Evidences of Progress Among Colored People

by G. F. Richings

Mr. T. McCants Stewart is one of the most remarkable colored men in the United States: he is a lawyer of unusual ability. He was born in Charleston, S. C., December 28, 1854.

After graduating from the common schools in June, 1869, he entered the Preparatory Department of Howard University, Washington, D. C., and finished the course, entering college in September, 1871. He stood at the head of his class throughout the course, making special record in the foreign languages, in belles lettres, and as a public speaker. In the summer of 1871, he lectured at various places in Virginia. Although a very young man, being then only seventeen years of age, he was heard by large audiences and took back to Howard University enough money to get well started in his college course. In the midst of his junior year, feeling that the facilities for the study of the sciences were better in the University of South Carolina than at Howard University, Mr. Stewart left the latter and entered the former institution, and in December, 1875, he graduated, at the head of his class, from the College and Law Departments of the University of South Carolina, delivering the valedictory oration, and receiving the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws.

T. McCANTS STEWART, ESQ.

Gen. Robert B. Elliott, one of the ablest men of his day, and, at that time, one of the most successful practitioners at the South Carolina bar, took Mr. Stewart into partnership and formed the law firm of Elliott, Dunbar & Stewart, which firm was retained in many important cases. Mr. Stewart began his professional career in a murder case, in which there was unusual interest in every part of the State. The ablest attorneys and counsel appeared for the people and Gen. Elliott and Mr. Stewart appeared for the defence. The General guided his young partner, but imposed upon him the burden of the work.

Mr. Dunbar died early in 1876, and Hon. D. Augustus Straker, now Circuit Court Commissioner, Detroit, Michigan, entered the law firm which then became Elliott, Stewart & Straker. The firm practised in several counties of the State. Wherever he appeared, Mr. Stewart's management of his cases was highly skilful, and he was usually successful. The Clarendon Press, a newspaper edited and published by Southern white men at Manning, S. C., makes this reference to Mr. Stewart's appearance in court there: "We must admit that Mr. Stewart displayed signal ability in the management of several cases. His respectful manner and modesty have created for him a favorable impression amongst the people."

In 1877, Mr. Stewart accepted the chair of Professor of Mathematics in the State Agricultural College of South Carolina, at Orangeburg, S. C. He resigned in 1878 to attend the post-graduate course of philosophy at Princeton College under Dr. James McCosh, and he also pursued the theological course in the seminary there. He went to New York in 1880, and made a national reputation in the ministry as an earnest and eloquent preacher. In November, 1882, he resigned from the church to accept the position of Professor of Belles Lettres and Law in the College of Liberia, on the West Coast of Africa. After traveling in Europe, he went to Liberia, remaining there until January, 1884. He returned to the United States and was appointed General Agent for Industrial Education in Liberia, West Africa. He traveled extensively in the New England States, making addresses in the principal cities. He was everywhere received with great enthusiasm, and Joseph Cook gave up the platform of Tremont Temple to Mr. Stewart, who made a brilliant address there on March 23, 1885, to an audience which applauded him heartily, and his address was subsequently published in full in the New York Independent of April 2, 1885.

In the fall of 1885, Mr. Stewart decided to return to the practice of law, and in January, 1886, he was admitted before the General Term of the Supreme Court of the State in New York City. The New York Freeman of January 9, 1886, contained this reference to the proceedings in Court:

"On Wednesday morning, before the Supreme Court in General Term, Algernon S. Sullivan, Esq., rose and submitted the papers of T. McCants Stewart, signed by Chief Justice Simpson of the South Carolina Supreme Court; and after a brief and generous reference to Mr. Stewart's ability and character, moved that he be admitted to practise law in the courts of New York. Hon. A. M. Keiley, late minister to Austria, seconded the motion. Mr. Keiley said he deemed it a great privilege to speak in behalf of this learned and well-beloved member of the African race, and was sure the members of the bar would extend to Mr. Stewart a fraternal welcome. Mr. Stewart was then sworn in. Ex-Governor Chamberlain, who was absent from the city, joined Mr. Keiley in seconding the motion for admission."