The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-08-21
Education of Freedmen.

EducaCl0n OF Ereedmen.
The Galveston Neus has a very sensible
article respecting the obligations of the
South to the freedmen. Referring to tho
operations of the "American Freedmen's
Union Commission" Chief Justice Chase,
president, the Neaos remarks as follows !:
We hear of good deal being done for
the education of the freedmen at various
places by the people of the South; yet we
have no doubt that the unsettled condi-
tion of affairs and the general poverty pre-
vent the South from giving this subject a
sufficient share of attention. This being
the case, perhaps there would be no inn
propriety in accepting the offer of aid from
the society above named, solely for tho
purpose of establishing and carrying on
schools for the freedmen. We have no
doubt that any community which desires
a school for freedmen could contribute
something to that end, furnishing house
and teacher, if nothing more, and that rep
reservations to that effect would secure
tho additional aid that might be needed.
There should be no bacllwardness in this
matter, because we all admit that the
freedmen must bo educated, that the South
should contribute as much as possible to
that object, and that there is no reason
why the benevolent in all parts OF this
country and of Europe should not unite in
the work. Union in matters of this kind,
which should have nothing to do withpol-
itics, might do much to break down pre-
udice, to make the people of all sections
better acquainted, and to bring the bles-
sings Of peace and prosperity upon the
land
The South has nothing to lose by pur-
suing conciliatory and high-minded
course on all matters connected with the
interests of the freedmen. 1t is univer-
sally admitted that they served quite as
we'll as could have been expected during
their slavery; that their conduct during
war was not only unexceptionablc but
highly praiseworthy, and that their bear
inr since then, considering all the circum-
stances, has not been unworthy of their
past record. True, political excitement
has injured them, but not yet to the ex-
tent that might have been expected, and
the heinous crimes recently committed by
some of the more depravcd should not be
permitted to njure our estimation of the
race. But We need not write on this SUBJ
jcct as though there were any necessity
for exhortation or argument so far as the
welfare of the colorcd people is concerned.
There can be no doubt whatever that the
white people of the South arc the true
friends of the freedmen. Nothing has
happened to destroy the affection for
them which was produced by the domes-
tic relations of the past, and we believe
there is nothing which our people would
not do to help the freedmen in the proper
discharge of the duties of their new stu
alton. If anything be lacking, it is Who'll
y the result Of circumstances; and this is
our only reason for suggesting the co-ope-
ration to which we have referred.
1t is generally believed, we know, that
the people of the North and South cannot
"get along" together in the education of
the freedmen, and that the Southern peo-
pie would do better in that matter if the
Northern people were to leave it alone
This, however, is not to be expected. The
North will concern itself on the subject,
whether we do or not, and we therefore
submit that it might be sound policy for
us, both with reference to our relations to
the freedmen and to the other sections of
the Union, to take the ground that the CO.
operative is the right method of doing the
work. The North is perfectly able to con-
tribute; it is alike her duty and her pleas
ure to do SO and even if some unpleasant
IA.
from our cooperation, tits altogether like
ly that these would be as nothing COM
pared with the better efforts which may
reasonably be expected to follow. This
is the age of associated effort, and it is
only in proportion as men overcome
apathy and prejudice in favor Of this pol
icy that they need expect to prevent the
most serious evils. Nothing can be effect
ed by aloofncss, or standing on dignity /;
but almost everything may be accom-
pished by the benevolent energy which
fulfills it's desire OF doing good to others
by seizing for that purpose every help
that may be offered.
We are strongly impressed with the be-
lief that by waking up fully on all sub
jects of this kind, the South might, with
out any sacrifice of principle, do great
deal to prevent threatening evils and ef-
feet corresponding good. THUS the as
pcrities and passions Of politics would be
soothcd down, misconceptions and prcju-
dces, antagonism Of race and section, full
of bad portent, would be removed, and
all the blessings Of peace and order Sc
cured in the place of agitation, anarchy
and destruction.
AuGIIsTA- -Ann 13