Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-08-31

w
issue paper on the famous Tuskegee
Normal Institute Of Tuskegee, Ala,
written by Mr.. Nj. B. Thrasher and
published in Appleton's Popular
Science Monthly for September. 1t
gives splendid pen picture of this
famous institution for the practical
education Of colored youth, and Of Its
talented and energetic founder, and
details the admirable lines upon which
the work of tho institute is conducted.
We regret that We cannot also repro
duce the zine and expressive illustra-
tions with which the article is embel-
lished in the pages Of tho Popular
Science Monthly.
Booker I. Washington, the brainy
! and progressive founder and head OF
the Tuskegee Normal Institute, is, in
oil respects, the greatest living exemp-
lar Of the American negro. Born q
slave, achieving ON education by his
own energy and persistence, no has con-
ceiyed and executed scheme that is
doing more than any other agency
towards settling what is termed the
NEGRO problem In the South" He is
reaching out among q people whose
greatest curse is idlcnsss and ignorance,
and educating thoir representatives SO
that tho latter may become teachers
and engage in the great work OF con-
vertipg the negroes Of the South into
good citizens and skilled workers.
How his work has progressed is shown
by the paper Of Mr.. Thrasher, which
traces the Tuskegee Institute from o
modest little school Of about 30 pupils
and two instructors, TO Its present d.
mansions of 80 well-appointed build
ings and over 1000 students And the
wonder Of the recital is that most Of
these buildings were erected by
students of the institution, who were
instructed in the building trades and
then set TO work in the practical exer.
else of their knowledge.
The good that this institution is ac.
complishing is demonstrated by the
fact that each year it is graduating
teachers who go into other sections o.
the South, and there apply themselves
to the noble work of instructing othe
colorsd boys and girls in the sole
branches OF the handicraft Of human
existence These teachers, we'll trainet
and experienced, are converting ths col
or ed youth Of the South into good me
chanics, good cooks, good seamstresses
good hpusekeepers, good farmers AM
planters, and thus fitting them to be
! come industrious men and women, an
consequently, good citizens. The field
: peculiarly fitted to the work, for
: strange as 1t may seem, it is only !
the South that the opportunity is give
0 to eolored men to work at the mechani
4 cal trades. In the South, the coiore
n machinist, blacksmith, engineer, fire
d man, carpenter, or other artisan ca
r readily obtain employment at his trade
b In the North, where he hos SO man
n loud;professing friends, the door OF th
o workshop is almost completely close
J, to him, unless he accepts employmer
IS in some mental capacity.
The Tuskegee Institute receives OF
'- from the local government, and outs,t
T. contributions, and philanthropic pc
10 pie of means can find no more worth
" object of their benevolences. III
ID straits to which Prof. Washington hi
is been forced at times, in order to ket
10 things running, are limited at in NJ
il Thrssher's paper. The man who wi
le pawn his gold watch in order to mai
I'd tain some function of his school, is II
man who ought to be encouraged, f
to he demonstrates that he is not workii
!" for personal gain, but for the adyanc
no ment Of good cause. Anything do
in in aid of The Tuskegee Institute is
IN contribution towards the support of
is splendid institution, and one In char
n Of president who has not only demo
I'D strated his capacity and ezecuti
ITS ability, but has developed the highe
ur conception of what is needed to raj
ot the negro of the South from the conc
lst ton 10 which he was left after cent?
e. les Of slavery, oppression and neglect