Richmond planet., 1897-05-22

COGENT REASONS
A Crushing Conclusion.

A Crushing Conclusion.
There has been much talk relative to
the placing of Baptist Of African de-
scent in charge of one OF the depart
ment schools upon the grounds Of the
virginia Union University.
Rev. DR.. NJ Macvicar, who made
such an able plea for the work before
the Virginia Baptist Convention, Fri
day, l4th inst, at Salem. Va received
from Rev. Thomas ] Morgan, LII ID /,
Corresponding Secretary Of the Ameri-
can Baptist Home Mission Society the
following letter, which, with his per-
mission, we publish:
THxlxrrER.
TnE AMERICAS BAPTIST Hons Mis-
SION SooIkrY.
New York. May 7, 1897.
REV. NJ. MAcVIoAR, Ii. ID.
Salem, Va.
Dear Brother:-
Referring to our repeated CONVERSE
control OF the schools for the Negroes
let me soy that, as you we'll know, /
would be exceedingly gratifird to see
an increasing number of these schools
turned over TO the absolute control Of
the Negroes. sympathize with their
laudable desire TO manage their own
institutions. We must, however, bear
in mind the important confederation
that these schools are very costly, re-
Quiring a large amount of money for
their establishment and also for their
subsequent maintenance.
THE ALL-IMPoRrAET QUESTION.
Now the question which presents it.
self is practical onel Can the Ne
groes secure money sufficient TO make
their schools success when managed
by themselves Apparently they are
not able to do this They have, as we
both we'll know, complete control o
the schools at Louisville, Kentucky
Macon, Mo Little Rock, Ark Selma
Ala Jacksonville, Fla; Lynchburg
Va and others.
| In not one single instance have theI
secured sufficient money either fo
ground and buildings, or for endow
ment. or for current expenses. In ev
cry case, believe, they are appealin,
i to the Home Mission Society for hell
to meet current expenses, and in mos
cases il that help were not rendered
the schools would be closed absolutel,
or greatly reduced in.efticiency-
SAVED FROM THE SHERIFF
In some instances, as you we'll know
it has only been by the timely aid o
the Home Mission Society that Gh,
schools have been saved from the sher
lif 1t seems to me theref re that be
fore we consider the question of turn
ling over any other school 70 their con
troll, we should have assurance made
doubly sure that they will be able tC
furnish the money necessary to NEE
it's expenses.
The Home Mission Society has grea
difficulty in securing money for thes
institutions, and yet during thirty
years it has secured nearly three mil
lions Of dollars and it has accumulat
ed very large amount of property
and made considerable progress in en-
dowments. / believe that the Societ
can still continue to get money fo
these institutions.
WHY THEY WILL NOT GIVE.
If the question should be raised VIII,
friends OF Negro education will Civ
money to the Home Mission Societ,
and will not give it to the Negroe
themselves, / think the answer i
found largely in this fact that peopl
who have money to give are anxious =
give it where there is the largest d.
gree OF certainty that it will be care
fully expended, and where endowme
funds. especially, will be perfectly Sc
cure.
A SPLENDID HISTORY,
The Home Mission Society has ha
sixty five years of history, has raise
and disbursed more than ten million
of dollars, and has the reputatio
which it has justly earned, of beiD
wisely and prudently managed. Pee
pie therefore who have money Co Civ
for education feel perfectly safe i
trusting it to the Home Mission Socie
ty: they would not have the same cor
fidence in trusting it TO any individ ua
of whatever color, or of trusting it I
any institution which was not alread
, thoroughly established.
SAFE IN TRUSTING.
Harvard and Yale Universities al
constantly receiving large sums =,
money by gift and by legacy, becaul
their history Is such that friends
= education feel perfectly safe in trus
ing their money to them. New schoo
however. without history, find it e,
T ceedingly difficult to secure help eve
: from those that are strongly incline
that way. The Negro schools are I
exceptions in this respect; viii
schools have had the same experienc
TO THE WISE AND THoUGHTFUL.
1t seems therefore, that it is wor
E while for our Negro friends, the wi
n and thoughtful among them, to To,
this fact SOU arely in the face, and
T recognize the significance of &c i'm rt
9 erence to the institutions of learnil
that are doing so much for them T
Home Mission Society. because it il
y society of established reputation, al
n wisely managed business corporate
Il can secure money for them which {
q Negroes could by no possibility get
they had control Of the schools.
THE TIME TO COME.
Doubtless the time will come in {
future when the Negroes will be al
to contribute more largely themselv
N for the support of their own inStit
l. tions, and along with this will cor
b, an increase of ownership and contr
10 In the meantime, the wise thing
10 all that love this great caus0 and th