Litchfield enquirer., 1868-02-20

NEGROES AND THE HIGHER STUDIES. So far as any test has been made, the negro intellect, in the matter of scholarship, does not appear to be inferior to that of the Caucasian. Here in New York, we have oolored public schools, in which as intelli- gent eyes stare at the visitor as in any of our pals-faced Schools. The teachers, too, assert, without exception, that they can see no distinction between the two races of children. Nor is there any distinction be- tween different shades of color. It hap pens, at the present moment, that in the oldest colorcd school of the city, on Mul- berry street,we believe, the brightest schol- ar has about the blackest face.
 Leaving the simple branches of common school education, we find nothing against the negro wherever he has an opportunity to engage in the higher studies. Professor Bower of the Lincoln University of Ox- ford, Pennsylvania, declares that he finds no lack of ability among colored students in the highest course of instruction. He refers to this subject as follows:
 "Of course do not think the African superior to the Anglo-Saxon: but this I must say, that I find no difference in their hearing a class recite in the Anabasis, who 
 they recite as we'll as any class ever heard. And so with all their studies Their deep earnestness enables them to accomplish wonders sometimes Last Wednesday one of the literary societies celebrated it's an- niversary, with essays and orations, in the university chapel, and the performances were just as good, both in manner and matter, as those you generally hear from college students One of them, by the name of Grimkie, who came here two years ago, just out of slavery, was thrillingly, powerfully impressive
 Whether the power to acquire knowledge be equal in the two races, is not an essen- tial question. Whatever our opinions may be, the negroes must be given, honestly, the advantage of what tests we have had. Leaving out the question of "equality," !" we must recognize the fact that negroes are very capable of learning, and that no true man or woman can wish any thing done to discourage them.--N 7. NoiI
 Senator Patterson's bill, removing all special department agents and requiring all subsequent appointments to be confirm ed by the Senate, will effect great saving in the government expenses and send a great number of mere political runners back to private life. In proof of the abu- ses which have been committed in this branch of the service, the senator recites that in 1864 the secretary of the treasury was authoized to appoint three special agents, in 1866 an indefinite number was allowed and now he has 316 in his employ costing several hundred thousand dollars l per annum, and of whom pine out of ten could be readily dispensed with. In his speech in support of bill, Thursday, MT. Patterson mentioned special treasury treasury agent who had black maileda cit. izen of Chicago to the amount of. a hun. l dred thousand thousand dollars, and who IS said to have made between thirty-ive and fifty thousand dollars within twent, days. Senator Patterson is also on the track of similara abuses in the diplomatic and consular service, and will soon intro duce bill for their reform. .f...-. .=.' @.'