Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-06-12
communicated

MIR EDITOR IL ask leave to send
this brief article to partly express the
satisfaction realized from the Teach
er's Institute just closed. Since I
have been in America, / often wonder
why it is that our educated and en-
lightened brothers do not go to the
old "father-landn (Africa) with the
glorious light of the Truth which
makes men free indeed. In reality,
Judging by the unintelhgent masses
who emigrate to Liberia from time
to time, we were led to believe that
Ignorance was rs prevalent among
the colored people Of America as it is
among the people of the thickets and
jungles Of Africa. But we were mis-
taken for there are as much intelli-
gence displayed among some of tho
Afro-Americans as among the whites.
| presume that these are only prepar-
ing the minds and hearts of tho s.
100000 of our people for the cross
ing OF the Atlantic where they will BIO
better able to march in and possess
the land Again, / was greatly i'm
pressed of their advancement and of
fieiency in the person of Mr.. j. r.
Clifford, who conducted tho Teachers
Institute in this place last week. and
also in the skill which was manifested
on the part Of tho teachers who so
heartily co-operated in the exercises.
/ most truthfully concur with many
of the experienced teachers, that this
was the most profitable Teachers In.
stitute l ever attended in my life.
The instructor laid himself bare to
all caiticisni and questioning by the
teachers, and many times the ques
tons asked were SO puzzling and COM
plicated that / feared for him, (for
some of the teachers, / must say,
were trying his ability, but he always
proved equal to the task. Many lit
tie things have been bothered over,
can now solve readily by applying
Mr.. Clifford's methods which were in
troduced in the Institute, and should
I find any one hard pushed for the
pronunciation and accentuation Of
words, / would gladly recommend
them to Mr. Clifford.
/ admire Supt. Morgan's wisdom
in selecting for our instructor such
model gentleman of our race, and as
our men and women become qualified,
beg that they may be given honor
able positions in proportion to their
moral and intellectual merits. There
was not q teacher who did not carry
awao from that Institute more than
he expected. And right here must
say / hope my people will cease to
cherish the idea that black man is
not as capable of conducting affairs
as white man, when he has had the
same advantages This is slavish
idea, and as slavery is thing of the
past, we can't bear to tolerate such
foolishness. But rather rejoice al
your brothers promotion and patron.
ize him to the best of your knowledge
Miss Franklin, the elocutionist oil
Storer College, gave clear explana-
ton in the art of reading, Wednesday
afternoon, and the following night
read an admirable selection styled,
'When you court girl, court her
honest and square," Several other
selections were read during the even
IN. sessions by our lady teachers,
which did them credit. Some times
choice pieces from memory were reci-
ted, one of the short; sweet ones was
a selection from Tennyson
acknowledge is no more fountain sealed,
Drink deep, Until the habits Of slaves,
The sins of emptiness, gossip, ond spite,
and Islander die,
Better not be at all,
Than not TO be noble.v
The last day Of the Institute was
interesting and impressive. The con-
rents of the query-box were read with
pleasure. General talk on the exer-
cises OF the program. Teachers made
feeling remarks for the encourage
ment Of ZACH other and before dis
missiod, the sweet him was sung:
s'Blest be the tie that biads
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship Of Kindred minds
Is like to that abOve.v