Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-07-15
sATURDAY#::#:::::;:::!!#;::JULY Is, 1855
THE "PECULIAR INSTITUTION
OF THE NORTH EXTENDING
SOUTH-FREE SCHOOLS FOR
POOR WHITES In RICHMOND
THE T.. +. VS. OPPOSED TO
THEM-A LETTER FROM A NO.
n

BILE LADY.
President JoHSsos's idea of liborating,
educating, and elevating the "poor whites"
of the South is already being practiced upon
Free schools-the peculiar institution of
the North-are already established in many
of the Southern cities for blacks and whites
The letter below, written by Philadelphia
lady of accomplishment and experience, and
u teacher of more than ordinary ability and
skill, explains itself 1t affords us great
pleasure to learn from Miss THRoPP herself
that tho great and good enterprise, upon
which she and her sister have SO earnestly
embarked, and to which they have given the
whole of the time of their summer vacation,
has resulted so successfully. We sincerely
trust that tho opportunity she offers to those
who are able to contribute to the cause OF
education in the South will be generously
responded to. Miss THRorP writes as fol.
lows:
RIoHNoSD, July TO- lss5.
TO the Editor Of the National Repu5fcdn.
DsAR SIR: II was my privilege, as you know.
to spend the Baster holidays IN Richmond. The
ladies of the FreedmRn's Aid Society arrived
hDOut tnt hAmo uht, ana were soon actively =
gagged In their excellent work. But tho little,
helpless children Of the poor whites, too Young
Tor nsetnlness, were lying about the pavement in
front Of the Commission Room In ragged wretch
od-looking groups, ,shiyering crow ding the sunny
spots, and occasionally begging for a ehild's pa
per, with A, H. C's in it, II was then suggested
that these little ones should be gathered In and
FREQ schools organized. The work was commen ed
at once, by O. THURsrOS CHASE, Esq, the practi.
cal, efficient worker In this matter.
July hnds me again In Richmond, and two
good schools, ono numbering one hundred pupils
girls another one hundred and thirty (boys) are
now In successful operation, In two churches, on
Oregon Hill, some Of the children coming more
thaa two miles for the precious Instruction.
It Is the cherished desro Of our Union Presi-
dent, tried and true, - to elevate the condition
of the poor whites Of the South and is not this
movement "a Richmond beginning at the BEGIN
ningf Is 1t not good work to teach any child
enongh Of arithmetic to prevent his being cheated
to write his own letters and receipts, and, above
all, to road his own Bible, so that the way Of
salvation may be open 10 him9
abhor treason, and constantly pass traitor
with as much Indifference as II they We're mo-
human, except when II sudden thought Of Lib
by,' Castle Thunder or Belle Isle,n wake,
mp within me feeling Of bitterness towardi
them which can scarcely repress. But the lit.
tie innocent ehidren--the purest, sweetest thing
In RichmOnd-hOw my heart yearus to them
Are they tO be left to grow up In ignorance, be
nighted enough to be Tashed biindiy into anotbCI
such war; God forbid | appeal to every be,
neyolent heart In the land.
IL seems incredible but II Is true, that thii
movement Is bitterly opposed by TIE self -style0
drtstOcrdcy here, who declare they will mere,
pay a dolLar'S tarss IN support If ires schools!
To the North, then, belongs the great work o
gratnitous institutions throughout the continent.
About the middle Of August hope to be bacl
In my own school in Philadelphia preparatory I,
the roopening in September, where | shall b,
glad to receive money or school books for tn,
cause, as other schools are now in course Of pro
paration.
remain, very respectfully,
MARY E. THROPP,
lSIl Chestnut st., Philadelphia.