WORK OF THE HAMPTON INSTITUTE

WORK OF THE HAMPTON INSTITUTETold at the 35th Anniversary Exercises of that Splendid Seat of LearningBy E. Jay EssWritten for Alexander’s Magazine

Told at the 35th Anniversary Exercises of that Splendid Seat of Learning

By E. Jay Ess

Written for Alexander’s Magazine

Hampton Institute, Va., May 3rd, 1905.—This has been anniversary week at Hampton Institute. The spirit of Armstrong—the courageous and strong—has been all about and in everything. The famous Ogden Party headed by Dr. Robert C. Ogden, trustee of Hampton and of Tuskegee, has been in attendance and has given to the occasion an importance of overwhelming interest.

DR. H. B. FRISSELL

DR. H. B. FRISSELL

DR. H. B. FRISSELL

First of all the weather has been perfect. Everything whether of exhibit or address has been in perfect good taste and the 35th anniversary exercises have been voted the most successful in the history of the school—made so in large part because of the presence upon Hampton’s grounds of her most famous and eloquent son, Dr. Booker T. Washington, who delivered the principal address upon both days—“Virginia Day,” May 2, when nearly 300 White Virginians from Richmond attended in a body—and upon Wednesday, May 3, when the anniversary exercises proper were held. He has been lionized wherever he has gone and has been as cordially sought after by banker, prelate, educator and what not, as by those who are students or have been students of Hampton.

A report of Tuesday’s exercises may be interesting:

The spacious room was handsomely decorated with flags and bunting. The exercises were of an exceptionally interesting character, the opening service being followed by plantation songs from the chorus of Negro and Indian students of the school. J. Enoch Blanton, a member of the class of 1905 in agriculture, read an essay on “Changed Ideas of Farming.” Francis E. Bolling, a graduate of the class of 1905, in domestic science spoke of “What Hampton Has Meant to Me,” paying a glowing tribute to his Alma Mater. Dr. John Graham Brooks of Harvard University, spoke on the “Fruits of Hampton.” He said that as the race problem is probably the hardest with which the world has to deal, and one of which we are the most profoundly ignorant, he would avoid the big and keep near the little. “One of the truest things about Hampton,” he said, “is that she is findingout her own business, the real business of Hampton is to learn how a race can be disciplined into independence and how success is to be won. In this Hampton succeeds admirably.”

Dr. Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute was then introduced and received a splendid ovation. After Doctor Washington’s address, President Boatwright of Richmond College spoke on “The Educational Problem,” in which he paid a glowing tribute to the work of the Hampton Institute. Dr. R. E. Blackwell of Randolph-Macon College followed and spoke of the misgiving with which Southern men approach the problem of education, and expressed the opinion that if respect and co-operation between the races is to be restored, it must be through such institutions as Hampton and Tuskegee. Dr. Robert C. Ogden made a few remarks in which he gave a hearty welcome to the guests present. He also paid a very high tribute to Doctor Frissell, whom he said, was the real founder of the Conference for Education in the South. He briefly reviewed the work in the institution and spoke of the American fellowship existing between Massachusetts and Virginia, of Boston and Richmond which binds the hearts of all together.

HUNTINGTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY

HUNTINGTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY

HUNTINGTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY

On Wednesday representatives of the several classes spoke most acceptably after which Dr. Robert C. Ogden, president of the Hampton board of trustees, presented the diplomas and trade certificates to the young men and women of the several academic and industrial departments. Of these 13 were awarded to post-graduates, 23 to members of the senior class, and 45 trade certificates to those who had finished trades. After this ceremony Dr. Booker T. Washington again spoke. He said in part:

“When I was a student at this institution I was taught that Ponce de Leon spent years in search of a fountain of perpetual youth. In my opinion there is no spot in America where one can more nearly renew his youth and strengthen his faith in the wisdom and perpetuity of our institutions than at Hampton.

“To the students who are to go out from the Hampton institute today to begin what I hope are to be careers of usefulness, I wish to say: I hope that you will learn to be even tempered, self-controlled and hopeful. You will find many conditions that will try your soul, but the test of Hampton’s training will be shown by the ability with which you are able to choose the fundamental things in life and stick to them and not become discouraged because of the temporary and non-essential. The great thing is for you to conduct yourselves so as to become worthy of the privileges of an American citizen and these privileges will come. I hope you will not yield to the temptation of becoming grumblers and whiners, but will hold up your head and march bravely forward, meeting manfully and sensibly all the problems that may confront you. Placeemphasis upon your opportunities rather than upon your disadvantages; place emphasis upon achievement rather than upon the injustices to which you will be subjected. As you go out into the world you may expect rebuffs, sometimes insults, opposition, injustice. You will meet with race prejudice in many forms, but if you are true to Hampton and its traditions you will meet and overcome all of these conditions with a calm and patient spirit.

VIRGINIA AND CLEVELAND HALLS

VIRGINIA AND CLEVELAND HALLS

VIRGINIA AND CLEVELAND HALLS

“No one can degrade you; you, yourselves, are the only individuals who can inflict that punishment. I hope that you will pursue the policy of making yourself so indispensably useful in every community into which you go that the members of that community, black and white, will feel that they cannot dispense with your services. The race that goes quietly and contentedly on doing things day by day will reap its reward. It often requires more courage to suffer in silence than to retaliate; more courage not to strike back than to strike; more courage to be silent than to speak. We must not permit ourselves to harbor the belief that our friends among the white people in the south are disappearing. If we pursue the sensible and conservative course, the number of such friends will multiply. There are great opportunities for us here in the south in education, industry, business and the professions. The race that gets most out of the soil, out of the wood, out of the kitchen, out of the school room, the doctor’s office or the pulpit, is the race that is going to succeed regardless of all obstacles.”

The signal tribute to Dr. Frissell was received with every manifestation of pride on the part of the students and alumni, and of gratification upon the part of Dr. Frissell himself, the board of trustees and the distinguished visitors present. Some of those who have been here as members of Mr. Ogden’s party and as guests of Hampton and friends of Negro Education—many of whom have spoken during the two days stay—are: Dr. John Graham Brooks, Cambridge, Mass.; Dr. Wallace Buttrick, executive secretary of the General Education Board, New York; Mr. E. H. Clement, editor Evening Transcript, Boston; Dr. A. S. Draper, State Committee of Education, New York; Rev. Paul Revere Frothingham, Boston; Mr. Frederick T. Gates, confidential secretary to Mr. John D. Rockefeller; Hon. Seth Low, New York; Dr. St. Clair McKelway of the Brooklyn Eagle; Mr. W. R. Moody, East Northfield, Mass.; Mr. Robert Treat Paine, Boston; Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Thorpe, Cambridge, Mass.; Dr. F. G. Peabody, Cambridge, Mass.; Mr. Geo. Foster Peabody, New York and a great number of others—some 95 in all—many with their wives.

A great number of prominent Colored persons have also been present,including Hon. Harry S. Cummings of Baltimore; Rev. M. J. Naylor of Baltimore; Mr. Emmett J. Scott, secretary to Dr. Booker T. Washington and many others.

MEMORIAL CHAPEL, HAMPTON INSTITUTE

MEMORIAL CHAPEL, HAMPTON INSTITUTE

MEMORIAL CHAPEL, HAMPTON INSTITUTE

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