Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-06-23
Lecture on Hampton Institute.

Those interested in the training of the
negro and Indian along lines that promise
to make him a self-supporting citizen
gained much information from the pres
entation of the work being done al the
Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va, given
at the Congl vestry Friday evening by
Mr.. +. ID. Gleason, member OF the lnsti-
tute's teaching board. Mrs. Ladd, wife OF
the Congl pastor here, was for ten years
engaged in teaching at this institute, and
il was through her interest in the school 5
work that Mr. Gleason came to Randolph.
The lecturer was accompanied by an
Indian lad-a pupil at Hampton-who
spoke briefly OF the value 10 which his
race holds this school, and the special
benefit OF its instruction. Dressed IN
neat blue uniform, and using taultless
language, this young man demonstrated
that the work OF ciyilizing the red man
mas indeed progressed far. Following his
remarks, be operated the stereopticon
while Mr.. Gleason took up the subject In
detail.
A great many views were shown Illus
trating the common conditions OF the
reservation Indian and the southern negro,
as to their degraded home LIE, also, IN
contrast, the neat residences Of Hampton
trained men and women. photographs
'before and after taking" the instruction
there provided showed the remarkable
change In the "face illumined."
The conception OF the Hampton idea
came to Gen. Armstrong as the result OF
his experience while a boy among the
Sandwich Island Kanakas. After the
war, in which he commanded colored
troops. he was placed in charge OF freed
mems bureau at Hampton, Va, and the
outgrowth was the starting Of a small
school in some abandoned army hospital
buildings with total Of II pupils az the
outset So fast has it grown that now the
institute has about 1900 students and lOJ
instructors. II has fine set OF buildings,
/ equipments, etc. Booker T. Washington
/ Tuskegee school is as large as the parent
/ institute, its founder having been a grad
uate of Hampton and adopting its general
plan. The Mt. Meigs school in Alabama
conducted by a lady graduate Of Hamp-
ton, is also very tiourishing. Views were
shown OF all these and their rapid growth
fully brought out.
! The champion idean is that manual
training leads the lower races in the d.
rection they must first take in order &c
best promote their welfare. The ability
10 do common work and follow the ordi-
nary trades with skill is what will most
benefit the negro and Indian, According
Nv. while due attention is paid at Hamp-
ton TO mind and morals, the chief pur-
nose is to instruct in the vacations OF
everyday life-for the boy, in farming,
masonry, carpentry, blacksmithing, etc.
for the girl, in skillful homework, sewing
nursing, etc. Students are required 70
work hard at Hampton and when they
graduate are well fitted to take up some
self-supporting vocation with practical
experience behind them. The institute
has a plant embracing all the facilities
needful for this kind of instruction-plen-
Nv Of land to till, building to do, etc.
Results have justified this kind OF train
ing. The boys and girls have made nice
homes for themselves, and by showing
their disposition and ability to earn then
living have become respected and means
OF uplift to their races. The problem OF
elevating the negro and Indian is very
largely that OF changing the one-room
cabin or tepee for the modern civilized
home.
The Indians came to Hampton under
government auspices, and are only taken
when prepared in the government schools
They work diligently and harmoniousiy
at the institute, whose good offices are
seen in their after life.
AT the close of the lecture a collection
was taken to aid the institute work whicf
depends very largely on Northern oeneV'
Olence.