The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-13
The Educational Problem of the Southern
Ctotas

A CERTAIN class OF prOpneCIc statesmen con-
fidently assured the world that the war for
the Union would be nothing more than a tri-
umphal march Of ninety days duration.
And no sooner had they seen their predic
tions falsiied by one OF the longest and
1ercest civil conflicts recorded in history,
than they again betook themselves to prophe-
sying an entire reconciliation of the two
sections of the country within their favorite
period OF three months That they should
again mistake their capacity for anticipating
the course of events has, we think, been a
matter of surprise to no candid student of
history and human nature. 1t is not within
the bounds of reason to suppose that the
animosities and preiudices engendered by
such fearful struggle as that through which
we have Just passed, should dissolve into per-
lect harmony and kindliness the moment
that the military power by which they were
for a time supported had succumbed to
more formidable display OF force. The
whole course of history goes to show that
these animosities and preiudices can be up
rooted only when time has uprooted toe
generation which they characterize. Nor is
even this result to be secured save by incul-
GAZING in the generation which is to follow
the true principles of liberty, equality, and
justice.
The duty Of the loyal North in the premises
is, therefore, plain TO effectually orestal
the erroneous teachings OF the secession ee-
ment of the South, the task OF educating the
rising generation throughout the length aud
breadth of that section must be assumed by
the North. Nor are we at ali likely to
encounter any violent opposition in the ac-
complishment OF this task, when it is once
undertaken on such general scale as to over
awe the more unreasonable spirits OF the
South, who are really weak in point OF mum.
bers, and strong only in their present mono
poly OF the public ear. 1t is true that the
burning OF school-houses and the mobbing of
school teachers is at present indu ged in to
such an extent as to render the labors of the
latter anything but pleasant and safe. Yet
we confidently predict that the mere drbet
of faction which indulges in such pastimes
will quail and disperse. in the face OF general
and formidable movement on the part OF all
parties and sects in the loyal North. All that
is needed to secure success in the end, is con-
cert of action and an unstinted supply OF the
necessary means.
Except among the old slaveholding ele-
ment, which with all its legitimate retainers,
comprises scarcely 1.-THE of the entire popu-
lation, the spirit OF the South has always
been ayerse to education. Before the war
there were at least two millions of whites in
the lately rebellious States who had no know
ledge Of reading and writing IT did not
answer the purposes OF the saveholding
element to educate those men and women,
nor will it answer their purposes to undertake
the education Of their children in the future.
The talisman OF their power before and
during the war was ignorance, and it is not
to be supposed that they will cast aside the
power which it gave them in the new struggle
for supremacy which tney have inaugurated.
The field is, therefore. clear TOR him who
would enter it, as far as The "poor white"
element is concerned.
With respect to the colored portion of the
Southern population, the field is even more
inviting, as the task to be accomplished is
greater and more necessitous. We may as
well spare our efforts in behalf of the adult
"poor whites" Their ignorance to them is
bliss, and to man they are fully persuaded
OF the folly OF all earthly wisdom With their
children alone can we deal with any chance
OF success. But the four millions of poor
and ignorant blacks are in di9erent situa-
ton. They are as loyal as the poor whites
are disloyal, and their thirst ior knowledge is
as great as is the lofty contempt in which the
latter hold il, With old and young alike we
have therefore an opportunity. and our duty
In this respect has no restrictions as to age.
We have said that ali that is needed to
secure success in the end, is concert OF action
and an unstinted supply OF the necessary
means. The question is simply this" How
can both be secured?" Certainly not on the
plan at present pursued. Various denomi
nations of Christians, among whom the
Church OF Rome has thus iar taken the lead
have entered the field. The evident object o
all OF them is twoiold-proselytism goes hanC
in hand with education. They would scatter
the seeds OF knowledge only for the sake o
tho harvest OF souls which they expect Il
roon nc the fruit OF their labors. This methoC
of procedure is opposed to the genius of TIN
aoe and nation. We think every candle
Christian, by whatever denominational cree
ba nrefers to regulate his daily life, will admi
that the education OF the young is best pro
tI,nI al Of 4.