The Court-Room, with the wide halls approaching it and the deep window recesses, was not large enough to accommodate the hundreds who flocked to it. It was estimated that 800 entered and as many more failed to get in. An organ had been brought from one of the churches, a fine choir had been gathered, and very choice music was rendered. The leading colored clergymen of the city were present. The addresses which were made were plain matter-of-fact statements of the nature and demands of education, the widespread illiteracy of the colored people, the opportunity offered them of improving their condition mentally, socially, materially and morally, and the utter impossibility of their ever reaching a higher place in any department of growth without the guiding and helping hand of education. Great plainness of speech was used, and was not only tolerated but approved by the audience.
Rev. C. K. Marshall, D.D., the author of the vigorous and able pamphlet entitled “The Colored Race Weighed in the Balance,” a gentleman of great influence in Mississippi, kindly called upon us at the hotel, and not only was present at the meeting, but made an eloquent and telling address, replete with good points. He has always been a friend of the colored race, and they do not forget it now. Rev. Dr. Woodworth, of the M. E. Church South, and Hon. Mr. Chamberlin. President of the School Board, were also present, and spoke kindly words of approval of the objects of the meeting. The leading paper of Vicksburg devoted a column and a half to a favorable account of the proceedings. An old colored man, whom I saw violently gesticulating as I was going down Court-House Hill, said, “That meeting was worth one million dollars to our people.” God grant it may be so.
Plaquemine.
The crowning meeting of the campaign was in the town of Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville, on Saturday night, July 28th.
Hon. T. T. Allain, one of the most enterprising colored men in the South, and one of the most consistent friends of education, took the meeting in hand at the start, and spared neither time nor money to bring it to the notice of the whole people. This meeting, in all its appointments, was so unusual that I shall be pardoned if I describe it quite minutely. We were met by a committee of reception at the depot, and escorted to the hotel. One hour in advance of the meeting, a large cannon, planted in the court-house yard, made a tremendous salute, causing the very village to tremble. Peal after peal went forth, each seeming louder than the last. Torches were lighted and planted thickly in the court-yard, which, by their glare and smoke, gave a weird look to the hundreds of dusky faces gathering around them. A large brass band, with a full complement of pieces, added to the novelty and effectiveness of the scene.
Think of it, dear friends! This was not a political meeting. It was not a barbecue. It was simply a meeting called in the interests of education among the colored people of Southern Louisiana, which has always been regarded a “pretty dark strip of woods.” Well, now for the meeting itself! Mr. Allain gracefully and ably presided, and made a speech which did credit to his head and heart. For two hours that densely packed assembly listened to Prof. Hitchcock and myself with unflagging interest, manifested by frequent applause. The Court-House and court-yard were filled, and our audience without and within the building gave us a respectful and appreciative hearing. Plaquemine has been called the “banner” town. We certainly have no desire to dispute her claim to the honorable distinction, for the treatment we received there was “royal.”
The meeting at Donaldsonville, July 12th, was a union of the Baptist and Methodist congregations, and will result, we trust, in the awakening of a new interest. I should be glad to speak particularly, had I not reached the limit of my space, of meetings held by Prof. Hitchcock at West Baton Rouge, St. Sophie, New Texas and Beauregour, and visits to Monticello, Darrowville, and Point a la Hache, where many of the families and homes of the students were seen. Everywhere he was awarded a warm welcome. People rallied to the meetings, sometimes from a distance of 12 miles. Genuine enthusiasm was aroused, and the tide of public sentiment has been turned, we believe, more strongly toward the “School-House,” and that was our only object. The “door of opportunity” is fairly open. Ought we not to enter it and tell the entire people the glad story of education?
A WORD FROM TILLOTSON INSTITUTE.
PRES. W. E. BROOKS, AUSTIN, TEXAS.