Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-11-28
From tho New York Times.
The Education of the Negroes in South
Carolina

IHc Educatlon OIL the negroes In SOulh
Carolina
1t is stated in circular issued with the
sanction Of the New York American Mission
l:ary Association, that there aro-no less than
10000 negroes in Charleston to-day, 1000 Of
whom are of school age. To provide for the
training of these and large numbers Of the
same class throughout the State Of South
Carolina, colored teachers are needed. With
this view a scheme is set on foot to establish
what we take to be sort of Grammar School
or Normal Institute for those freedmen who
may be anxious to become teachers.
We donot know enough of the particular
plan proposed to give it a specific endorse
ment, or to recommend others 10 do so. But
it is significant that the proposal has the
hearty approval Of Governor Orr, of the Ex-
Secretary of the late Confederate Treasury,
G. A. Trenholm, Of Rev. Mr.. Puckney, Rec
tor Of Grace Church, Charleston, and of 9TH
er men of almost equal Standing. Governor
Orr says he heartily approves Of |" the scheme
to educate thoroughly the colored children Of
Charleston" Mr.. Trenholm says he has no
hesitation in expressing his cordial approval
OF the enterprise" Judge George S. Bryan
says he has been "a erati6cd witness" of the
Jealous efforts made TO educate the poor col
ored people of Charleston. This testimony
apart from the merits Of the special insti-
tutc to which it refers, and of which we per-
sonally know nothing-ought to have some
weight, as showing that the representative
white nell of the South are desirous of see
ing the elnancipated blacks elevated above
the condition in which slavery left them and
that they have at heart the advancement Of
-tiIe ff1etirHvn ;-,tirvse-DraucnUs Ur. NEUwie5Eu
which will tend to the improvement of their
social position aud fit them for political en-
lranchisement.
In view Of the experiments which are like
ly yet to be- tried before the great task Of Ma
tonal Restoration is completed, the educated
people Of the South-those especially who
have still Il material stake in the country
can do nothing more polite and wise for
themselves than encourage education among
the negro race by every means in their pow
cr. 1t does not yet appear what limit may
be set to the conditions on which the read
mission of the unrcpresented Statesis to ham,;
but, in any event, it is wisdom, aud wisdom
OF the highest kind, for the dominant race at
tho South to make last friends of their poor
apprehension dependents they will con
tiuue to be. 1t would be On evil day for the
whole country that should sec political par
ty at the North sustaining itself by negro
Southern yoto, as the cid Secession leaders
were SO loag sustained by a sectional vote
here.
The Industrial interests Of the two races at
the South are identical. The one. cannot
suffer without the other suffering also. They
know each ether thoroughly from long and
close association. There is no natural ANITA
gonsm between them. What is wanted in
their new relationship is that it should be-
come as soon as possible like tie relation of
master and servant in other parts of the
couutry the after having. by means of edu
cation and the enjoymcutof equal civil rights,
something like the same chance as the for
mer in the race of life. No better solution.
,han this of putting education, within the
reach of the freedmen, car be found for the
serious problem of recognizing society at
the South in conformity. with the new order
Of things, and of restoring something like real
harmony Of feeling and sympathy between
North and South.