The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-24
STRIKE OF NEGRO STUDENTS
 BECAUSE OF A WHITE MAN


 through. I take the responsibility of speaking for the trustees and TOT tHe Association @to inform you and them through you, that you give them ops, portunity to consider their action aii9 to prove .nir loyalty to their race anu to the Christianity which we endeaNol to teahc and live, by puttink aside sueh prejudices and conforming to the re- quirements of the College, l believe that those who cannot make up tnsir minds to ado this will prove unhappy and not very useful factors in tne up- lifting of their race In the time to
 Yours sincerely,
 "A r. BeardF
 The following also was sent by Rev. =. January 19.
 "A. C. Randall and others, Talla-
 dega College. Talladega, Alabama. Dear Brethren :--Y Our communication on employing a Southern white man to assist the Superintendent or Agri- culture. is received. Let me saH lnat I have had in twenty years experlence with our higher institutions and other schools several opportunities to witness very unfortunate results when the stu dents of a school have undertaksns from some real or imagined trounle, the discipline of an institution, or ot the teachers, when there were different opinions
 The time has not come when we are willing to say that Southern white man shall not teach in our institutions. We know of many whom we would De glad to engage in our work. We stand as strongly as anyone Tor mannood rights and manhood culture, and II teacher should prove recreant to man hood rights and manhood culture, that would be.a question for the faculty to handle by itself But protest ot one retention in an institution in any form of, official character. simrly because he is a Southern white man and In ad- vance of any improper conduct or treatment on his part, does not appeal to our sense of justice or Christianity.
 We believe that If we should take the position indicated in your corres- pondence that 1t would hurt the colored people and their interests among our constituents irreparablY. You are aware. perhaps, that through the con stant iteration of unfavorable reports there has been a wonderful reaction of felfng with respect to the Negro people throughout the Northern States. Ii ls far. mere difficult to find sympathy in the North than it used to be, and far mere difficult to raise funds to carry on the work of colored institutions To sustain such q position as you have taken. which would 20 through the entire North. would increase the pre- judice against the colored people. It would be said that your prejudice was greater and more unreasonable than their own, We are confident, therefore. when ycu look upon this In the larger light of race interest, which includes your own, that you will postpone any personal views that you may have and reassure yourselves that the institution. | it's faculty and the Association which stands behind them. are worthy of your confidence .;-
 Tt is something for you to remember | that after years of endeavor to find a | President who is both capable and will | ling to take the direction of the insti- l tuition, young man who was willing | to leave position of great influence and | honor,sto work among the colored peo- f pie. He Is now your President. He | has Solir confidence. He has won, to a | remarkable degree. the confidence of ! the people in the North where he has | beeh. He is worthy of your confidence.
 We trust that you will sustain him | with it. z and in future years you will | go back to this institution with grat- | itude toward. him and the faculty. | s"We. wish you every good wish, and, as friends who have stood for all that is high and noble, for all that is true l and hopeful, for the coiored people, in ' the long years gone by we cannot be- 1 lieve that we shall be disappointed now | in your action. It would imperil much more than the interest of Talladega ! College for Us to. sustain your conten- | tion. '. E, -sAs. Yours sincerely,
 | .-s 'st- ftz k..sA F. Beard ."
 Not satisfied with the decision of the | faculty and the suggestion of the New l York office, a large number of the stu | dents thrreupon, voted to sever their | connection with the college.
 | More students left the college today. | Mir Parks vet remains at the college i and, the officers are determined to keep ! him there If it brealSs'sup the school