Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-01-01
EDUcATION OF THE oOLORED
PEOPLE.


Last week small company of gentlemen
were brought together at the residence of
one Of our public spirited citizens, TO hear
some statements from Mr.. King, of Balu-
more, in relation 10 the work of education
among the colored population which has been
so successfully prosecuted in that city and
in the State OF Maryland.
The account which Mr. King gave was of |
such interest that it W as determined by those |
present to take immediate measures 10 com
mence a similar work in Delaware, and an ,
informal committecEas appointed to prepare
plan of organization Of a society for that
end, and to make arrangements for
public meeting, which Mr.. King, Judge
Bond and Maj. General Gregory should be
invited to attend.
On Thursday evening last, Iairly-sized,
large, when the inclemency OF the weather
is taken into aceount--audience made up OF
our most prominent and substantial citizens,
assembled in the Scientific Lecture room OF
the Institute Building. Judge Hall was
called to the chair and DR.. VIM. II. Bullock
was made Secretary Of the meeting.
After some preliminary remarks from
Bishop Lee, Mr.. King, of the Baltimore 3d.
ciety Tor the Moral and Educational improve
mont of the colored people, was called for
Mr. King gave some clear and encouraging
statements as TO the number Of schools es-
tablished, the great interest manifested by
the colored people in sustaining them-some
| $4,000 have been contributed exclusively by
them for this object-and the marked pre-
gress of the pupils. Mr.. King forcibly pre-
scented the value and Importance Of educa-
ton for this portion oil the population, both
for themselves and the country at large.
Judge Bond followed Mr.. King In capt.
tai address, speaking at large of the capabili-
ties of the colored race to receive education,
and detailing the beginnings OF the work
which is now being prosecuted in Maryland
He remarked that at the first meeting on the
subject they were able to gather but thirty
persons and that the first efforts were met
only by storm of opposition and obloquy,
and that whoever entered upon q similar
work must expect similar results 1t had
been prosecuted only in the face OF most bit
ter opposition and persecution; teachers
when they were female teachers-had been
beaten, schools had been broken up and the
whole bay shore Of Maryland had been Ii,
by the fires of burning school houses. Yet
the work hqd been steadily carried forward
to such success that in Baltimore the author.
tiles were now ready to take the schools of
the hands OF the Society inappropriate one
hundred thousand dollars to their support.
Judge Bond spoke at large Of the Difficult
ties and opposition which must be looked
for, opposition from those whose Ignorance
and prejudice could only be overcome by
actual results; difficulties from the feal
and apathy of those who might reasonably
be expected to be alive to the Importance o
the work The clergy had almost wholly
=, declined taking any part init. Heintimatet
C that the same state of things existed here
3 that slavery had never been set before the peo
pie in its true light and that the same Difficult
e ties would be encountered here as IN Mary
e land. Whoever enters upon this work mus
i expect shame and taunts, TO receive obloqu!
c and hatred
e The Judge closed by some encouraging
J. and instructive words to the cOlored peopl
h who made part of the audience.
!. Judge Bond was followed by Maj. Gen
II Gregory, in a very interesting address, Civ
/ ing an account Of the working Of the school
Ii for the Freedmen, under the charge c
il the Freedmen's Bureau In Maryland an
At in Texas, eulogizing as did Judge Bond, tn
| folt ae ~. Al
20 teachers who had the care oil colored school
E. in districts where 1t was almost death to er
le desvor 10 teach negro to read.
At the conclusion of Gen. Gregory's az
rs dress, Rev. Mr.. Altman, In courteous word
e. referring to his acquaintance and associatio
nc with Judge Bond in The University of Ne
IN York, proposed Il vote of thanks to the ge
p. tlemen who had so eloquently addressed Il
lit meeting
Mr.. Altman, in the course of his remark
ed delicately noticed the implication of judi
~ Bond that the clergy here had no; come /
Id to their duty in the matter of slavery and Il
y, eOlored people, and showed that at least f
,e- a number Of years past clear and emphat
tie teachings had been given from the pulpit
relation TO the enormity of human slave
and the obligations resting upon the col
rs munity 10 educate and elevate them to the
BIS true position in society and that preparatil
ID had been quietly but thoroughly made
by the very work which ia contemplated
an this meeting.
he The vote of thanks, was Unanimous
ed passed and the meeting proceeded TO organi
he a society for the moral and educational q
ay vancement of the colored people. A cons
le- tuition was read and adopted and commit
ch, was appointed to nominate officers in acc
air dance with its provisions. On the sugg
ter tion of Mr.. Altman those present who WI
ion favorable to the formation OF the ASSOCIATE
W. were invited to enroll themselves as me
emit bers More than forty gentlemen at OIL
The gave their names.
lch The meeting then adjourned to meet
the the same place on Thursday evening, il
no 3D., at " O'Clock.
hin ----sss.-----
OF THE LEeIsLATURE.-The Legislature
I'M this State will meet at the State Capital
mt day. Our readers will be kept advised of
TO doings of that body by interesting letters
our columns, similar to those which were
ceived with SO much favor during the