The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-06-28

we find the following in one of our
Georgia exchanges. It is series of
measures proposed by the people of
Oxford, Miss, and covers the whole
ground in detail, which we meant to
Indicate in our brief article on the
subject. -
In regarding this subject in its re-
hgious point of view, the second pro-
position is extremely appropriate and
touching, and will find response
from many heart in South Carolina:
That the time has arrived when
some measures should be adopted by
the Southern people themselves to
provide the ways and means of edu-
eating the freedmen, is conviction
to which we have been led by the fol-
lowing considerations:
1. This people are now thrown
upon their own resources, in state
of freedom, for which they are to q
certain extent unprepared
2. They consider us, their former
owners, to be now, as we have always
been, their natural guardians and
their hest friends.
.. 1t IS our interest, as we'll as our
duty, to diffuse the blessings of edu-
cation as widely as possible among all
classes of people in our country.
4. If it ever was good policy to keep
them ignorant, it certainly is no
longer SO, but the very reverse.
.. The right of suffrage will, in all
probability, be given to this people
at some future day.
q. Ignorant voters are the cursc of
| our country.
I. If we do not teach them, some
one else will, and whoever thus benc-
| fits them will win an influence over
them which will control their votes.
8. If we perform this service, then,
we shall secure their Identification
with us i'll promoting all our inte-
rests.
So much for policy and interest
the least elevated form of the arg,,-
ment. Let us look at the subject in
its moral bearings.
|. The Church is tho Hght of the
world; it is, therefore, bound 70 illu-
inmate the surrounding region.
There is no special injunction to en-
tighten the white race only, but we
are to ''preaca the Gospel to epe,.u
creature" Search the Scripture" is
the command, not addressed to our
race only, but to mankind God
"commandeth aA men, everywhere,
to repent We are unquestionablv
responsible to God for our influence
and ability to do good ''The poor
ye have always with YOU is the de
claration of our Savior, and, bv his
providential arrangement, we arc con
stantly reminded that We live not for
ourselves alone; the colored race are
now emphatically ''thc poor among
the people,
.. But do we not owe it to them rs
debt of gratitude? We remember
how they, for our sakes, endured heat
and cold, wet and dry, summer and
winter, cultivating our fields, minis
tering to our comforts, promoting
our wealth, improving tho country,
and actually advancing civilization,
by their physical labor; attending
upon us at all stages Of our lives,
nursing onr children, waiting upon
the sick, going with us to the burial
of our dead, and mingling their tears
with ours in the open grave. Can it
be that all this is forgotten? And is
it not small return for all this, that
We are asked to make, when it is pro-
posed that we shall give them that
podicum OF instruction which will
enable them to read, or at least to
know the way of life eternal? 1t is
under the pressure of these and SINH
lar considerations, that few of the
citizens Of Oxford have been moved
to take the initiative in this enter
prise
! We propose the establishment of a
Sabbath School for the oral inst,uc-
ton of the colored people, rs we'll as
to teach them to read. We have or
ganized this school with more than
100 pupils, and twelve teachers.
Regular preaching also is provided
for them by the resident ministers of
the different churches of Oxford. We
desire to enlist in this work all our
fellow citizens, as there is room
enough for all, and work enough for
ALL In such work rs this, no doubt,
the conviction of duty, and tho com
mand of God, should be sufficient
| motives 10 oof,,o3n nc H,,& $40