The bulletin of Atlanta University, 1909 no. 188

              Number 188                                      Atlanta, Georgia                                  February, 1909 A Letter from Mr. Taft The following letter was addressed to President Ware: Augusta, Ga., December 23, 1908. My dear Mr. President: I have your kind note of December 18th, in which you ask me to visit Atlanta University. I shall be glad to do so during my stay in Atlanta if you can arrange it with the committee that will have charge of my movements while I am there. I am much interested in the work you are doing, and should be glad if the committee can make an arrangement for a short visit. Don't count on anything from me involving a long time, and don't expect from me any extended remarks. You will readily understand that I am under a good deal of pressure from other directions and am not ready to make addresses. Sincerely yours, (Signed) Wm. H. Taft. This kind letter from Mr. Taft gave us high hopes that he might visit Atlanta University, but the entertainment committee of the Chamber of Commerce found it impossible to make the necessary arrangements, so many were the demands upon the time of their distinguished guest. We are glad, however, that Haines Institute in Augusta had the honor of entertaining the President-Elect, and we are proud of the high compliment which Mr. Taft gave to Lucy Laney and her work. Haines Institute is one of the strongest and most useful of the children of Atlanta University, Miss Laney and several of her teachers being our graduates. A Problem in Ethics The following incident is typical of many experiences which come to teachers in the kindergartens of the Gate City Free Kindergarten Association in Atlanta. A small boy about six years old, who had never known the influence of a real home, and whose only clothing was such as he could snatch from the garbage heap, was found by one of the teachers. Knowing how little kindness the boy had experienced, she discounted his surly manner and by her love Won his most loyal devotion.    He often spoke of a little sister who he wished might also come to kindergarten. The teacher urged him to bring the child, till at length he confessed that she could not come because she had no clothes to wear. In the afternoon of each school day the teacher gathers older children for some instruction in manual arts and such practical matters as she has facilities to teach. This small boy was so devoted that he remained after kindergarten had been dismissed to help in any way he might with the exercises of the afternoon. Some muslin had been purchased for window curtains, and the chief task for that day was making the curtains. The next morning he appeared with his little sister marching triumphantly beside him. She was dressed in a clean white dress which he had manufactured for her from one of the window curtains that he had managed to carry away with him the day before. With a string he had drawn it in at the neck and at the waist, and the little girl sat proudly smoothing the folds of her beautiful dress, while he admonished her to be careful of it, and said he would take it off and put it away to keep it clean when they got home. Sergeant William H. Carney and the Old Flag A friend has sent us a clipping from the Boston Transcript containing a letter written by Mr. N. P. Hallowell, vividly describing the famous assault of the 54th Mass. Volunteers upon Fort Wagner. This letter was called forth by the recent death of Sergeant Carney, who manifested in his humble position as elevator man in the Massachusetts State Capitol the same allegiance to duty and the same heroism which forty-five years ago he manifested at the storming of Fort Wagner. Mr. Hallowell concludes, "It is fitting that his last act, the act which cost his life, should be one of courtesy. In stepping aside to make room for another his leg was caught and crushed. Sergeant Wm. H. Carney was a gentleman. Peace to him !" The following is a comment from the pen of the friend who sent us this clipping: "I shall never for- get that day when the regiment marched through Beacon St., the soldiers of every shade of color, the white officers, all young, and of the best families, in the true sense of 'best.' The sidewalks were crowded ; there was perfect silence, except the sobbing of women. Men stood bareheaded, with tears running down their faces. That dreadful time all comes back to me as yesterday. When it began I had a father and brother.    When it ended I had neither." When, in the midst of the battle, the retreat was sounded, Sergeant Carney bore the colors, across the open field, safely back to the Union lines. Though wounded he fulfilled his duty, and his words, "The old flag never touched the ground, boys," have become immortal. The heroism and the sacrifice called forth in the cause of liberty must not be forgotten in the long task of education. As Lincoln said, it is for us, the living, "to highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." To the Negro soldiers the "old flag" meant what it means to all Americans. But to them it meant something more, a something which is perhaps best expressed by the lines of Robert Burns: Then let us pray, that come it may, And come it will, for a' that, That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, May bear the gree, and a'that. For a' that, and a' that, It's comin' yet for a' that, That man to man, the warld o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that. No matter for what special calling our young people are preparing themselves, those who have their education in charge should remember that the old flag must never touch the ground. On Monday, Jan. 11, we were honored with a short visit from Dr. Henry S. Pritchett, President of the Carnegie Foundation. He was escorted by Pres. K. G. Matheson, of the Georgia School of Technology, and Mr. Akers of Atlanta. We were glad to have these gentlemen visit several of our recitations and were especially pleased to show them the Carnegie Library building. They also spent a few minutes in the Oglethorpe Practice School.