New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-11
such change or amy otIlor. in the least deult Or

unnatural
HARD WORK FOR EDUCATION.
The University of Virginia is an institution
Thy of the interest of cultivated and public spirited
men everywhere, north we'll south. 1t is doing
excellent work. Many of its students poor, and
are struggling hard, with painfully limited MEANS
to acquire an education 1t greatly needs addi-
tonal endowment. have obtained by personal in
vestigation the knowledge of several cases of re-
markGble sclf-denial. of heroic endurance of hard
hip among the students of this University an of
other institutions in the Southern States. They are
precisely such familiar in so many New
England country towns in the old times when the
people in England country towns were poor,
and boy starved, and the whole family starved,
that he might go college. While visiting tho col
leges in Mississippi in Texas IN Alabama, North
Carolina and Virginia, have been constantly re-
minded of Horace Mann, and have thought
everywhere of the happy enthusiasm he would
feel If he were alive to-day and
could see what have seen of the work of the
friends of education in the South. i do not wish,
by naming the University of Virginia, convey the
Impression that other institutions in the South
not worthy of Northern sympathy and confidence.
In all the other States which have visited excel
lent work is being DONE and the colleges and unver-
sites. though sadly crippled for want of means,
still everywhere centres of light and of wholesome,
vivifying culture. Whatever BourbonismD there
may be in the South i'll other things cannot find
any of it in the work instruction of Southern
schools and colleges. Bourbon" by the way, is a
much-uscd word throughout the South; it always
means here anybody that differs from you-anybody
that YOU dislike. 1t is term of political reproach
which people of ell parties and opinions apply to
their opponents.
EDUCATION OF WOMEN
The female semnares, or boarding schools for
young women, are doing good work throughout the
South. The at Staunton, Va. is good type of
the class. should like to describe recent visit to
IT. -
degree of personal and domestic nature that cam
not speak of it very fully. But the school, like
eral others which / have recently visited in
different Southern States, is the life-work of a
good woman, and everything about it is pervaded
and inspired by her personal qualities. The cduca
ton which is given in these seminaries little
old-fashioned to a New England man, little moro
feminine than is given to the daughters of the
North, but 1t may be the for that. Ger
tainy the spirit of the pupils seems every where
markedly wholesome and satisfactory, as q visitor
is sometimes privileged to when dining in the
great ball with tho whole school. In several of
these schools have observed that the rules forbid
all novel-reading during the term. Many changes
going on in the South and moro will come III a
few years. changes i'll the education of girls and in
popular taste and sentiment regarding the position
culture and work of women Some things which
the South has brought down from former time are
good and it is to be hoped the Southern people will
not be in haste to renQuish them.
SUCCESS OF COLoRRD TEACHERS
The educational work in the South of the Ameri-
can Missionary Association is of the highest char
acter and deserves all possible recognition and
assistance. The leading Southern people every
where speak of it gratefully and enthusiastically.
At the Normal and Agricultural Institute Hampton
Va, at Talladega College, in Alabama, Tougaloo
University, Mississippi, Tiotson Normal School,
Austin, Texas and in several other colleges and
normal schools which 1 have visited though the
money endowment of the schools is scanty compared
with the amounts which needed, the cndowments
In personal qualities and character represented
by the teachers, of remarkably high order
This is Indispensable indeed for the peculiar nature
of the work of educating tho colored people
of the South requires the best teachers
that can be obtained. In many of these institutions
the boys learn something of various trades or me
chanicai occupations. and of Earnings and the girls
are taught sewing cooking and the of a house.
have visited great number of the negro common
and;high schools which are taught by graduates
and students of the colleges and normal schools |
which have named and think it very wonderful |
that so many of these negro teachers successful
They generally have to struggle against many dsad
vantages, but nearly all whom have seen have the
confidence and respect of the leading white citizens
where they are at work. have found few fools
among them, of course but great majority appear
To be sensible, earnest young men and women.
LAUDABLE Personal EFFORTS.
One Of the most important features of the educa-
tional work going on in the South is one which
from its nature have little public recognition
mean the private and personal missionary efforts
of the Of the leading white families for the
Improvement of the common people of both races
In their own communities. In many places where
the mon discouraged and depressed by the great
ness of the work which needs to be done for the |
people around them the feebleness of their TO- !
sources, and the unfavorable conditions under |
which all such efforts must be made there are q few
women who feel that something must be DONE and |
who are circulating every scrap of reading matter
That they can obtain, advising instructng and
encouraging the coOrod girls whenever they can |
obtain any hold upon them trying to inspire and
strengthen the young of both to rosist the
evil Influences about them and who are, in short |
demonstrating society by the DID, SLOW, best method
OF personal effort and influence have rarely found
anywhere carncstness greater than theirs or a |
Clearer sense OF the dangers to society from irno
rance and immortality. The appalling magnitude |
OF the evils against which they contend and the |
pathetlc senderneSs OF their means of warfare |
would deeply impress any thoughtf, person who |
conld observe and measure them, rs have had Op-
portunity to do III many places during the last few
months.
In several towns and country neighborhoods these
women are forming reading circles and clubs and |
trying 90 prepare the way for the establishment of
small public libraries No doubt much reading |
matter could be sent to them If / could give the |
names of persons TO whom il should be directed |
But that is not yet practicable. Such publicity |
would, in many instances seriously cripple this good
work, or, indeed, render it impossible. Such work
must be, especially in the South private and per-