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32   ABBOTT'S MONTHLY

not lacking in those qualities and elements that make red blooded Americans rise to the exigencies of the occasion.  His modesty, his dignity, and his knowledge of human nature served him well in this new field of endeavor and the records of the Senate assure us that he was a real senator from the very day he assumed the duties of the office to the day he laid them down.  An old scrapbook made by him self is filled with clippings from the leading daily and weekly papers and likewise the prominent periodicals of that day and time which show the amount of concern and thought the election of a Negro to the United States Senate was given by serious thinking people throughout the civilized world.

WHILE he was careful not to infringe upon the unwritten custom laid down for new Senators, too hastily rushing into Senatorial debates, yet he was exceedingly active in committee work and filled a great many speaking engagements before associations, clubs and the like in neighboring cities, justifying the Lincoln emancipation of the Negro.

Among his chief accomplishments in the Senate was the pushing to a successful passage the District School Bill for Washington, D. C., which established free schools therein and specifically provided equal privileges for colored children. His support of the Amnesty Bill was mildly criticized by radical Republicans, but made for him many friends throughout the entire country. Critical historians still holds it a master diplomatic stroke. With no intention of making of this a complete historic résumé of his labors and activities in the Senate, it is a well recognized fact that he acquitted himself with marked ability.

Prior to the expiration of his term as senator, President Grant offered him flattering Federal appointments, which would have continued him in the public eye, but all of these he declined with thanks and expressed the desire and intention of returning to Mississippi, where he could help in the uplift work of his colored brethren. On learning of his inclinations, Governor Alcorn worse him to the effect that, "I desire you to come home and consider with me, the Governor, the advisability of establishing a training school for colored youths." This offer was highly gratifying to the Senator and he willingly accepted the invitation. He retired from the Senate well pleased with the work he had accomplished, and likewise full and overflowing, on account of his experience, with the hope of probably being more or less instrumental in providing for the future welfare of the colored people by founding a university for their young men and boys. Thus did the mills of the Gods grind slow, but exceedingly fine.

On reaching Jackson, Dr. Revels went immediately into conference with Governor Alcorn, which lasted for some time, and resulted in the formulating of plans for the purchasing of Oakland College, which would be remade into a college for Negroes, which plans were promptly perfected and laid before the legislature and as promptly adopted. And thus did brighter day begin to down for the Negro youth of Mississippi under the guiding hand of Hyram R. Revels, former United States Senator.

IN seeking a name for the newly created institution, it was the opinion of the members of the legislature that is should be christened Revels University, but this courtesy he declined and asked that it be given the name of Alcorn University in honor of him, who had made the school possible. Being the logical personage for the presidency he, without a dissenting vote, was named by the Senate as Alcorn University's first president.

"Great heights are not reached by a single bound,
But we build the ladder on which we climb,
And mount it round by round."

On assuming the duties of the presidency of Alcorn University Dr. Revels took up the cross, uplifting and upbuilding the recent slaves through Christianity and education, where he had laid it down in order to enter the political arena. Causing to come to the school as his associates a corps of highly educated colored teachers, who, like himself had been trained in leading Northern Colleges and Universities, he set out to make of Alcorn University, to the newly enfranchised colored citizens, what its predecessor, Oakland College, had been to the aristocratic white citizens-the leading educational institution of the state. 

And now the Negro College swings open its gates for the reception of students and hundreds rushed thither with the view of getting a smattering of an education to assist them in becoming better and more useful citizens. President Revels, Prof. John R. Blackburn, Prof. Isaiah T. Mitchell and Prof. John L. Minor were on the reception line to extend to each and every student a warm welcome. in due time, the 8 o'clock bell summoned them to the Assembly Hall, from whence they dispersed to the several class rooms and, so far as the state of Mississippi was concerned, another Negro miracle had been performed.  It was a happy moment for the ex-slave to see his son march off to college as he had seen his former young master.

"My son is at college and won't have to do as I have done," was his proud boast, and who will gainsay it was not a commendable one.  To be sure "my son" was in college and making wonderful progress, even though the scholastic standard had to be lowered to the level of grammar grade work for him to be admitted as most of those in attendance were not higher in books than the third grade.  Many were financially able to remain only the three winter months and then return to their farm duties, but, having gotten a taste of learning, as soon as it was convenient for them, they were up and at it again.  Such progress did they make that the fame of Alcorn University for converting rural farm boys into promising young me, fairly capable of taking care of not only their own affairs, but even that of others, was spread throughout the length and breadth of the state and even into neighboring commonwealths.

  Under the influence of President Revels, who had the happy faculty of imparting wholesome inspirations to those with whom he came in contact, especially the younger generation, those farm boys, without culture or ordinary refinement, often without even personal pride, poured forth from their dormitories on the campus ground, a few months after entering the school, with a presto-change air and deportment.  This rapid transition not only made the older colored folk feel proud of "my son", but even drew from the over-critical white folk flattering ecomiums of the wonderful progress they were making. 

  Of course each teacher had done his duty, his whole duty and more than his duty in that splendid work, but it was President Revels who had (Continued on page 68)

Left: 
A TRUSTING HEART
BY THE REV. JOSEPH M. EVANS
Again we come in grateful way,
with glad-some word and happy lay,
To let our thanks to God be known
For ev'ry blessing He has shown.

Perchance the times do not compare,
In equal joy and goodness rare,
With other days of mem'ry's call,
That seemed to lavish more on all.  

They who may hunger, thirst and need
And thus to joy give little heed;
Shall find it hard to see the light
That shineth in their darkened night.

An empty meal and cheerless bed,
And chilly winds inspiring dread,
Sometimes destroy all hope at last,
And leave but wrecks behind the blast.

But though the day may dreary be,
The night too dark to even see;
Still we should trust, nor be afraid,
For He will be our lasting aid.

If but a crust of bread is thine,
And hope seems fled from ev'ry line;
Just trust Him still, and do not doubt,
He will not fail to lead you out.

Behind the darkest cloud there's light,
And o'er it all is Heaven's might;
Be thankful then, and still thy heart,
God always does the righteous part.

Then give Him thanks, it is your due,
No matter here what others do;
If gratitude dies from your soul,
Your life will never reach its goal.