A negro boy named Scott, with all the features of the African strongly
marked, executed a difficult solo with an artistic appreciation which
would have brought enthusiastic plaudits from an audience of critics.

{pg 210}
A TRUE FRIEND OF THE RACE.

And then the Rev. Dr. William Hayne Leavell, of Meridian, arose to
deliver the annual address. What a contrast! Dr. Leavell is a South
Carolinian by birth and a relative of the great Nullifier Hayne. He
comes of one of the proud old Southern families and has the highest
social connections. He stands six feet high, a magnificent specimen of
physical manhood, and as chock full of moral courage as he is of blue
blood. This man left his home, declined an invitation to participate
in the Confederate corner-stone ceremonies, and devoted his birthday
anniversary to Tougaloo. Dr. Leavell is a son-in-law of United States
Senator George, of Mississippi. He is the man who delivered an address
before the Mississippi Legislature last winter, and denounced as
cowards, men who go about with pistols in their hip pockets. And when
the blank looks of amazement went round he rubbed his sentiments in on
the Mississippians and their folly, of making themselves walking
shooting galleries. Coming before the students of Tougaloo yesterday,
Dr. Leavell said:

"My interest in you, in this whole work, grows out of a memory. Your
fathers were the servants of my fathers. I remember that in 1861, when
I was a very small boy, the sound of war went through this land. My
father, kinsmen and friends went forth to battle to keep your fathers
in servitude. I remember that not a few of your fathers knew what that