National Republican., 1880-08-07
Education of tho Coiorod Race.

10 the Editor Of The National Republican:
SIR l embraced an opportunity while at
Old Point Comfort to visit the Hampton nor.
nal and agricultural institute near this place
aud will give your readers "a slight skotch Of
this noble enterprise.
The school was opened in 1868 on an estate
about two aud a.half miles from Fortress
Monroe. The number of colored students at.
tending the school the past year has been 1856
of which 1Sl were males and 10j females
The institution combines with course Of
English studies manual labor training, which
promotes self-reliance on tho part Of tho
young men and women educated here and
enables many to obtain an education by thoir
own efforts Some of the students work on
the farm, whero able-bodied boys receive eight
cents per hour. There is connected with the
school d saw-mill, which gives employment to
a number Of labor students, q knitting depart
ment, which is carrying out a contract to
make Is, 900 dozen pairs of mittens for Boston
firm, printing office, besides other industries.
Most of the graduates become teachers and
are in demand for the colored schools of tho
south, whore they receive as a general thing
salaries Of from S25 TO $50 a month for five or
| six months in the year.
The industrial training received at the
| school gives them resources which are of great
| help. Many teach in the winter and work on
| farm in the summer.
Another feature OF the institution, which
has recently been introduced, is the education
/ of Indians, Tho experiment has met with
| success. Sixty-eght Indians Of both sexes
| have been maintained the past year, partly by
private charity and partly by government aid.
They are eager to learn and have made good
progress. In the Indian workshops the tin.
ware needed by the school is made, also
wooden tables. The Indians also do black
! smithing and mend and make Shoes The In
dian girls receive instruction in washing,
ironing and cooking, and learn to make and
mend their own clothes. Many Vf these In
dians have been taken from the most savage
Tribes. The resultslaccompli ished are regarded
| as ahording proof of the capacity of the Indian
| for civilization.
Places in good families in Massachusetts,
have been secured for twenty. Five Indian boys
| and girls for the summer vacation Of three
and a'half months, whore they will improve
in learning our language and obtain valuable
experience in different kinds of work.
The financial condition of the institution is
not good. The state of Virginia has given it
one-third of the Agricultural college land
grant, which has heretofore realized about
one-fourth of what is required to support the
institution. The students cash payments do
not exceed So, 900 year. The energetic prln-
! cipal, General 8. @. Armstrong, manages to
obtain the necessary funds by personal effort
in appeals to philanthropists and charitable
people throughout the country. A visit to
| this institution convinces me that it Is doing
a great work and Is blessing to the country
| in educating and elevating tho colored race,
| helping to wipe out race prejudice and solving
| the problem of Indian civilization. General
Armstrong and his coadu deserve our
| sympathy and aid in their philanthropic efforts
in the cause Of education and equal rights.
n n