The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1917-09-07
THE WORK OF GEN.
| Csc. ARMSTRONG
FOUNDER OF THE GREAT
| HAMPTON INST.
FROM A SLAVE TO A GENERAL
A FIRM BELIEVER IN CHRIST
By Irwin S. uCrry.

In the small island of Hawaii, one
of Americas greatest citizens was
born, a babe who was to redeem
backward race, which had been in
the bonds of slavery for two centur-
les.
Gen. Armstrong grew strong and
steerdy for the great task that was
waiting for him. At the age of 20
Gen Armstrong came to Williams
College at Williamson, Mass He
struggled hard for the knowledge he
craved to receive. The generous
president fthe college no other than
President Mark Hopkins, helped him
in every way that opportunity could
afford.
After Gen. Armstrong graduated
from collog, tn war clouds began
to hover and he was at once appoint
ed commander of the 9th Regiment,
colored at Boston, Mass. The great
work that Dame Fortune had in
store for him began to blossom. After
the great American disaster of the
days of '61-65, new race was COM
ing in power, it was backward race,
it was not mentally efficient to stand
the test that was before it, and all
seemed to be a disaster to the eX-
slaves of America. They were doom.
ed. Yes doomed to destruction, nay,
not so, for as Christ saved the world
from sin, so the babe that was born
in the islands of Hawaii would save
the eager black race from destruc'
tion.
The broad mind of Samuel Chap
man Armstrong began to work, he
realized the fact that college educa
tion alone would do nothing to pre-
vent the fast coming disaster.
Gen Armstrong realized that in
dustrial education must be associat
ed with literary education, and in
the year 1867, the American mis-
sionary Association purchased this
campus known as Wood Farm and
temporary school buildings were
constructed at once and in the
year 1868 school was started with
fifteen ex-slaves as students with Gen
Armstrong as president, Americas
premier institution was thus begun.
After many years of grueling hard
, ships, the hero of the Negro race, NJ
other than DR.. Washington thirstine
after higher things presented him
self at Hampton, for admittance, he
was penniless, but nevertheless the
broad heart of Gen. Armstrong re
membered the days when he was
struggling for education and he gave
young Washington a chance and he
made we'll of it, after hard strug
gle and after graduation from Hamp
ton, DR.. Washington realized the con
ditions of his race in the black bel
of Alabama, 5000 was borrowed from
; Gen. Armstrong to make the first pay
ment on Tuskegee and in the veal
, 1881 school was started
The General took great interes
in Tuskegee until the year 1893 wheI
!, the whole nation was shocked by hi
death. DR.. Washington through hi!
. calm lamb-like expressions became ;
!, power among his people. | shall no
, name the great dee1s he has dont
: for they were planted like giant oal
trees in the minds OF men at his de
> mise.
The public can plainly see now
why industrial education is of valu,
. If the trade school has savel III,
: Negro from disaster, why not keel
> it?
Gen. Armstrong realized that w
must start at the bottom and climl
for as the General said, "After free
dom a public Office was sought NOR
e so than a home, we did not know
. trades" Since we are advancing
, please do not try to cast the trad
|. school on tn eside from which our ad
e vancement first began, and let II
2 keep the Generals watchword il
= sight.
I. Labor" said General Armstrong
next to the grace of God in the heart
= is the greatest promoter of morality
g the greatest power for civilization
Y Character is the out come of the labo
!, system. 1t is not cheap, but it pays.
l. Gen. Armstrong said, Let us pu
u God and Country first, and selve
n afterwards.