Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-02
THE LATE EX-SENATOR POMEKoY.
Gen. Howard Recites Some Interesting Facts
Concerning Mis- Philanthroptc Work.

Gen. Howard Recites Some Interesting Facts
Concerning His Philanthropic Work
The New York Independent publishes letter
from Maj Gen. o. D. Howard concerning the
late ex-senator =. &. Pomcroy, which says In
| 1866, IN Washington, after my arrival from the
south to take charge of tho new bureau of r.
| Z. and A. L., few men who loved tho Con-
| gregational order met together and discussed
the question whether or not the time had
| come for the establishment " a church Of such
| thorough democratic form az our own. There
were thirteen gentlemen Of us who made the
| first substantial move. Very soon thereafter
the Hon S. c. pomeroy Joined us and heartily
subscribed to the movement. He attended
service when we held it in u hall before the
construction of the new church the corner
| OF 10th and streets, Washington.
After that / remember him particularly as al
ways In his place OH the Sabbath day. He
greatly enjoyed the singing OF the old hymns
Rock OF Ages. Cleft for Me, my Faith Looks
Up to Thee, Thou Lamb Of Calvary" &c. &c.
| His views on the questions that ut the time di-
| vided the church Fad the utmost breadth He
would make no distinction of race or color
| touching church membership, and be particu-
| larly enjoyed the preaching of those ministers
who put forth, Ill n kindly way, the whole
! truth; that is, he would be called a radical in
his religious sentiments. he ever in his
political convictions. The active workers in
organizing the new church, in planting upon
permanent foundations that Washington enter
prise. owe 1t more than has generally been
known to Mr.. Pomeroy, for he avoided all
special notice and ostentatiOn in the express
sions OF his sympathy and in his generous sup
port. At the first meeting. think in the win
ter OF % and 81. Of ,he incorr orators of
Howard University WAS Senator Pomeroy.
There remember particularly what interest
he and other members of Congress took in
tho new project. He sided with those OF us
who advocated u large institution rather than
what has since become n single depart ment;
that Is, a university in fact, with preparatory,
college, normal, industrial and professional de
partnents.
The university began without money. To
organize. to develop, to cndow, to locate, to
build. to furnish professors and teachers, i'll
brlef to work the whole affair into shape on
grounds AZ broad as humanity. required
thought planning, courage, faith in man and
faith III God. 1t was hard and long labor,
and Nh. Pomeroy, in the board OF trustees and
III the committees, spent all the leisure time
that he could command from month to month
and from year to year with fidelity and great
wisdom, and all without q dollar compensn-
ton.
In this work, too, he was foremost among
leaders who took radical grounds. No distinc-
lions TO be allowed In the board OF trustees. 1t
was composed OF blacks and whites. No dis
tInctior in the board of instructors in either
faculty on account OF race or color, and no
hlndrances were to be offered to amy in the
scholarships the advantages of the institu-
ton on account OF race or color or sex. 1t was
indeed i'll its establishment an institution Of
remarkable catholicity. Senator Pomeroy's
stanch support. SO cheerfully and yet SO firmly
given as to overcome opposition, was always
timely.
Once more, when Washington city was full to
the overlooking of those recently freed and Of
destitute refugees, rendered so by the closing
operations OF the great conflict; when valuable