The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1866-05-12
Our duty toward Negroes.

The emancipation of the late negro
slaves is ono Of the great events in the
present century. Whether it be right or
wrong is question of the past, the fact
! is accomplished, and we, their late own
ers, have onlv TO consider them in their
new relations. Their total unpreparcd-
ness for their new state, their helpless
and dependent condition, as a matter OF
course, appeals to the sympathy OF all
Christendom. Upon their late owners
however, they have Other and stronger
claims than arise from the general prin-
ciples of philanthropy. We are yet. and
must, while they remain in our midst.
continue to be in closer relation with
them than any outsiders can be. There
fore. their welfare is more intimately
blended with our interest. This fact,
aside from all consideration of past re-
latiOnship, renders it both our interest
and duty to befriend them and aid them
in preparing themselves for their new
life. They need our friendship now
far moro than even they needed the help
of philanthropist, real or mock. When
they were slaves they had enough and
efficient friends. We know them better
than any others can, and when left to
their own impulses they naturally rely
upon their foamer masters.
In view of these facts therefore, it be-
comes our imperative duty to look to
their education. 1t is not only bad poll
cy, but wrong in itself, TO trust these
matters in the hands of imported teach
ers. All of these are incompetent: first
through want of the proper motive; Sc
cond, through ignorance of the negro
character, and thirdly, through lack of
moral competency. 1t is fact establish
cd by reasoning, and borne out by ex-
pericnce, that the men and women who
volunteer as teachers from the North in
the negro schools established throughout
the South, are now, and have all along,
been exercising most pernicious and
dangerous influence over them. An in
fluence which tends to the disadvantage
Of the negroes and the disturbance of the
peace and good order of society.
In very many cases it is the practice
of these imported teaches to indoctrinate
their pupils with the idea that their for
mer owners are their natural and ire
concilable enemies. This state of affairs
must inevitably result seriously to the
injury of the peace, quiet and welfare of
society. Unfortunately for. this, as for
everything else, our State is cursed with
a Legislature so ignorant and debased by
prejudice and fanaticism that it is hope
less to look to them for help. With q
decent Legislature it would be quite
practicable to establish system of adu-
cation for the negroes that would benefit
them and relieve the country from the
bad influence of the foreign teachers
We are glad to see that the subject is at
tracing the attention of our contempo-
rarics of The press, and hope to see it dis
cussed fully and freely. TO us the most
feasible plan seems to be through the in
tervention of the various Christian de-
nominations. These unfortunate people
stand as much in need of moral as men
tai training, and no field of missionary
labor can be more appropriate or more
fruitful Of good results. Each of the
churches in our land has its. home mis-
sion, which might be turned to efficient
use in the training of the young negroes
and fitting them for the duties and re-
sponsibilities that now devolve on them.
Thus will that harmony be promoted
which is essential to our peace and pros
perity as people, and their welfare and
Improvement as a race.
This matter is of vital interest and
pressing importance, and the sooner it is
taken in hand by competent parties in
every community the better it will be
for both whites and blacks.