, 1866-11-21

those . no we're able TO do this were YcrJ
iew indeed, aad the great mass of the black
population Of the South we're kept In utter
and absolute ignorance. But for the rcbel-
lion such would have been thclr condition
to-day. Light aud knowledge for the black
man followed tho Stars and Stripes, but
within the Nmits OF the Southern Con-
fedcracy all Was darkness md ignorance.
Yet It seems to astontsh the
editor from whom We have quoted. that the
blacks should prefer Northern teachers. We
should like to hare him tell how many
Southern "gcntlcmen have offered their
services In competition with the Northern
men and women who have gone South, to
open the treasures Of knowledge to the
blacks. Those who 60 on this mission of
mercy, 70 will, the distinct understanding
that they will be Stunned aud hated by the
whites OF the South that they must endure
social ostracism, and consider themselves
fortunate II, escaping insult, and rio-
lence, they arc permitted peacefully
to prosecute their selfeacs111cing labor OF
love and CHARITY. Is It not strange, indeed,
that the negro should look up with con!l-
dence and hope to these strangers, who bear
the cross Of scurn and hatc for his sake,
rather than to the Southern gent!eme.,' II
who only few months since would have
esteemed it proud plume iu their caps tc
engage in the mobbing OF hanging Of t
"nigget schoo1nlaster
Since The close Of the war, nothing In:
been done by the so-callel governments o
I the reconstructed States fur the education @
this large class Of their population. Til
Government, with wisdom aud sound polio.
| that do II infinite credit, established freed
mems schools wherever the Tag was pcrma
ncntly planted on the territory of the rebel
lion; aud tens of thousands Of negroes, VIII
were utterly ignorant before, have obtaine
in these schools good primary education
Private Efforts and contributions have als
accomplished g4cat good in this direction
and the noble work goes on, In spite Of th
hostility Of the dominant class In the Soutt
The only way for the South to stop th
work Is TO make 1t unnecessary. The INT
ment It is known that the States proyid
proper educational facilities for the black
that moment will ssYankec school marm=
and 'sYankee parsons" Of whom the Sout:
ern editors often complain as the wor
plague of the South, cease to labor In th
missionary field. But it yet remains Il
I'LL unscconstructed State to take IN eltc
i've step in this direction. tt
Constitution of Louisiana, adopte
by loyal men, before Mr.. johnson had SD
rendered tho State to tho rebels, rcquis
tho establishment Of common schools 4
the benefit Of all The children Of The Stat
between tue ages OF six anl sixteen, wit
out distinction Of color. Yet this repuir
, n,ent OF the Constitution las been utter
. disregar&sed by the rebel Legislature, whis
alone has power 10 carry 1t into effect !; aud
= that State, as elsewhere, the great and nece
,, | sary work Of educating the blacks is ie
. wholly to the Government OF the Unit
States and 10 the charity Of the North. II
so.cuIled Governor Of Alabama,
his recent message, declarcd the subject "
Huc to which The State should not be who!
indifferent. But he madc no recommend
, tion, either special or general, Of 9 plan
= education for tho blacks. We are inclined
! think that until the South takes hold Of Il
> work with an honest aud earnest purpose
> accomplish it, tue ncsroes will con1innc
= labor under he "Ielusion' spoken of by t
;, Southern editor, ''us to those who arc til
. | resi- friends"