Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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£l)c $istorp of J otoarti tHntocrsitp from 1807 to 1024 ..! $ i $ O'] E B :■: T THE CLOSE OF THE CIVIL WAR. human slavery in America had been abolished forever, and a new problem in the field of education presented itself. The immortal stroke of Lincoln’s pen had liberated about four million slaves. This group accustomed to the crudest tools of industry, an almost inhuman man- ner of living, the most imperfect use of a modern language could h. made citizens only in name. The north and south had exactly opposite views concerning the welfare, the possibilities of the Negro. The one was sympathetic, and believed that educational advantages would be one of the chief factors in solving the problem; the other looked upon the freedmen as a hoard of savages turned loose on the country, and had no more desire to help release them from the chains of intellectual bondage than from physical bondage. In addition to their lack of inclination to aid the Negro, there was also a lack of means with which to do so. The north, blessed with both these essentials, took up the cause for the Negro and decided that only his own desire and capacities should determine his limitations. The need of Negro leaders and teachers must be met. Out of such a spirit as this was born the Howard University. A situation of special significance surrounds the founding of this University. The abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia prior to the abolition of slavery farther south had caused a great influx of Negroes into the National capital. The educational problem thus presented was quickly realized by the various freedmen’s aid organizations and philanthropic individuals. The realization of this problem had been the basis of the founding of both day and night schools in elementary instruction for old and young alike. These schools met the need only halt way. though the task of their establishment and maintenance had been difficult in the face of opposition. There were those who believed that their duty would be discharged onlv when an institution of higher learning had been established at the capital of the Nation, where Negro Youth could be trained for leadership. On November 17. I8tf6, at the Columbia Law Building opposite Judiciary Square in Washington. D.C., was spoken the first words from which the Howard University evolved. Using this building as a temporary house of worship, members of the First Congregational Church were on that day holding a meeting on missions. Acting upon a suggestion of the Reverend Benjamin A. Morris, a son of former Senator Thomas A. Morris, the first plan for Howard was to make of the proposed institution a school of theology. The question of finance arose and that brought from Dr. Nichols a suggestion of the possibility of receiving aid from the Freed men's Bureau. This suggestion marked the beginning of the relationship of the University with the Federal Government. The committee appointed to bring in plans of organization, recommended that a night school be opened first and that they apply to the Frcedmen’s Bureau for quarters, fuel, heat, and light; and that three chairs of instruction be provided for. The recommendations were accepted and the first faculty was as follows: Reverend E. W. Robinson, Evidences and Bible Interpretation; Reverend D. B. Nichols, Biblical History and Geography; Dr. Silas Loomis. Anatomy and Physiology. .’i p1 B -V iyj EElS Jcj c 1924 BISON

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aegs Still this institution had neither name nor local habitation; its only possession was an aim to train colored youth for the ministry. Later the training of teachers was added to the original idea and the doors were thrown open to all who wished to enter, which act gave Howard University the unique distinction of being the first university in America to be established without some discrimination, either on a basis of race, sex, color, or creed. In the charter, provisions were made for departments of law, theology, and medicine; and it was named for the general, the philanthropist, the soldier—General Oliver O. Howard. The act of incorporation was signed by President Andrew Jackson on March 2. 1807; and instruction began in the following May. The first recitations were heard in a rented frame house which had been previously used as a dance hall on Seventh Street, extended, now Georgia Avenue, a little south of V Street. This property was afterwards bought for the University, and later resold when the permanent location was secured. General Howard experienced immense difficulty in obtaining the present very desirable location of the University. The owner of the property refused to sell a part of the one hundred-fifty acre tract, on the plea that the location of a Negro school would depreciate the value of the remainder. General Howard then purchased the entire tract at a cost of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, although the United States' Treasury was empty. With money received from the salt of surplus property and additional grants from rhe Freedmen’s Bureau, residences for several professors and four large buildings were erected. The four large buildings were University Hall, Miner Hall for girls, Clark Hall for boys, and a Medical building. For eight years Howard moved on. but found in May, 1873, that there was a deficit of almost one thousand dollars and every salaried officer in the University resigned as a result of readjustment in salaries and teachers. The university managed to survive the storm which came during the lean years that followed 1873; and came out a little wiser than before. The Freedmen’s Bureau had been abolished in 1873 and General Howard resigned the office of president of the University to re-enter the army. Not wishing to accept his resignation, the board of trustees granted him an indefinite leave of absence. The office of vice-president was revived, and John M. Langston (colored) was elected to that position. It was hoped that a new interest within the race would be aroused by placing a colored man in this position, but the lack of funds continued and he resigned. Philanthropists were not as willing to help in the support of the University as formerly, because it was assumed that the Government was paying the current expenses. On April 25. 1870. the Reverend Dr. William H. Patton was elected president of the university. His administration of twelve years was one of reconstruction and consolidation for Howard. The result of his efficient work was, that, beginning July 1, 1870, Congress appropriated ten thousand dollars toward current expenses. Since that time appropriations by Congress have been regularly made, and have so increased, that the institution at present receives over $360,000 per year from the United States Government. It was under Dr. Patton's administration that Howard rounded out and developed as a University; however, the various departments had 19 2 1 P. I S O N