New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-08

The Federal District has colored population OF
| a. OO0 most of them free while large proportion
of both free and slave are parti.coored, eyncing
liberal infusion Of Caucasian blood. For the edu-
cation of none Of these, whether slave or free, =
apy public provision made, while nearly all of them
exist in state of poverty and social degradation
which forbids the thought Of their education by
spontaneous effort. Living in state of social vas
salage tolerated by the ruling caste only as minis
trants to their pride luxury and Incidence or pan
ders t. their vices il is not strange that the moral
as well as intellectual condition Of these Blacks is
very low one-it would be strange indeed if it were
otherwise.
These facts, some years since, impelled North
ern lady Miss Myrtilla Miner, To undertake the
establishment there of School for Colored Girls.
The plan was favored by a few phanthropists,
through whose aid plat of three acres or 80 lying
near the boundary dividing Washington City from
Georgetown, has been purchased and paid for with
small but coinmodous building thereon, which is
at once the schoohouse and residence Of the teacher
and her boarding scholars. Here some thirty or
forty girls Of all hues but white being instructed
as well az the abilities and means of the teacher
will permit. The impossibity of renting room
for such purpose has constrained the purchase of
this house and ground, while the abs.'hcc of any
appeals for local sympathy or local notorety has
not shielded the enterprise from the wrath of His
Democratic Majesty King Mob. For some years
past however it has been unmoested-a favor
which Miss Miner gratefully attributes to the per-
sOnal interpOsition Of Mrs. President Pierce, who.
hearing that its rotous suppression was immi-
nent drove over repeatedly in her carriage to in.
qure into the progress of the school and be assured
to its prospects aud safety. The cowardly mis-
creants who were plotting its destruction noting
with amazement this reflected shadow of White
House patronage, wilted like mOwn weeds under
July sun.
Recently an effort has been made mainly in
Boston, to raise 500 600 for the enlargement of the
house and general improvement of this school, so as
to fit it for the accommodation Of half dozen
teachers and one hundred aud fifty scholars, nelud
ing twenty or thirty boarders. Such dangerous
radicals and fanatics as the Rev. DR.. Lothrop,
George S. Hilard and Deacon Sam Creole were
conspicuous in the effort, and il was thought that
the 800 600 required could be raised in the course
Of this year.
These facts have stirred up the Hon. Walter
Lennox, g pecuniary magnate and ex-Mayor OF
Washington City, TO cOunter-demOnstratiOn. He
announces through The National fneltigsneer, that
this school must be put down. He don't want to
provoke "a sectional controversy"!! He would
simply suppress agitation by suppressing the educa-
ton of coored children in the District. Says the
Hon. Walter:
1.-THE matter involved ia too momentous in all its
relations not only TO this community, but to the entire
country; and in the language OF the extract Itself
rises infinitely above all party or sectional lines. II
my wish TO arrest public attention here a. also else
where in order that such immediate measures may be
adopted as the exigeney OF the case demands IL DO
pOt entirely mistake the opinion which the citizens OF
this District will entertain Of the character and fatal
consequences Of this enterprise they will almost unver
sally without distinction OF party or class, empha'i
csy protest against IT, and will confidently expect tnst
the advocates Of this measure viii promptly abandon
H. as an unjust and dangerous interference win the
interests aud feelings OF separate independent COM
munty.. oo.o.,.;,, ~
DELAY This scheme started some years ago in
humble guise and In the foohold has already gained
it feels of its future progress Earnest prompt
action now arrest i peacefully; tumuN and blood
may stain its future history.
With Justice we can say TO the advocates of this
measure You are not competent to decide this ques-
ton; your habits of thought, your ignorance of our
true relations 10 the coored population prevent You
from making a full and candid examination of its
merits, and above all the temper Of the public mind
i. nauspicious even for its consideration. II your
humanity demands this particular sphere for ts
ton and if, to your own language, prejudice
would brand them at your Northern schools, establish
separate institutions the Free States dispense your
money there abundantly your charity will supply,
draw to them the unfortunate at your OWE door,
or from abroad and in all respects crafty the largest
impulses OF your philanthropy but do not seek 20 i'm
pOse upon us system contrary 20 our wishes aud
interests and for the further that by doing
YOU injure the Of those whom you express
wish 10 serve. We must insist that within our limits
We are the best and must be the exclusive, judges Of
the character and degree Of instruction that shall be
impaired to this class of our population; who shall be
their teecher and what the nature OF the influences
they may seek or shall be permitted 10 exercise.
Certainly Mr. Lennon you citizens of the Dis
.rict can break up the school, burn the house con.
scste the grounds, and punish or Danish the teach
tr. if you insist on IT, There ia no power in the
States where the teaching Of the poor and despised
is crime to prevent such demonstrations ou your
port! Bot tie People 81 tie Free States have