Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1889-11-07
THE COLORED ORATOR.
Some of the Particulars of Clement
MOrgan's Life at Harvard.


Harvard, is credit to Harvard in ever,
sense of the word, says New York Worlt
dispatch from Boston. No young mar a
Harvard has manners more polished; nom
maintails a better personal appearance
few, if any, use finer English, and when i
comes to intelligence the colored ex barber
ex waiter, son of an emancipated slave, Il
voted one of Harvard's best scholars. This
Morgans name does not appear among th'
winners of scholarships is explained by tn,
fact that for considerable part of his col
lege course he varied his hours of study
with hours of honest toll to gain money
for his support. The campus is ringin.
with praises of the courageous action O
the young men of the senior class, and
save for a narrow minded few, the gradu
ates nesr Boston applaud the action vigor
Ously.
Ever since Morgan entered Harvard il
the fall of 1886, he has lived with coloreG
friends in Cambiidgeport. Latterly he has
lived at 139 Columbia street in neat frame
house occupied by his colored friends, the
Banks family. The house is situated il
what is called an Questionable neighbor
he cd at a distance of about mile and q
half from Harvard. Here is his study in q
comfortable room in the upper story, with
q well-flle bookcase in the corner. The
Banks family is one of the best known to
the cOlOred population of CambridgepOrt
and through them young Morgan made the
acquaintance of such prominent cOlOred
men as Judge Ruffin, the Baileys and the
Baldwins.
AMONG HIS OWN RACE
Morgan has spent most of his leisure time,
and his relations with the students have
except in rare distances, not been of the in
innate character of student life. This
is not due to any hostility among the
students toward colored man, but
because he has had little time for
making friendship, so busily engaged has
he been engaged in earning money to carry
him through. One of the seniors to day
said that Morgan frequently came to his
room and was always welcome there, for
he was a perfect gentleman, and always
conducted himself with propriety. The
same man said that he thought Morgan
held himself aloof from the class because
so large percentage of the members are
southerners, and he preferred not to lay
himself or them or their friends open to
embarrassing complications. Generally
speaking, while Morgans social status can-
not be defined, because never sought to es-
tablish it, he is popular, and did he so
choose he could make strong friendships.
He is not member of either of the college
societies ner did he ever appear publicly in
the class meetings. By disposition he is
retiring.
IN THE BOSTON LATIN SCHOOL,
which he entered in 1884, to prepare him
self for college, Morgan was one of the
most popular men in his class. The Latin
school is public school and there young
Morgan mingled among his fellow students
far more than at Harvard. The boys all
thought he was good fellow and elected
him adjutant of the battalion in the school
regiment, an honor which came to the
young colored man unsolicited. He made
as fine soldier as he did a scholar there,
and n the annual parade of the regiment
through the city and review on the COM
mon before the Mayor and Governor, Adju
tant Morgan was the observed of all OBJ
servers. He took the regular course
in the Latin school, and was gIaduated
sixth in the class. His oratorical ability
won for him the first prize at the
school graduation exercises. During his
connection with the Latin school Morgan
supported himself by working after school
hours in a barber shop. For three summer
seasons he was a bell boy at the United
States Hotel, Saratoga. The first money
he made after entering Harvard College
was earned in barber shop In East Cam
bridge, not mile from the seat of learn
ing, and near enough to gain the patronage
of his own classmates. Morgan won the
friendship in Cambridge of the wealthy
Misses Smith, charitably disposed ladies,
who aided him in finding place to live
and study, and who, it is said, have aided
him in financial way. His mode of liv-
ing has been inexpensive. He has none of
the vices SO common to college students.
IN SPITE OF HIS NARROW MEANS
he drersed in good taste. When seen by
the World correspondent he wore we'll
fitting sack suit of mixed gray goods. He
is of medium height, weighs about 155
pounds, has a smooth face, except for
luxuriant mustache and his skin is very
black His face shows much intelligence,
and he talks in a smooth, fluent, yet for
chile style, pronouncing his words with
cleor articulation and punctuating his SEN
tences with graceful gesture. Standing erect
he makes striking figure, his elocu-
tionary training having taught him how
to hold himself when on his feet. His
oratory is finished to a degree seldom
found in one SO young. As public reader
he has made a great success. The last
summer, in company with a classmate, w.
E. B. Dubois (also colored), he made tour
of the New England seaside and mountain
resorts, giving readings selected from the
standard works. He carried with him let
ters of introduction from President Elliot
and several Of the Harvsrd professors. 1t
is understood he deposited in the bankEa
snug sum of money, the result of his sum-
mer work.