The age-herald., 1899-03-12
PROF. ooUNc1LL's GREAT WORK
Agr1cultural and Mechanical College tor Negroes at Normal Credit to Alabama.
To the Editor of the Age-Herald.

 To the Editor of the Age-Herald.
 Huntsville, March 11.-(Special.)- )-One must visit the Colored Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama at Normal in order to fully appreciate the daily ef- forts to lift the negro race to pure and higher level.
 To the credit of Alabama, be 1t said that she has always substantially encouraged the mental moral and material develop ment of the emancipated race. When free- dom came to the negro he was ignorant and prone to follow idol gods. Prof. Will liam H. Councill, one of the most intei- gent, remarkable and successful colored men of the age soon saw that the best in- terest of his people should be blended into the best interests of both races. At the risk of life, he fought shoulder to shoulder with the manhood and intelligence of Ala bama for the election of Governor George S. Houston and since the redemption of the state he has been a high private in the z IdnKs of the conservative and progressive powers of the state. He counts among his personal friends Senators Morgan and Pet tus, General Wheeler, Governor Johnston and some of the best brain and blood in Alabama.
 The friendship of the best white people did not swell Prof. Councilfs head. He was anxious to be of service to his race on educational as well as political lines. He is the father of industrial education among negroes in the south In 1857 the honorable commissioner of education for the United States published to the word his masterly address on Industrial Train ing in the South" His ideas prevailed and the work of industrial training for negroes was established at Huntsville and after wards removed four miles away at Normal In order to have more land for this great institution. In 1891 the legisla ture of Ala bama made this institution the beneficiary of the fund granted by act of congress approved August 30, 1890, ito the more com plete endowment and support of the col leges for the benefit of agriculture and mechanic arts"
 The college is situated among the out lying spurs of the Cumberland mountains nearly 1,50O feet above the level of the sea- Normal has two railway stations. The southern and the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis. It also has ticket and ex- press office, one store and a United States weather bureau station Normal is a beau- tlrul Village and is a veritable beehive of negro industry, progress and harmony.
 Normal graduates are scattered all over the country. They make good citizens and are the pride of any community. They are taught to love God and law and order and to leave in peace and harmony with every people. Race prejudice and hatred find no resting place at Normal The General suc- cess of any institution depends upon the ability and character of its chief executive. Professor Councill is a model negro man, scholar and orator and he is surrounded by high class of teachers, who are a great factor in the success of the school Life at Normal is full of purity and moral and intellectual growth. Normal makes men and women of the highest type
 Three years ago this institution became known by an act of the legislature of Ala bama as the Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes at Normal, Alabama" This necessitated the addition of a four years course in college work For higher training Normal equals any negro school south of Washington city. In the indus trial department the following arts and trades are taught Agriculture, carpentry, iron-working, shoemaking, printing. cook ing, laundering, nurse-training, cutting and sewing, art painting, stereography and in- etrumental music. While Professor Coun- Gill encourages young men who wish to take law or medicine, yet his main idea Is that the race can best lay a solid foundation for character and wealth by mastering good trades He Is not one-idead man. He has multitude of thoughts and ideas. He is of the most practical of men, and his individuality shows itself in his 
 taken an interest in Normal. The three commissioners of the college representing Alabama are: Hon. A. s. Fletcher, chair man; Hons. s. J. Mayhew and Daniel Coleman. MessrS. Fletcher and Mayhew are prominent in church, business and ed- ucational circles in Huntsville, and MT. Coleman is of the most distinguished lawyers in north Alabama. All of the white people in Huntsyilletake pride and interest in the college. There is no race lla Inc lnaC of the best men of both races predominate. Professor Councill's great work is credit alike to the state and to the negro race. He is a wonderful character; born a slave fifty years ago, and today the peer of some of the best men of the land. God and time, through men like Professor Coun- cill, are lifting the negro to higher spheres and are bringing about better feeling be- tween the sons of Japeth and Ham.
 DAVID w. PARKER.