The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-08-10
EducntEnn or the colored People.

Educntknn OF the Colored People.
Education may not, in some cases,
be preventive of crime, but, as the
handmaid of Christian civilization, it
exercises, among all classes, a salutary
influence, whatever may be the sta
ton OF its recipients. 1t is that,
holding these views, we advocate a
fitting education for the colored peo-
pie among us 1t is especially neces-
sary, in their new relation to the
communities in which they reside, as
a.check to licentiousness and demo
ralization, which, without it, are the
natural consequences. of sudden
change from bondage to freedom.
We are gvatiied. to notice, in the
Chester Standard, short account Of
the examination of two eolored
schools in that town, last week,
which appear to have been quite or
derly-the Standard only objecting to
the wearing of swords by some of the
marshals of the preliminary process
sion, which, of course, was not in
good taste. But what interests US
most was the spirit and matter of
several addresses, delivered by CO.
lored mon, on the occasion, to those
assembled to witness the exercises.
Our ootemporary informs IFS the
subject of education was discussed.
and its great Importance warmly nd
vocated. Further, the several speak
ers were unanimous in their con-
demnation of the various emigration
schemes, and advised their hearers to
remain at home, under the care and
protection of their former masters.
Temperance. industry and honesty
we're especially enjoined, and polite
ness to the whites urged as a matter
OF duty and propriety.
We are gratified to read such
teachings as these to the colored peo-
pie from the more intelligent of their
own race. They will doubtless be
beneficial The proper training and
education of the freed people is a
matter Of more importance to the
whites among whom they reside, and
with whom they are more or less con-
nected In the discharge of their ap-
proprlate duties, than is generally
supposed. If these peeple conclude
to remain at their former homes.
their education and moral training
VIII become donbly important, to rem
der them useful and industrious mem
berso the community, in their re-
spectiye spheres of duty.
But this training and education
should be the work of our own peo-
pie, who should make the necessary
provision for that purpose. They
know their habits and temperaments
better than any strangers, be they
ever so competent and honest, can
possibly know them. The education.
moreover, will hot be liable to be
warped by prejudice, or diverted from
Its legitimate objects and purpose
tbeelevation of the mental capacity of
the pupils, and the fitting for their
stations In life. Having learned TO
read, they will in most cases turn to
their Bibles, where they can learn
their duty TO God, to their fellow
men and to themselves; having learn
ed to write and to understand the
Of arithmetic, they will make
better tradesmen, artizans and me-
chanics. Let this education be so
that they may under
stand it is solely for their own benefit,
and' thus untainted by anything sa-
vonng of a natural hostility between
the races, or by extraneous and hurt
inl doctrines. we may. ere long, have
among us an efficient class of co.
workers, if they determine to remain
with us. in rebuilding the shattered
fortunes Of our section and in the
Development Of her vast resources, in
which work both intellect and d1nnscle
are very necessary nstrumentalities.
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