Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1883-06-02
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, May 81, 1888,

I
ter of the evening in an address
which was emminently opposite to
the interest of the colored men In
this country. Prof. Lane, who was
elevated to the chair of Greek in the
College Department by the Board OF
Trustees at their annual meeting on
Tuesday evening, is an alumnus OF
both Howard and Amherst, and
has for several years been Principal
of the Normal Department OF Howard.
With the exception of Prof. Scar
borough of Wherefore University,
Ohio, he is the only colored Professor
of Greek of eminence among us. lie
is thorough and searching Greek
scholar, an admirable and successful
teacher, and will doubtless win the
reverence as well as respect of all
who shall have the privilege OF his
instructions. During the course OF
his remarks after commenting upon
the departure of T. McCants Stewart
and Hugh M. Brown to Liberia Tor
the purpose of teaching in Liberlan
College, he said; what was the
motive of their going and how Tar
shall the same motive influence
others of us to go to that dark contl-
nent not only in our youth as lndl-
viduals but in the infancy OF the
manhood of the race in this countrys
Was it because we have superabun-
dance of such men and do not need
hem at home? Surely this can not
be: for we are six millions strong
scattered over a country capable OF
maintaining hundred of millions and
as yet not one per cent of us are edu-
Gated. Most of the institutions OF
learning in the country are in the
hands of white men. l have heard
it said that at the Hampton Institute
they have not appointed any regular
colored instructors because they do
not want to set a precedent in that
regard. If they appoint one colored
person then in time they will have to
appoint others! If they appoint one
he will be likely to do so well in this
work that they will be compelled to
appoint others Well this IS an
argument in our favor and the day
will come when we will make it so
| tell in all parts of the South.
Then the proscriptive public school
system of the country, the spirit OF
caste in the Sunday School and the
church, the policy of prescription IN
all the industrial pursuits and even
! in the ostensibly benevolent work OF
private education tends to foster this
feeling in the colored boy from his
youth up causing him to exercise a
sort of slavish fear towards a white
skin which is the natural badge OF
his former oppressor. This is a..stand-
ing memorial of the white mans
crime and O herald of his infamy and
how palpably unjust is it for him to
use this as an argument against our
coming forward to take high position
among our own people"
The arguments advanced by Prof.
Lane, throughout his entire address,
we're for the security of high posi-
lions to capable colored men, were
unanswerable, and it may be interest
ing to note in connection with this
that on the following Tuesday night
he was elected to Geek Professor
ship at salary of 81, 500 per annum.
On Sunday the Rev. DIR. Patton,
President of the University, delivered
the Baccalaureate Sermon to the
members of the Senior Collegiate
Glass in which he characterized the
colored man in this country az the
American Ndzarene and counseled
him to be patient, work hard and
live down this feeling of caste.
The Senior and Post graduate
classes Of the Law department. held
their graduating exercises at the
Congregational Church on Monday
evening in the presence of a large
and appreciative audience. 1t is en-
couraging to notice that this Depart
ment which some years ago was sus-