Chapter VI.

THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF FREEDMEN.

Besides what has been done by the State in the Southern University, already described, the following are the more important agencies that serve this end:

LELAND UNIVERSITY.*

Leland University owes its existence to the consecrated beneficence of Holbrook Chamberlain, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who went to New Orleans in 1870, purchased the site, consisting of 4 squares of ground fronting on St. Charles avenue, containing about 9 acres, and effected an organization of a board of trustees, whose first act of incorporation is dated March 26, 1870. The first trustees were Holbrook Chamberlain, E. E. L. Taylor, Seymour Straight, Charles Satchell, James B. Simmons, Thomas W. Conway, Esau Carter, Jay S. Backus, Hiram Hutchins, Richard De Baptist, Nathan Brown, William Howe, and Leonard Grimes. Deacon Chamberlain accepted the position of treasurer and occupied it until his death, which occurred in 1883, giving personal attention to the financial interest of the university and contributing liberally to its support. In this he was assisted by the United States Government, through the Freedman's Bureau, which appropriated $17,500 toward the first building, and by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, which appropriated $12,500 toward the purchase of the ground. In addition to this the society donated to the trustees, for school purposes, during the years 1874 to 1886, various sums, averaging over $3,000 annually. During two of these years (1884, 1885) the society, by special arrangement, assumed the entire support of the teachers, paying over $4,000 each year-in 1884, $7,544, less $3,468 received from tuition, donations, etc., and in 1885, $7,871, less $3,371 received.

In 1873 a large 3-story brick building, with Mansard roof, 100 feet long and 80 feet wide, was erected upon St. Charles avenue. In 1881 the new dormitory for girls was commenced. This also was of brick,

*This sketch has been furnished the writer by the president, Rev. E. C. Mitchell, D. D., for fifteen years professor of biblical interpretation in Baptist theological schools at Alton and Chicago, Ill., and, more recently, president of a theological school in Paris, France.

3 stories high, 100 by 50 feet, with a large basement devoted to laundry and boarding purposes. This building was completed in the fall of 1884 at a cost of about $25,000.

The university was named by the founder in honor of his wife, who was a direct descendant of Elder John Leland, of Cheshire, Mass. Mrs. Chamberlain died before her husband. When he had finished his earthly work, it was found that in his will the bulk of his property, amounting to about $100,000, had been left as an endowment. fund for the support of the institution to whose interests he had devoted much of the later years of his honorable and useful life. A memorandum in the jubilee volume (1882) of the American Baptist Home Mission Society (p. 36) estimates the aggregate of his gifts to the institution during his lifetime at $65,000, and adds:

With rare devotion and self-forgetfulness, he has for years lived for this object, putting time, talents, and possessions into the Christ-like service of lifting the lowly up into a higher life.

Although the institution was founded with a broad view to higher education, and therefore provided with a university charter similar in general features to that of American universities, yet, being at the same time, by its charter, open to all without distinction of sex or color, its first work in that locality was necessarily confined chiefly to the education of descendants of the colored race. The beginning of its internal work, therefore, was humble and primitive. The school, at first a primary grade, gradually advanced to grammar and to high-school instruction, and for some years chiefly provided for the preparation of teachers to supply the needs of public and private schools then springing up in all the Southern States. The first principal was the Rev. William Rollinson, of New Jersey, who taught until October, 1872, and who was succeeded by Rev. S. B. Gregory, who died in 1873. Rev. S. B. Barker, his associate in instruction, took charge until 1876, when he was succeeded by Rev. Marsena Stone, D. D. In 1878, Rev. S. J. Axtell was appointed president. His successor was Rev. J. S. Morton, who entered upon duty October 1, 1881, ex-President Axtell being appointed to the department of biblical instruction. In 1882, Rev. H. R. Traver, of Saratoga, N. Y., took charge of the institution, remaining in office until 1886. After an interim of one year the present faculty were appointed.

Since that period important changes have taken place, not only in the course of instruction, but in the organization of the institution. It having become evident that the time had arrived for the university to perform its proper work of higher education, the standard of admission to the classes was raised, so as to eliminate the lower grades and relegate the work of primary instruction to preparatory schools. Full normal and college work is now being performed in all departments. For the further enlargement of the scope of the university a new charter was obtained in 1891, more than doubling the number of trustees,

removing the limitations of its vested funds, and securing greater strength in the personality and power of its members, North and South. A system of affiliated schools was inaugurated by which the faculty of the university could exercise control over the preparatory course of study in secondary institutions established at important centers outside of New Orleans. The conditions under which these

schools are admitted to the auxiliary relation are as follows:

1. That a property fairly valued at $2,000 shall be provided by the trustees and kept in repair by them, with taxes, insurance, and incidental expenses paid.

2. That the tuition, to the amount of at least $1 per month for each pupil, be reported and paid to the university before the 15th of each school month.

3. That the course of study prepared by the Leland faculty for use in preparatory schools (or "Leland academies ") be adopted by the school with such textbooks as are from time to time prescribed.

4. The teachers of the school are to be appointed by us in consultation with the trustees of the school, and their names will appear as members of our faculty. Their salaries are to be paid by the university on terms which may be agreed upon, to be adjusted with reference to the apparent needs and probable income of the school.

5. Graduates of the school will be received into the regular normal classes of the university without examination. The best scholar in each graduating class will receive from the university a prize of $1 per month deducted from his first term bill, and the second best scholar will receive a prize of 50 cents per month in the same way.

The courses of study are as follows:

NORMAL.

Junior year.-First term, algebra, rhetoric, physiology; second term, algebra, physical geography, physics.

Middle year.-First term, algebra, Latin, physics; second term, algebra, Latin, chemistry.

Senior year.-First term, geometry, Latin, civil government; second term, geometry, Latin, laws and practice of teaching.

COLLEGIATE.

Junior and middle years identical with normal.
Senior year.-Geometry, Latin, Greek.

COLLEGE COURSE.

Freshman year.—Latin, Greek, geometry, trigonometry.

Sophomore year.-Latin, Greek, analytical geometry, physics.

Junior year.-Rhetoric, logic, English literature, Greek, physics, physiology, astronomy.

Senior year.-Psychology, moral science, Christian evidences, history of civilization, political economy, chemistry, geology.

THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

Junior year.—Biblical introduction and history, evidences of Christianity and Biblical interpretation.

Middle year.-Biblical geography and archæology, Biblical interpretation, theology, church history, sermonizing.

Senior year.-Biblical interpretation, pastoral theology, sacred rhetoric, church polity.

STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.*

It became evident very early that New Orleans was an important point at which to establish an educational institution for the colored people.

Prominent among those interesting themselves in the matter was Hon. Seymour Straight, then engaged in the produce business in this city, now of Hudson, Ohio. Hon. Edward Heath, Mr. Charles Heath, and others were its warm advocates.

The United States Government was appealed to, and a building was erected on the corner of Esplanade and Burgundy streets, the ground being the property of the American Missionary Association, and the school was to be under their control.

As Mr. Straight was by far the largest contributor, it was in his honor named "Straight University." He has always been the firm friend and constant benefactor of the institution. The institution received her charter from the State legislature, granting her all the rights of establishing technical departments, granting degrees, etc., in 1869, and the new building was dedicated in February, 1870.

The notion that education would somehow lift them into a higher and better life seemed to take at once a strong hold on the minds of these people, and they flocked to this and other schools, literally by thousands. Few of them had any fair conception of what a school was, and many only remained a few days, others coming in to fill their places, and with this irregularity little, comparatively, in the way of thorough instruction could be given.

But things constantly improved, and soon a more perfect organization was effected. Great good was accomplished notwithstanding all the drawbacks, and thousands who to-day are occupying prominent. positions as preachers, teachers, merchants, and farmers look back with grateful remembrance to the time they spent at "The Straights" or “The Universe," as many of them still call it.

In 1877 the building on Esplanade street was destroyed by fire, and with it much that would aid in compiling its history, as well as a valuable library, the gift of Northern friends. School was held for some months in Central Church, on Liberty street, but without delay a piece of ground was selected on Canal street, its present site, and the university building erected and dedicated October 1, 1878.

In 1881 Mrs. Valina G. Stone, of Malden, Mass., gave $25,000, with which an additional half square of land was purchased, and Stone Hall, a beautiful and convenient building three stories high, 100 feet front on Canal street, and with wing 190 feet on Rocheblave, was erected. This is now occupied as the teachers' home and girls' dormitory.

* Account furnished by Rev. R. C. Hitchcock, A. M., president.