"Letter from New Orleans, The Christian Recorder, Mar. 17,1866, p. 1 · Freedmen's Bureau Project

Title

"Letter from New Orleans, The Christian Recorder, Mar. 17,1866, p. 1

Date

03-17-1866

Creator

Edmonia Highgate

Description

In this article in The Christian Recorder (the newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church), teacher Edmonia Highgate reports on the state of education in New Orleans, where 5000 children have been educated by 150 teachers with government support. She describes a recent educational exhibition, as well as Mardi Gras festivities.

Source

Center for Research Libraries

Transcript

LETTER FROM NEW ORLEANS .

General impressions- Rev. Turner, of A.M.E. Church- Madam de Matie, Soule Mansion Orphanage- Governmental Schools- Dr. P.B. Randolph- Exhibition- Schulson Pay basis- Fred. Douglass' School- Mardi Gras- "Mystic Krewe of Comus"- Tribune Editor's Courtesy, &c.

DEAR RECORDER:- Knowing full well that you have visited the Crescent City, still I venture to act on my theory, that no one pair of eyes takes in a complete view at a bird's eye glance; that, to have a correct report, you must consolidate the one given by a male and female witness. So I propose giving your readers that opportunity.
New Orleans , with its Creole population, European Cafe's and Customs continually tend to deceive me into the belief that they are out of America, or, at all events, have left the precincts of Yankeedom. The climate varies enough to suit the caprice of the most fitful humored. The beautiful orange trees clustering in rich profusion - the rare beauty and fragrance of the Cornelias- the plenitude of roses in mid-winter, all render mere physical existence herewith, at a premium. The two grand statues, the public squares, the elegance of the architecture of the buildings, especially St. Charles Hotel, which surpasses every other building, save the Naval Hospital of Portsmouth, Virginia, that I have seen the whole South, raising its colossal proportions of white marble sky-ward.
We have had the pleasure of meeting Rev. Turner and hearing him sermonize. Although his people retain an admiring remembrance of Rev. Dove, yet he is destined to be very popular. There is a complete stagnation of all religious interests here, save perhaps, a type of it that pervades the Catholic portions of the city.
We are delighted to find Madam Louise de Mortie so grandly engaged as Matron of the Soule Mansion Orphanage. Her heroic devotion to the helpless little ones under her charge; the tact she displays in all things a la militaire and her prowess, acknowledged by all of the rebel suasion who are unfortunate enough to encounter her, to say nothing of the brilliant series of ruses she resorts to, to ever make the right come uppermost, certainly will make her career here monumental.
Just now we have reached a crisis in the educational affairs of this department. The government has been educating 5000 children, and employing 150 teachers in this city, at an immense cost. Now it is obliged to withdraw all pecuniary support, as far as salaries are concerned, consequently the number of teachers are reduced to twenty five, and we have only 1,500 children in our schools- these pay a tuition of $1.50 per month, according to the regulation of the Freedmen's Bureau. Of the character of these admirably graded schools, and the noble self-sacrifice of many of the teachers, too much cannot be said. They have labored literally without money, for the government owes them five months' pay, and this is the sequel to the present policy.
Your readers may know of that strangely gifted author and eloquent orator, Dr. P.B. Randolph. He has labored in the educational work in this city, exerting a marvellous influence over the military powers, that he has expended not only money, but brains, and being, with a disinterestedness which is incomprehensible, and will only be fully appreciated when he has gone never to return. His pupils held an exhibition in the Orleans Theatre a short time since. The tableaux, scenes and many of the songs were written by the Dr. for the occasion. The whole affair was a brilliant success, and far exceeds any thing of the sort I ever attended in the South. Remember, these children were not only slaves a few years ago, but many of them speak any thing but the purest English language- or French either, you would add, should you attempt to make them comprehend that vernacular. The officers connected with the Bureau are mostly of the right stamp. We have one school named after "Gen. Baird," of which Miss C.V. Highgate is principal. This officer is a relative of Gerrit Smith's, and is true to his colors all the way through. We have a flourishing school in the Creole district, called after our eloquent champion, Frederick Douglass, of which your amie de plume is principal, assisted by an able corps of educated colored teachers. This school is held in what was formerly a "slave pen." The building is of gray stone, and being commodious, it is comfortably fitted up with all the necessary apparatus for our use, save that we need one map of the United States. In fact, we have no maps at all. Who will send us even second-handed ones, that the "Fred. Douglass' School" teachers may be made glad? A globe is more than we dare ask for, but, for the sake of the monument we are rearing, which shall not crumble away, let some one send these desiderata to us, to the care of the Freedmen's Bureau for this school. Mr. Geo. T. Ruby was the former principal. He is an educated instructor formerly of Maine, and his pupils have attained a surprising degree of proficiency in the English rudiments. We have a governmental Normal school to qualify our most advanced young men and women, who are fitted by nature for the work, to go into our parishes and there instruct. Perhaps, it would be well, if such an institution had its foundation in our more northern cities. The work is ours. We must be ready for it.
Yesterday, was " Mardi Gras ," or fat Tuesday. A grand festival celebration of the breaking up of the Carnival, preparatory to the cessation of all gaities during the Lenten time, which was ushered in to- day. The streets were thronged all day by persons of all classes and both sexes, who paraded with the utmost abandon all masqued in the most curious costumes. We had the extensively arrayed representation of Louis XIV, the knights of the chivalrous age, and every variety of European style. The most popular masques were those of the classic "niggar" in sables. Almost all who ventured in the streets expected to be floured, and many were not disappointed.
In the evening we witnessed a gorgeous torchlight procession of the " Mystic Krewe of Comus ." The costumes were highly unique, and what adds to the interest of the matter, is that this organization is composed of the real creme de la creme of the wealth of the city, and therefore, the masses enjoyed the grotesque style and free manners of these high-born revellers. It was quite frequently the case, that an elegant chariot would dash by us, containing superbly robed kings and queens, perhaps. The king would be a lady and vice-a-versa. The perfect freedom which the females displayed in male attire, and the way they conducted themselves in the drinking saloons and like resorts, smoking and carousing was quite revolting to the sensibilities of their masculine participators. Really, this peculiar fete day caused one to imagine himself in Rome, or in the midst of an oriental seraglio. It is past one to-day, we look out into the dull rain of Ash-Wednesday.
Let me say a word here of the courtesy displayed toward this member of your "staff" by the gallant editors of the New Orleans Tribune, than which sheet we have not so radical and well conducted a paper in the department. Pledging ever to report our cause aright. I am hoping to hear from the co-laborers who patronize the Recorder.

E. GOODELLE HIGHGATE.
P.O. Box 1714.

New Orleans , La.