Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-03-19
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE PEABODY FUND.

i Editor Enquirer About the close of the late
war, wealthy American, who had long resided in
England, came to the United States on visit, and
gave several millions of money, for the education
of Southern children. Trustees were appointed
who are to hold this fund.- the interest of which is
to be used to aid in the education of the children
of the South. Dr. B. Sears, who was for a long
time President of one of the leading institutions
of learning at the North, was appointed General
Agent to apply this money He has settled in
Staunton Va, and is actively engaged in the cause
of education at the South. A'@ ~
| This gentleman, having been solicited to aid in
the cause of education in Yorkville, made brief
visit to our town last week. As stated in your
paper of last week, he met some of the officers of
our town, and other friends of education and ten
dered assistance in the cause of education in this
place. The Trustees of this fund do not propose
to build up schools of their own, but to put the
money in the hands of the municipal authorities of
towns and cities and let them use it in connection
with the means raised for free education in these
places They propose to give, annually, t,oo Jfihs
of whatever amount is necessary to pay for the pri
mary education of all children needing assistance,
if the citizens of the place will raise the remaining
three JJths It was estimated that $1,000 would be
necessary to open free schools in this place. DR..
Sears promised to give $40O this amount, while
the citizens are to raise $500. E5g
The Trustees have no control over the schools
which they assist, but commit all into the hands Of
the town or city authorities to bemanaged as they
think best. All that they are required to do, is
to comply with the conditions in raising their part
of the money This is very fair and fortunate
design. Children, both white and colored, are
to reap the benefits of this fund but the town au-
thorities are at liberty to have separate schools for
each, and to decide what proportion shall be ap-
piled to each. .-.-
Such is the general system according to which
the Peabody Fund.- stobsased. Such prop
ostion is now awaiting decision on the part Of
the citizens of YorkviIe. 1t is for them to say
whether they will accept the assistance offered and
make an effort to educate the hundreds of children
and youths Of our town, or refuse to cooperate
and let them grow up in ignorance.
Difficulties may be apprehended by some, in re-
gard to the division Of this money between the
whites and the colored; but the authorities who
control the schools and money will certainly have
wisdom sufficient to adjust that matter. If the
colored people and their friends raise one half of
the $500, any one would decide that half of the
$4OO from the Peabody Fund should be applied to
the education ofcolored children If they raise
one third of the $500, then let them receive one
third of the $4O0; and so on in this proportion.
The authorities of the town, can, if they choose,
arrange for the free education of children, with
teachers of existing schools in the place, or they
can open public schools, free to ALL if they think
proper. Should our people decide to take hold of
this matter, it would seem to be much wiser
course to open at once, two public schools, one for
the whites the other for the colored people. They
should be primary schools of the best order, in
which the foundation of a good business education
may be laid in the minds of the young, in as short
time as possible. ... .. ..s.....
There should be an educational board appointed
to cooperate with the Town Council. It should
be the duty Of this board to examine the teachers,
and to carefully inspect the management and pro-
ress Of these schools These schools should be
free to all-both rich and poor, high andlow. They
should be under such thorough system of govern
ment, that no child should suffer from being in
school with interiors, but that inferior children
might be fast elevated in manners and morals.
May the time speedily come when not only York