Year: 1874

EXTRACT FROM AN ADDRESS OF REV.


H. TUCKER TO THE GRADUATING


CLASS, KEAcHI FEMALE COLLEGE.


As the traveller from the wilderness
nears our village and observes the
new fence, the well-cultivated fields,
the neat residences, evident signs of
industry and comparitiveprosperity,h he
wonders what does all this mean in the
midst of surrounding depression and
an impoverished people? He is almost
as much surprised as wayfarer in the
desert would be to stumble suddenly
upon an oasis, with gushing fountains,
beautiful flowers and trees waving
their foliage to the freshening breeze.
He enters the village; he sees the
neat walls of your high school; be
hears the bell from the tower on your
commodious college building; and as
be passes on his way, he mus
es: understand now, l haye discov-
cred the secret: here is the heart
which sends out its life-sustaining
current on every side.


We must sustain our schools. be-
cause they give tone and expression
to society. On this point 1 will not
detain you. Without reference to
what has been done by your male
school, which is not a little, though
yet in its Infancy, will call your at
tention to what has been accomplish
ed by your college. In 1860 there
were three graduates /; in 1861 there
were six; in the class of 1862 there
were nine since the war there have
been ten graduates from this institu-
tion besides the present class. The
most of these have taken active posi-
tions in society around US. Eleven
of the twenty-eight have been success
fully engaged in teaching. Who
can estimate the influence, from these
fountains distilled through the various
ramifcations Of society giving tone to
social converse and character.


Our schools must be sustained-be-
cause we must educate. Our social
salvation depends upon it. There is
an element in our midst contending
for political supremacy and social
equality. And, what does social
equality mean? So far as you, my
audience, are concerned, it means de-
graduation. 1t does not mean to ele-
vate, but to level down. 1t does not
mean to refine and purify the base
metal, until clustered beside the ruby
and the diamond it shall reflect with
equal splendor and magnifcence
No! 1t means to turn the muddied
stream into the crystal lake. 1t means
to drop poison into the basin. 1t
means contamination, pollution and
social degradation. And yet. there
are those in our midst who consort
with this element on terms of social
intimacy. There are those who hold
secret meetings and midnight con-
clavcs with this element; whether
through ignorance or knavery, through
misguided love of pelf. or slippery,
slimy disposition by nature and train
ing, it is not for me to say. But ene
thing l do know, the social influence
of such is for the abasement and de-
graduation oftheir race. Does anyone
say, "How can you venture thus to
speak; you, who are a public servant,
dependent upon tho public for the
patronage and support of the institu-
tion which you have been chosen to
conduct ?" The answer brief would
be am not arraio u av who. I be
lieve to be my duty. When 1 look
upon my children, and upon your chill
dren. and in the history of Central
America and Jamaica, read their mis-
cradle future, ifthis pernicious policy
prevails, how can l refrain from speak
ing out? / tell you. sirs, my ghost
would look back in the bitter anguish
of regret, and my corpse turn restless
ly in its coffin were l to refrain from
uttering voice Of warning.


How can this influence be counter.
acted? We must educate, morally
and intellectually. knowledge is
power. The alternative left for US to
maintain our superiority. is by cult
waiting the intellect. We must edu.
cate and we must educate at home,
not abroad. Let the minds of our
children be trained and their charac-
ter formed under home influences and
home associations The mother