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building could be rented on any terms for school purposes. Not a home could be found for a teacher. At every step we were compelled to meet and overcome this wicked prejudice. At Military Posts this hostility was held in check, and then only could schools be established at first. Upon the withdrawal of the Volunteer forces in early winter, this hostile spirit broke out with increased malignity, and in its madness burnt to the ground three colored churches and two school houses. It did not cease here, but threatened the lives of teachers if they did not desist from their beneficient undertaking's. Such a spirit, manifested on the part of the late masters, had its depressing influence upon the freedmen and prevented any considerable accession of Northern teachers to the few already in the State.

It was moreover particularly unfortunate for Alabama, that the School year of /65 was almost entirely lost to the cause of education among the blacks. The very late occupation of the State by Federal forces, rendered any appeal for help in the first half of the year of no avail. When the autumn months arrived making it safe for Northern teachers to come among us, it was found that the magnificent charities of the Northern people were nearly consumed in supporting schools established in other parts before a foot-hold had been secured in Alabama. Sound