The age-herald., 1898-03-27
NEGROES OFFERED
 SPLENDID CHANCE
If They Are Not Educated in Ala bana It Is Their Own
 Fault.
snecIal to The Age-Herald.

Normal, Ala, March 26.-If the negroes Of
 Alabama are not educated it will not be
 the fault of the state, as every possible
 opportunity Is given them to secure an education. No state in the union can boast
 louder of it's educational institutions for
 negroes than the state of Alabama.
 One of the most interesting scenes in America is to be witnessed at this piaces which is about four miles from the historic city of Huntsville and where stands the Agricultural and Mechanical college Tor ne- groes. At this place is to be found over 400 negro boys and girls from all parts or the state and many from other states who are qualifying to so out in the world. Ihey attend the school on account of the eN- cellent advantages offered them to not only get a classical education, but to learn a trade as well, to become skilled work men, good housewives and to work to build up the negro race in general way The school was started by Prof. William H. Councill, A. M., in 1875, in the basement of a colored church in Huntsville, and he was the only teacher. He showed at that Ettime that the negro desired to fit himself for citizenship and was willing to learn even at a sacrifice. They crowded in the church week after week, and it soon be- came necessary to empty additional teach CTS and rent houses in the ne!ghborhood It soon became necessary for the state to provide suitable accommodations for these negro boys and girls who were clam bring for an education, and many desiring to take up the industries
 Five acres were purchased in Huntsville and the school established and has made rapid progress. To the president is due much credit for its success, he labored annually for the institution, and taking the part of a missionary during the summer, travelled through the state showing the young men and women of his race the ad- n he derived from tho inStitnt ion and thus induced many to enter the school Desiring to increase it's usefulness, the property in Huntsville was sold and 1S2 acres purchased at this point, which is
 meeting with success. All the industrial branches are taught, well as farming The president in speaking to a newspaper correspondent, said "I want our young men and women to educate their hearts, heads and hands. Their heart to serve God, their heads to grapple with the great issues in life, and their hands to earn an honest living. believe that they should be prepared for every emergency
 The faculty is composed of some of the best educated men and women of the coun- try, who are striving to make good citi- zens out of their people, and to show to
 the world that as the negro becomes edu- cated he Is less trouble, a better citizen and useful to the community In this d. rection President Councill has secured the service of some of the leading men and wo- | men Ol HIS race lO ueHNti lcNluicS to thC students, and a number of men and wo-
 men of the white race have also lectured to thea, giving them good, practical ad-
 vice for their betterment.
 During the past week, G. F. Richings, of
 Ohio, has lectured on the progress of
 the negro race, showing what they have
 accomplished since the war and the large
 number who are in business, holding posi-
 tions of honor and trust, thus inspiring
 the boys and girls to be thorough in their
 preparations.
 Prof. Councill has accomplished as much
 as any man in America for his race, and
 his life itself is an inspiration. He was
 born slave in North Carolina, and was
 sold at the famous slave market in Rich
 mond, Va, and brought to Alabama, where
 he has remained ever since. After the
 emancipat ton, he was soon in possession of
 school book and slate and attended school
 for a short time, but being old he soon
 found it necessary to leave school and go
 to work. He did not give up the idea of
 getting education, but spent his nights
 in study and secured the services of some
 of the best teachers to instruct him in
 private and had as his companion some
 of the best authors, that is instead of
 trying to keep up in society circles he re-
 mained at his home and read good books,
 thus becoming a master of English ltera-
 ture and learned the languages.
 By hard work Prof. Councll has become
 a leader of his people and is so respected
 today. He IS -Surrounded Dy friends ana
 honored by the people of the country on
 account of his ability. Thus year by year
 negroes are turned out from Normal who
 are competent to take hold of any kind
 of work.
 A newspaper correspondent from Chicago
 is at present visiting the school and deliv
 ering some lectures to the students on
 that art and writing up the institution for
 the papers of the metropolitan cities. He
 speaks in high terms of the work of the
 state for it's negro citizens, and speaks
 of Prof. Councll as a genius.