A 7 /%€*> : ' : 1 « k L Xr/> A XAVI9XAL IXSVIVfTVItX EDUCATION AND TRAINING Orphans and. CIlMrgi POOR OF AFRICAN DESCENT UN]I T'ED Sj T A T'E>§, FOR THE POOR ALWAYS YE HAVE WITH YOU. " F KED MY LAMBS. LOUISVILLE, KY.: PRINTED BY JOHN P. MORTON AND COMPANY. 1872. CHILDREN'S HOME and Polytechnic Academy: LOCATED AT THE FALLS OP THE OHTO, LOUISVILLE, KY. A Great National Charitable Institution, CREATED FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE ORPHANS AND EXTREME POOR OK THE AFRICAN RACE OF EVERY STATE IN THE UNION ; ALSO A " HOME " FOR THE EXTREME AGED AND INFIRM OF THE SAME RACE WHO HAVE NONE TO CARE FOR OR PROVIDE FOR THEM. uitsectaeia un¬ chartered January 22, 1872—Charter Perpetual. louisville: printed by john p. morton and company. 1872. OFFICERS OF THE INSTITUTION. GEORGE S. WHIPPLE, .... President. F. B. JONES, ..... Secretary. LANDON LIMERICK, ..... Business Manager. OLIVER H. STRATTON, .... Corporation Counsel. Hon. J. H. BUNCE, ..... Treasurer. FINANCIAL SUPERVISORS. Hon. JOHN G. BAXTER, . Hon. J. M. DUNCAN, Hon. WM. A. MERIWETHER, Mayor of Louisville. ^ Prf.s't Louisvili.e Board of Trade, ) Pres't Planters National Bank. United States Commissioner. BOARD OF VISITORS. Rev. J. H. HEY WOOD, D. D., ... Unitarian. Rev. E. P. Humphrey, D. D., . . . Presbyterian. Rev. E. T. PERKINS, D. D„ . . . . Episcopalian. Rev. WM. M. PRATT, D. D., . . . Baptist. Rev. R. H. RIVERS, D. D., . . . Methodist Episcopal COL. W. DE B. MORRILL, Solicitor for the Northern and Eastern Cities THE CHILDREN'S HOME AND INSTITUTE THE DESIGN OF THE INSTITUTION. It is organized for the education of the children of the poor of the African race of every state in the Union; to gather the orphans and all the children of the extreme poor of every state in the Union, and give them a good English education, and to continue the same through a regular collegiate course in every case where the same is deemed advisable by the Board of Visitors; to teach those who seem to be best adapted to follow other pur¬ suits some useful art, trade, or calling, such as in the judgment of the Board they had best pursue; to fit these children to become teachers to their race, and when qualified to send them home to the states from whence they came, where they will naturally become a power for good incalculable. The children who will be educated by this institution are from that class that in the ordinary course of events would not in many years receive any attention or help from the states in which they live. They would conse¬ quently grow up in ignorance and vice, become vagrants 4 children's home and institute. and pests to society, and help fill our work-houses, jails, and prisons. The purpose of this institution is to rescue the thou¬ sands of this class in our country from their certain fate, and make them, so far as education and moral training can, good citizens, worthy of the freedom and citizenship which has been conferred upon them, and an honor to themselves and a blessing to their race. Can we do less, in the name of common humanity and as a Christian people, for these poor children, who have none to come to their relief? It is confidently asserted that there is not in the whole country an organ¬ ization for any great philanthropic charitable object which is paramount to this in importance, or which appeals so earnestly to the great-hearted benevolence and Christian charity of all good people throughout the country. The existence of the institution is necessarily local, geographically, but it is national in its character, and its influence and benefits will be co-extensive with our country. The existence of this institution upon the broad national basis projected now depends entirely upon the response made to our call for help by the noble-hearted Christian people of the North and East. The South will help all she can, but her people are impoverished, and it is to you we look for aid and ask for help; and may you respond, as our cause is worthy. The warm sympathy and hearty and substantial co¬ operation which has been shown by the people of Louis¬ ville toward the Institution is a cheering augury of success. children's home and institute. 5 A beautiful site for the Institution has been purchased on the bank of the Ohio River, within three miles of the city, containing fifty acres, and ten thousand dollars paid upon it. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars is the sum needed to carry out fully the plan and intent of the Institution. The work of securing donations is now being prosecuted in this section and the surrounding country with success, and we have reason to believe that our people will do for us all they can. We now make an earnest appeal, through our only authorized agent for the Northern and Eastern States, Col. W. De B. Morrill, to every Christian, and to every man who loves his country and has the cause of educa¬ tion and common humanity at heart, to help us now, and to the extent of his ability. A list of all donations made to the Institution will be published semi-annually. The following names of donors to the Institution head the list of Col. Morrill: u. s. GRANT, Gen. E. WHITTLESEY, President of the United States. Freedman's Bureau. Hon. HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State. HENRY D. COOKE, Hon. GEO. W. ROBESON, Secretary of the Navy. Governor District of Columbia. Hon. HENRY WILSON, Hon. R. W. TAYLOR, First Comptroller United States Treasury. Senator from Massachusetts, Hon. LYMAN TRUMBULL, Senator from Illinois. Hon. JOHN M. BROADHEAD, JAY COOKE, Gen. BENJAMIN ALVORD, Second Comptroller United States Treasury. Banker, Philadelphia. Sir EDWARD THORNTON, Paymaster-General United States Army. English Minister. ABSTRACT OF THE CHARTER. This corporation shall be known as " Children's Home and Polytechnic Academy at the Falls of the Ohio;" and by that name and designation is made capable in law to have, purchase, receive, possess, enjoy, sell, and convey real and personal property, money, and securities for money; establish and accumulate a permanent fund, and loan the same on mortgage security; contract and be contracted with, sue and be sued, plead and be im¬ pleaded in any court in this commonwealth; to make and use a common seal, and alter the same at pleasure; also to ordain, establish, enforce, and amend such by¬ laws, rules, and regulations as the board of directors, or a majority of them, shall judge necessary and proper for the convenient, systematic, and successful government of said corporation; but no by-law shall be made which conflicts with the constitution and laws of this state or of the United States. The object of this corporation shall be and is to establish permanently a NATIONAL Charitable Insti¬ tute for Indigent Children, with a Polytechnic Academy attached, in which orphans and children of both sexes, of all ages from one to twelve years, of African descent, may be admitted free, and receive fostering care, food, raiment, and medical attention; also to train them in children's home and institute. 7 moral courses, educate them in the English branches of learning, and cause them to be instructed in some art, trade, or useful calling; and to award diplomas to those beneficiaries who graduate, may have earned meri¬ torious distinction, or who have completed their appren¬ ticeship. The corporation shall have the capacity to acquire and own not exceeding one hundred acres of land in one body within ten miles from the Falls of the Ohio River, and to erect thereon all necessary and convenient buildings, chapels, offices, factory shops, and to furnish the same with furniture, tools, implements, and machin¬ ery; also to acquire and own a permanent fund not ex¬ ceeding five hundred thousand dollars, which shall be loaned from time to time, upon real estate mortgage security, at a rate of interest not less than ten per cent, per annum, and to make such other investments neces¬ sary to insure an annual income of one hundred thou¬ sand dollars to said institution. Said real estate, improvements thereon, and perma¬ nent fund and resources may be acquired by voluntary donations from philanthropic and charitable persons and corporations, by accretions, and by fairs, exhibitions, concerts, and lectures. A permanent record and account of all donations, receipts, accumulations, disbursements, and expenses shall be kept by the Secretary, which shall exhibit the name and residence of each donor, zvith the date and S2im contributed. A n alphabetical list of all donations shall be printed in pamphlet form at least once every two years for circulation and public inspection. 8 children's iiome and institute. Admissions into the Home and Academy may be made upon the order of any judge, mayor, or by consent of the parent, guardian, or next friend of the minor. Once admitted, the corporation and its officers shall be sole custodian of the child, and responsible for his or her training, etc. Discharges may be granted and di¬ plomas awarded, #upon special order of the board of directors, at any time after the inmate has attained the age of sixteen years. All officers and employees shall execute a covenant to the corporation, with security to be approved by the board of directors, conditioned for the faithful discharge of their respective duties. Teachers, nurses, and instructors shall report monthly to the secretary the progress in studies, conduct, and standing of each inmate under their charge. That proper provision shall be made, when the re¬ sources of the Home and Academy shall justify it, for the admission, care, and support of aged and infirm persons of the African race; and those of said race who are blind, deaf and dumb, idiots, and lunatics, and who are incapable of procuring or earning a support. The following letters, from Hon. John G. Baxter, Mayor of the City of Louisville, Ky., Hon. Wm. A. Meriwether, United States Commissioner, and Hon. James M. Duncan, President of the Louisville Board of Trade and President of the Planters National Bank, are respectfully submitted. W. DeB. MORRILL, Solicitor. Mayor's Office, Louisville, Ky., April ijtk, 1872. Col. W. DeB. Morrill, Louisville, Ky.: Sir,—I have examined the pamphlet left with me, datailing the plan of the corporators of the institution for educating the indigent childfen of our colored population, and building a "Home" for the aged and infirm of that race. The enterprise is indeed a noble one, and meets my unqualified approval. I know of none more needed, or more deserving of the favorable consideration of a Christian and charitable public. In your personal labors for this grsat charity accept the assurance of my best wishes for your success. In whatever intercourse we have had, your actions have been creditable to yourself, and from all the representations I have had I am satisfied that you will zeal¬ ously guard the interests of the above institution, and see that its funds are properly applied. Respectfully, JOHN G. BAXTER. Clerk's Office U. S. Circuit and District Courts, Ky. District, Louisville, Ky., April 13//&, 1872. Col. W. DeB. Morrill, late Military Agent for Illinois, New York, and Kentucky, and Agent for the Illinois State Sanitary Commission, and Special Agent for the Lincoln National Mouument Association, is a gentleman of high honor and integrity. The object for which he is the solicitor of the charity of the Christian public—the build¬ ing of a School and College for the education of the indigent children of the African race, and a " Home" for the aged and infirm—is a most noble one, and is eminently worthy of the most liberal contributions from all charitable people. (Signed) W. A. MERIWETHER, Clerk U. S. District Courts and U. S. Commissioner. Louisville, Ky., April i6tk, 1872. To the Benevolent ! Col. W. DeB. Morrill, the bearer, is a gentleman of the highest honor and integrity. The feet that he accepts the position of solicitor for any public charity is a sufficient guar¬ anty of its merit for all who know him. To those who do not, I give the assurance that the object for which he asks donations—the "Home and Institute" for the aged and children of the African race—is in the highest degree worthy of the generous consideration of all good people. And the further assurance, that all contributions collected for this object will be faithfully applied to carrying out the same. For the purpose of securing entire confidence on the part of all who make donations to Col. Morrill {who is the only authorized solicitor) for the institution, a legal instrument has been deposited with me, signed by the officers of the same, which constitutes His Honor, John G. Baxter, Mayor of the City of Louisville, Hon. W. A. Meriwether, United States Commissioner, and myself a Board of Supervisors to see to the faithful appropriation of all funds collected for this object. Respectfully, J. M. DUNCAN. By Special hth