The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-01-05
AMENDMENT OF SCHOOL LAW.

THE Society of Friends, who are al
ways foremost in every good word and
work, have sent to each member of the
Indiana Legislature the following JUST
and RIGHTEOUS Memorial, asking for an
amendment to the School Law in con-
formity to the requirements of the State
Constitutions:
ITO the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives Of the State of indiana:
THE Memorial of Indiana. early Nee
ting of the Religious Society Of Friends,
by their Represen tativa Meeting, held
in Richmond, on the 4tll of Eleventh
Month, 1868, respectfully represents:
That, as a religious body, we accept,
as simple truth, the declaration of the
Holy Scriptures, that, God 'shath made
Of one blood all nations of men, for to
dwell upon all the face of the EARTH"
(Acts 16-25) and that GOOD is no
respecter of persons; but in every ma
righteousness is acceptable with Him."
(Acts 1O-34-5).#
AS citizens, we have unhesitatingly
accepted, as true, the sentiment, contain
ed in the Declaration of Independence
and reiterated in our State Constitution:
"That all men are created equal; that
they are endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienable rights; that among
these are life, liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness Therefore, we believe, all
those clauses in our State Constitution,
which discriminate between Whites.
and those of our citizens who are demo
minated Negroes and Mulattoes, are con
trary to the great principles which lie
at the foundation of our Government,
and at variance with the revealed will of
Cod and we respectfully request the
Legislature to take imm ediate steps, in
accordance with the method prescribed
| by the Constitution, to expunge all such
articles thercfrom.
8. Recent events. have shown that our col
ored citizens are eminently loyal; that
they appreciate our excellent Govern
ment; and that they are willing to make
many sacrifices to sustain it.
The abolition of Slavery, the enact
ment of the Civil Rights Bill, and the
notification of the Thirteenth Article
of the Constitution of Indiana, forcibly
illustrate the changed, and changing SEN
timent concerning this class of our fell
low citizens. They have become a grea
ter power, both in Society and in the
State; and every consideration of justice
and policy demands that they be educa
ted, and thus elevated to higher plat
/ form.
It is, therefore, in accordance with
what we believe to be our duty, as Chris
tian citizens, to respectfully, but earn
! estly ask the Legislature to so amend oul
School Law, as to extend its require
ments and benefits to the colored people
Of the State.
Not only is it unjust and impclitic tc
deprive them of the benefits Of The
School Fund, but it is, also, we submit
clearly in violation, both of the spiri
and letter of our State Constitution
Article 1st, Section Odd, Of the Con
stitution is as follows: The Genera
Assembly shall not grant to any citizen
or class of citizens, privileges or immu
mites, which, upon the same terms, shall
not equally belong to all citizens"
And the Congressional Civil Right
Bill, says "All persons in the Unite
States, and not subject to any Foreig1
Power, excluding Indians, not taxed, ar
hereby declared citizens of the Unite
States"
Again the Constitution declares i
unmistakable language, that it is the DIT
of the State to provide for the educatio
! of all classes of the community.
Article 9Th, Section 1st, is as follows
acknowledge and learning, generally di
fused throughout community, being es
sential to the preservation of a fire
Government, it shall be the duty Of til
General Assembly, to encourage, by a
. suitable means, moral intellectual, SC
entific and agricultural Improvement
and to provide, by law, for genera an
uniform system of Common Schools
wherein tuition shall be without charge
and equally open to all
If the Schools are to be ''equaly ope
to ALL" how can any class be constitr
tionally excluded
Again More than two and one fourt
millions of dollars Of the School Fun
of this State, arose from the proceeds {
the sale of the Sixteenth Section of Ian
in each Of the Congressional Township