The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-03-28

The success of the Calhoun Colored
school of Alabama is due to the har-
monious cooperation of four elements
in the teaching force, the southern
white, the northern white, the southern
negro and the northern negro. These
elements are the more significant In a
school which has thus far been of
moderate size, and which, located in
white, the northern white, the southern
~ern-central Alabama, is distant from
the centers of southern education.
This educational cooperation seems
natural and inevitable. There is no
loss in the spirit of racial integrity,
but a salutary race consciousness is
inspired. No danger is evident, either
to cultural Inheritance or to normal
development. In the broad field of
negro education excellent results are
achieved where either white or colored
educators work alone. But peculiar
effectiveness, indispensable for some
phases of the work, is gained where
all the available forces work together.
The white leadership on this CO
operation needs to be of exceptional
quality. Social experience is required
for relations which are not in them
selves difficult, but which might be-
come so without the social art. Neces-
sary qualities for the white educators
in this united labor are professional
accomplishments, critical apprecia-
ton of those for whom they labor, pa
Ptient faith In them, and a broad and
deep religious life, To these qualities
the colored participants in the work
are responsive. The names, careers
and associations Of the white work
ers at Calhoun would surprise those
who have not learned that the best
service attracts the best servants,
without thought of reward outside the
service.
The increasing cooperation of the
finest southerners In the education
and uplifting of the negro is one Of
the most significant movements in
our country. But this power needs
to be still more aligned with the
others. The presence of a representa-
tive southern gentleman In the work
ing force Of Calhoun is one of the
most noted contributions to negro
education. The inevitably rapid
growth Of the school includes the en-
largement, already planned. of this
element.
Mr.. E. 3. Chestnut has for his spe-
cial task the oversight of the business
affairs and agricultural methods Of
the colored owners Of the thousands
OF acres which the school and he have
given them opportunity to acquire.
The intimate knowledge, tact, author
ity and enthusiasm Of a representa-
tive of his class have been devoted to
the task which has given Calhoun its
finest success and chief distinction.
An expert a~griculturist, a successful
man of affairs, he is an invaluable
counselor, guide and friend to these
steadily ascending people. With the
unfailing sgentleness which comes Of
intimate comprehension, he knows
also how to be unsparing in warning
and rebuke, and, when necessary, un-
s~wervingly severe In action. He is
beloved by every one he works with
or works for. The characteristics Of
the finest type of southerner are en-
phasized in this service. Neither his
social nor his political influence has
been affected u~nfavorably. Excep-
tional qualities are, indeed, requisite
for such pioneering; but more ordinary
men may follow the path marked by a
great soul.