The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-09-21
Education of the Freedmen.


We have on several occasions re-
ferred to this subject. Old prejudices
are difficult to overcome, and these
prejudices in relation to this matter,
have been strengthened in no small
degree. from the fact that the North
ern people, under the auspices of the
Government, and the immediate
direction of that incubus, the Freed
mems Bureau, established schools for
their wards, putting over them
teachers who maligned and traduced
the Southern people and taught in
some places, insolence and hatred
more than anything else. On ac-
count Of this state Of things, the
New Orleans Picuyune says the
people felt Il strong repugnance to
negro schools and to the teachers of
such. But reflection has taught the
people in many quarters, that so long
us the negroes are willing to learn,
they will find teachers, and as the
Ptc,u"me remarks, knowledge will not
make them any the less useful or we'll
ordered constituents Of the. commu-
nifty. 1t is to .hc interest of the
white as we'll as the black, that they
should receive tho education which
their own means or the liberality of
others, can afford them. If, then,
these people ought to receive suit
able education for their station and
usefulness in society, the question is,
who shall teach them? The Colum-
bus (MississippD .S'M has an article
on this subject, and on this latter
point says:
We are unhcsitatingly in favor of
educating the freed people. If cdu-
cation brings with it q higher tone Of
morals and 4 greater degree Of civili-
Zation-as it undoubtedly does-to
the white race, there can be no
reason why the same result cannot or
will not obtain with the black race.
This granted, the question presents
itself with great force, who shall be
the instructors Of this latter named
class? All, we think, will agree that
they should he Of our own people.
Now, then, will our people dos it?
To induce some of them to undertake
it here, is the object OF this article E
While all with whom we have con-
VnrSCI tho SnI,1n,f ,,.,{1,
that this ought to bc done, yet the
difficulty presents itself that few, if
any, among us, are willing TO step out
of the beaten track of the past, and
enter upon the new and phllanthropic
one that is marked ont, and must be
occupied by either: Northern or
Southern people:
Beyond the result Of former edu-
cation and habit, . we can see no
reason why some OF our people who are
competent should not undertake this
work We are not aware that it has
ever been looked upon hitherto as an
act bringing social disgrace with it,
or loss of caste, for any of our men or
women to dedicate their lives and
talents i'll the missionary fields of
Africa and Asia. If it was right and
proper in former days for our people
to engage in such good work abroad,
how much more right and proper is
it that Others OF us should engage in
the same kind of work right here ut
home.
The sum and substance Of the mat
ter is embraced in two propositions.
Is it to the advantage of all concerned
that these people should be taught,
and this being admitted, is it not
infinitely preferable that they should
be taught by those among whom they
were reared, than by teachers Of the
Freedmcn's Bureau, or others sent
from the North, whose only prcju-
djces and education are opposed to
our ideas, and are antagonistic to the
best interests of both races at the
South. These propositions are with
the southern people, with all the
lights b,.forc them, to solve for them
selves.
State Items.