Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-08-25
A WORD ABOUT THE UNIvERs-
ITY.

We have received a circular from
Rev. DR.. NJ W Gilbert, chairman
OF the Educational Board Of the Ma
tional Baptist Convention in which
il is stated that the great Baptist
organization is TO establish a uni
versity at Nashville. Tennessee and
that the American Baptist Homo
Mission Society has agreed to give
$4,000 TO the enterprise on the
condition that the National Baptist
Convention raise $4,000.
We were astounded to know that
this proposition has met with the
approval OF some of the ablest Afro
American Baptists in the organiza-
ton. We confess that we cannot
fully understand some of our race
leaders. IL such an institution is
to be established. it should be on
an Independent basis. with no such
proviso in its organizing features.
The American Baptist Home Mission
Society is doine a grand work for
the race and il should be encouraged
fin so doing but it should not be inn
portuned ia aid us in doing work
that we should do for ourselves. II
great national body composed of
more than one thousand bona-hde
delegates cannot raise ten thousand
dollars for the asking. # should go
out of business and confne its efforts
to meeting in annual session ana
continue it's efforts along previous
religious and missionary lines.
To our mind. it is the height of
folly to begin a great national uni
versity with $4,000. when half
million dollars viii be a modest sum
to accomplish the purpose. Here
we have the Virginia Union Univers-
ity in this city. with it's granite
buildings. fitted up and able to ac-
commodate all of the students that.
the National Baptist Convention
can send 60 g.. and admirably man
aged for the aforesaid purpose.
Why not be equally as charitable
and offer 90 give the American Bap-
4, list Home Mission Society ten thous
and dollars FOR it's maintenance and
expect therefor certain rights and
privileges. instead of beginning an
institution that is destined TO be a
dwarf from the beginning and a
Baptist ''What is &C." before It's end?
, There are certainly enough educa-
tional institutions of this kind and
the multiplication of them upon
half rations viii tend TO DO more to
, injure the National Baptist Con-
vention than anything else.
II the convention Is not able TO
run its own school. without the aid
of the American Baptist Home Mis-
, sion Society, it should abandon the
project and support the institu-
lions of that Society in various sec
tons OF the country. II it is able.
it should put up fund of one hun
dred thousand dollars without the
aid of anyone and found a school
q" sNN'A Aot't WIN AAoQtln lutdS
and demonstrate for once and all
the capablity. tact and business
management OF the Negroes. Sun
the plan has been consummated and
while we are OF the opinion that a
blunder has been made, and that il
, will be emphasized by the events Of
, coming years, we feel that the able
divines have done what they thought
best and that their Judgment will
be found 20 be another one OF those
. monumental mistakes for which
the race seems to be noted.
To accept this money is to virtual
ly admit our inability to support.
and officer this school. In the face
OF this acknowledgements. 1t is best
to support the best school OF the
American Baptist Home Mission So
ciety. This is the one at Richmond
and the ten thousand dollars and
the students sent here will do more
good than the thirty thousand dol
lars spent elsewhere. The Virginia
Union University needs students
and money and the loyal support of
every Negro Baptist in the United
States.