South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-06
NEGRO EDUCATOR
PLEADS FOR HELP
Or. Vernon, Head of Campbell
College, Talks on "The Man
and the State" at K. P. Hall.
Advantages Are Lacking.

The Man and the State" was the
subject OF an address by Or. William
T. Vernon, former registrar Of the
United States treasury and a promi-
nent Negro orator, which was given
at the colored X. Of Z. hall on " Main
st last night DR. Vernon was
brought 20 South Bend under the
auspices OF the Olivet A. VI. f. church
OF which Rev. @. Emery Allen is pas
tor. In addition 20 the address of DR..
Vernon the program consisted OF Sc
lectiOns by an orchestra and a solo
by Mrs. Emma Hines.
Or. Vernon spoke in part as follows:
DIR. Vernon's Address.
THE wisest craftsmanship has long
since concluded that education for all
people IN the American republic is by
far the surest guarantee OF the pros
perity and progress Of the American
republic. Self-interest alone would
argue that all elements Of our citizen
ship should know the advantages of
education. AS a result Of the same,
men are taught TO be aspiring, patri-
otto and useful and to contribute to
the forward movement Of their coun-
try's progress.
1.-THE idea Of the useful In education
IS being especially emphasized at this
time. For this reason philanthrOpists
are giving TO the cause Of Christian
education as never before. There is,
however, a broader view to be taken
as relates to this situation, and that
IS the altruistic phase which causes
every man TO realize that indeed lie is
his brothers keeper.
Our hearts have been stirred with
stories OF charity and generosity and
large hearted sympathy for the afflict-
ed people Of the war-stricken coUn-
tries Of Europe, and at this particular
season when mems thoughts are cen
tered on the lessons and principles OF
the Nazarene, more and more is the
golden rule coming TO be in vogue in
this our great Christian nation. But
/ have come TO talk TO you of the con-
ditions confronting my people south
of the Mason and Dixon line.
Here, because Of slavery Of two
and a half centuries, we find the con-
ditions that only can be remedied by
the largest sympathy, sacrifice and de-
votion of those of our people more
fortunate. In the state of Mississippi,
where 1 now labor. 10000 cOlored
children of school age have only the
semblance of real educational advan-
tages.
No High school for Negroes.
Probably not more than 30 per
cent Of these are in schools of an in
different variety, continuing not more
than four or five months during the
year.
There IS not a real high school in
the state of Mississippi for the educa-
ton Of colored youths. 1t is because
of this condition that the various de-
nominations, regardless of race. are
striving to foster colleges and acade-
mics for the education Of our people.
At Campbell college, we have 400 boys
and girls, who have come to us from
the plantations and towns Of the state.
These are IN need OF assistance. Our
teachers work at a sacrifice in order
that the weight OF ignorance may be
lifted from the race.
Some years ago friendly disposed
whites Of the north gave TO our insti-
tuition a tract of land in the delta.
Here we find more untOwardness than
in any section OF the state. We have
in mind TO establish a branch agricul-
tural school on this land. the purpose
being to erect a modest building at
the least possible cost. and gather III
the colonel boys and allow them TO
work for their education during the
day and attend school at night
These are to be given the right idea
of life, 50 be taught the large SYM
pathy for their fellow men, and finally
TO be sent back to take up the work OF
educating and lifting their fellows
With this end in view, at the request
of the trustees Of our institution, we
have come forth TO make this appeal
LAS in the past. we are dependent
upon the generosity and friendship OF
the white people OF this country who
during the past 80 years have been
giving monies and even their lives tc
better the condition of the colored
people of the south.
Ignorance il Dead Weight.
"I have seen samples of devotion
and conservation on the part of teach
ers sent south by the leading white
denominations that were most heroic
Some of these have lived for years
among our people. giving all there wa:
I'm them 10 better their conditions. II
is because we have faith in the splen-
did spirit Of our friends. because OF
the fact that Christian education IS
the only solution 10 our southern
problem. that / have come to YOU
Education is the best safeguard of the
state. Ii will make the cOlOred mar
n better citizen a better neighbOr anC
more law-abiding. Ignorance is Sc
much dead weight and forever VII
mean more jails, more penltentarle'
and more reform schools, The bettel
elements of both races in the south
land viii understand each other better
i'm prOpOrtion 20 the education re
ceived. As men are educated they vii
understand their rights and duties
and the state as a result OF this vii
see a more glorious day and Amerlcs
more and more VIII stand as the idea
government throughout the civilized
world
THE AMERICAN TRUST COM