KENTUCKY.
Berea College Commencement.
In one respect, Commencement at Berea, Ky., is unlike all other colleges. It exhibits, in the centre of a Southern State, the complete solution of the vexed negro question. In the large tabernacle, on the 3d inst., was an audience of two thousand people, rich and poor, white and colored, ex-masters and ex-slaves, sitting where they could find seats, without distinction, and with the kindest feelings. On the large platform sat in the rear the more advanced students, about half white and half colored; in front of them a choir of twenty singers, selected, evidently, with no thought of complexion; at the right a brass band of various shades; in front of all a score of professional men, with their wives, among whom were several colored preachers; outside was a mixed crowd of five hundred or more.
To this crowd twenty orations and essays were delivered by sixteen young men and four young ladies, of whom fourteen were white and six colored; and the only manifest thought of color was seen in the fact that one side of the audience was of a darker shade than the other. There was not the least sign of disturbance, nor any indication of dissatisfaction with this order of things, though more than two thousand of the audience must have come from regions outside of Berea, which is a village of five hundred inhabitants. A prominent Southern lawyer remarked that he never witnessed so good order in so large a crowd.
This state of things has been brought about without constraint, in the most natural way imaginable. It was originally a white school, but thoroughly anti slavery. A few months after emancipation, a couple of colored youths were admitted. Half the white students left immediately. But the vacancy was soon filled with colored students; and eventually the white students returned, and the trouble was over. The whole question seems to turn on the learning of one simple lesson—that contiguity with a free man is no more disagreeable than contiguity with a slave. The colors are mixed in all Southern society. A little change in the mixture has here occurred, and that is all.
The college campus, in which are all the college buildings except the Ladies’ Hall, consists of forty-five acres covered with native forest trees. Under the shade of these trees, during the intermission, two or three hundred groups spread and consumed their basket-dinners. And, in the more retired parts, a thousand horses were sheltered from the burning sun.
The afternoon exercises consisted of a rousing address by Prof. Dunn of Hillsdale College, Mich., on the conflicts of civilization, and a statement from President Fairchild to the effect that the annual number of students is about 275—males, 145; females, 128. Thirty-one are in the college department, and over a hundred are qualified to teach a common-school. Probably sixty or more will teach during the long summer vacation.
It has often been predicted that this school would either become all white or all colored; but there seems to be no such tendency. The idea of color seems almost to have passed away. Intellectual culture and moral worth determine each man’s position in society. It will be many years before this state of society becomes general; but cheering progress in this direction is very manifest, and not so tardy as many suppose.—Kentucky, in the Congregationalist.
Frankfort.
MISS MATTIE E. ANDERSON, TEACHER.
The public examination of this school occurred June 13th, and was one of great pleasure and interest. Each teacher conducted the examinations of her own classes. Parents and friends were highly gratified with the very flattering manner in which the young ladies acquitted themselves. During the year the building has been enlarged, and many improvements have been made. The new room was opened about the first of March.
The closing exercises took place at Major Hall, June 19th, and consisted of vocal and instrumental music, essays, declamations, tableaux, dialogues and concert exercises.
Upon the stage were seated Rev. Mr. Evans, pastor of the A. M. E. Church; Rev. Mr. Parris, of the Independent Baptist Church. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Evans. The children then sang “Away over Mountain,” after which Miss Virgin Gatewood came forward and read the Salutatory. The exercises were of more than usual interest, and held the audience spell-bound from eight P.M. until twelve M. The Valedictory was read by Miss Mittie Streets, after which “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by the children, during which they waved fifty flags in the most patriotic manner. Benediction was then said by Rev. Mr. Martin, pastor of the First Baptist Church. The hall was crowded with people, who seemed perfectly delighted with all they saw and heard. We have received numerous compliments from the citizens for giving such an interesting entertainment. Four of our pupils are now teaching in different localities.