toward the Southern
people, and urging that the past bury its dead
1t elected the warmest commentator. Governor Por-
ter Bishop hcTyeire, ex-Commissioner Smith, Presi-
dent OF the Howard University, and others also made
addresses. The occasion was notable one, being
important the advancing intelligence and prog
ress Of the negro in che South
When tho sound Of war had died away from the
Southern States there found therein great popu
ation who stood need Of everything, the
necessaries of life Thrown upon their own resources
by the fortunes of and the proclamation OF emanci
patton the colored people found themselves without
experience and in the midst of a portion OF
country that had been ravaged by contendng armies
and left in an almost chaotic state They rejoiced in
ward a life and bettering of their condition
the future seemed dark and hopeless. Their arst
thought to gam the substantials wherewith
to keep the gaunt wolf (starvationl from
their doors and to keep body and soul
gether, waiting and watching for that better
day that was surely coming. In the ever restless
surging that followed in the wake Of the they
were joted and josted until they finally settled in
tho homes and portions of the city that still iden
tilted with them. who they were thus occupied in
daily struggle for bread their spiritual and mental
welfare taken in hand by phianthropic men who
well fitted for the task AS with other races so
with them 1t was necessary educate them in order
to bring up their mental moral and spiritual natures
Various ionary societies In the North were the
FIRST make efforts in this direction and
TO establish schools for their benefit The
first OF the kind in Nashville was estab-
lished by Rev. J g. McKee, of the United Presbyte.
ran church, October 13 1863 He eminently fitted
FOR the place. being possessed OF undaunted courage
that would brook obstacles In any direction. His
work crowned with abundant for a number
OF years until other schools established by
societies, and the city schools opened for
coored children, when It gradually decreased in size
and influence, and finally abandoned About this
time tn 1866 schools established in Nashville by
Mehodsts Episcopalians Baptists and Congregation
alists which have gone forward prosperousy since
that time.
orENISG FISK UNIVERSITY.
Fisk school was opened January 9, 1866 in gov
ernment buildings, OF the Chattanooga depot
known that time the Railroad Hospital General
c. B. Fisk then chief Of the Freed mems Bureau
aud taking great interest tho enterprise IL was
called by his mama, He has since contributed largely
to its success The school was under the auspices OF
the American Missionary Association, Of New York,
and the Western Frcedmen's Aid Commission. In the
course OF year two the latter society turned
It's interest in the work 10 the American Missionary
Association, by which It has been fostered since
The school was under the management Of Professor
ogden, prominent educator Of the West OF
Ohio, who, during his two years in Office,
instructed over loo pupils annually In
versty and Board OF nine trustees appointed The
academic and normal departments we're then added
About this time General o o. Howard, Of the Freed
mems Bureau, donated 81, 900 20 the school, thus
rendering II advisable TO incorporate II and provide
with Board Of Trustees Tnis work performed,
boarding department was for the first time opened in
connection with the schoo in order that the students
might DO under good home influences Tho most bene-
ncaI effects resulted from this arrangement and Its in
huence upon the manners morals and habits OF those
awaiting themselves Of the privileges have far
passed the most sanguine expectations OF those who
troduced the new feature prominent part Of tho
work OF Fisk University has been
PREPARATION on TEACHERS
for the public schools OF the State and south. From
the first an Increasing number Of its students have
taught each year and have generally good work
Wherever they have taught they have received the
most hearty Endorsement only for their capacity
for governing schools aud mpartlng instruction, but
also Tor the moral character OF the student teachers
The statistics OF the arst year very imperfect but
OF the succeeding years very careful collections
have been made During the year 1872 hftY stu
dents Of the University have taught school in 1vo
diderent States The whole number Of months t1ught
was ia and the salary drawn S4577. The next year
ls73-ll3 students taught aggregate Of 4Sl months
number Of pupils 7OsS and amount Of salary Sl, GIL
The question Of supplying colored teachers IN the
South is important one, and 70 this work Fisk Un
versty has especially addressed itself II has already
done wonders in that direction. but proposes 10 sur
pass even itself In the future
THE c0LoRBD sISGgRs
In 1871 the University passed important crisis
its history Owing TO scarcity Of funds the parent
society, the American Missionary Association felt that
could hardly support 80 many schools as " had on
Its hards and seriously debated the question OF aban
donng Fisk University and leaving ths Geld to other
societies. At that time young by the OF
George L. White teacher Of music in the lnsttG-
HIS enth husasm for music unhag sing and his
ability to tram his classes extraordinary He felt that
Fisk University must not be gwen up and conceived
the design Of taking a company or colored singers
North to giyo concerts for the purpose OF raising onsy
to sustain the school IL easy task. The heId
was untried and many obstacles 20 be
Nothing dannted, however, be undertook the work
his own responsibility, and for time labored along
barely making money enough to meet current eIpen'
But at length the tide turned In bis favor, his
troupe became famous and both money and friends
flowed In upon them, aud al the end OF the concert
season the company had 10 show for their abors the
neat sum OF $50 Oo0 Another resulted pros
perously aud another $50 900 laid bes de tho
Having nov funds enough hand 10 begin operations
sKLgcTKB,
and twenty-five acres or ground purchased In select
ing the site che managers happy. IL
atod about mile northwest OF Nashville, Teaa
and occupies the former site Of Fora Glem The fort
was named IN honor OF Genera Giism. Of Modoo tame
who afterward resided on farm Nashville, and
who died there about four weeks ago. The fort
furnished with good armament but there
any occasion for It's use.
The fort dug down and the foundations Of Jubilee
Hall we're laid. The funds on hand purchased the site
and built the stone foundaton Including cellars aud
basement And now another campaign entered
upon by the Jubilee Sngers .hs Great Britain,
where they met with She most remarkable success,
netting $50 600 THIS carried on the building 10 cost
Of $40 900 The troupe returned home TO Ftsk Un.-
vcrsty TO reorganizo tor another season. The whOls
cost "a estimated 90 be Si2O 900 for the building The
remaining S50.ODO is TO be met by Of other
sources Of the institution constituted the Fort Hous.
ton property which was donated 70 the Institution oy
Congress, and the property formerly occupied FlsN
University and now vacated for The Oulding Tho
jubilee singers now Great Britain have acttcd since
min IN