Smyrna times., 1867-01-30
SCELLAN NEOUS.
Address to the People of Delaware


The title of "The Delaware Association for
the Education and Moral Improvements of the
Colored People ofthe State" sufficiently indi-
Gates its object. 1t has originated in clear and
profound convictions of imperative duty, and
confidently relies upon the sympathy and support
OF all who desire to promote the elevation, hap
piness and virtue Of their fellow men, and the
true prosperity of the State. 1t takes 10 part
in other questions that occupy public atten-
ton, but stands upon its own merits as an en-
terprise Of practical benevoence. We need
not inform you that this large class Of our popu-
lation are wholly excluded from the benefits of
our system OF public education, although not
exempt from taxation, in some shape, for the
public schools. While legislation thus closes
against them the avenues of knowledge and
| improvement, it has visited in their case the
crimes and offences which naturally flow from
ignorance and degradation with excessive and
cruel penalties. Persistence in such glaring
injustice must be attended with grave accoun-
liability, for in the Providence Of righteous
God, every wrong brings sooner or later its
retribution.
The attention recently awakened in behalf
Of this people, has led to extensive and ener-
getic measures. In our Southern States many
thousands are now receiving elementary in
struction, and these efforts have not only been
highly successful in promoting the immediate
object, but have contributed greatly to change
the public sentiment. But while this work
has been going on with marked success and
growing favor at the South, very little has
been done in our own State nothing in fact
commensurate With the need. The associa
tions that have been formed elsewhere have
their eyes fixed upon the vast masses of the
freed people In the planting States, and al
though they would probably respond kindly
and literally to any application that might b.
made, it is felt that the work should properly
be inaugurated and directed by ourselves.
A State organization will secure more accu
It rate acquaintance with the field of operations
o closer and more thorough inspection of tn
schools, more effective and judicious expendi
ture Of means. A noble example has bee
given US of well directed and successful effoI
in our sister and contiguous State of Mary
+, land. In the space of little more than twT
wears. the Baltimore Association has estat
iished about eighty schools containing over 81
= thousand pupils, under a very well-arrange
y and thorough system Of instruction. Appl
,f cations are now made to them for the openin
&, of schools by citizens and large landhoders
re counties where there existed short time sln'
N. the greatest prejudice and opposition; A ia
proportion of the expense has been borne
:, the colored people themselves, small week
ch payment being made by the pupils. We e
pect TO find equal readiness among those rel
dent in our own State But considerable ou
n lay, especially at the commencement, will
unavoidable. The Association should have
.. its disposal an income of not less than :
az thousand dollars. For adequate means '
l.. now appeal TO our fellow-citizens, especially
- those favored with wealth. We hope and
lieve that well conducted schools will do mu
to improve the morals as well as to inform I
minds Of long depressed class that their
huehce viii be eninently favorable to sobrie
,.u integrity, industry and Christian principl
va" and we submit that 1t IL wiser as well as m,
|, humane to prevent or diminish crime than
. rely wholly for its repression upon the bra
hid, and the scourge.
at May we not hope that the following cons
rstions viii commend themselves to cur 10,