The Hickman courier., 1869-05-15
3Pity but thE s. .:,-had lived

:<7 These old fogies who made the
very basis of our government, aud which
tests upon the virtue and intelligence OF
he people, did not think it "nonsense" tC
provide for the education of the poor
I IF the fifteenth amendment to the Con
stitution of the United States is adopted
or if Kentucky is reconstructed, "ths
school will be open to the negroes" Thi:
is one of the objections made by the op-
ponents of education, appealing directly
to the prejudice and passions of the peo-
pie, to cause them to loose sight of their
own interest, and vote against the tax
The eternal negro has been the hobby OF
the politicians, North and South, for the
last forty years. He has fired the South
and poisoned the North. He has caused
mighty armies to rush madly to battle,
rivers of blood has been shed, and mil
lions of treasure spent. The clash of
arms has ceased, the negro is free. The
old causes which made him the hobby no
longer exist. But another use is made
of him pow. The people of Kentucky
are about toiadopt measure that viii
hang up the lamp of knowledge at the
fireside OF every cottage ana mansion In
the State, and this does not suit the con-
venience of the educational monopolists.
If the poor people should become edu-
ucated, then wealth might cease to be
power. Therefore the school tax must
be defeated. The people must be thrown
into fit of niggerphobia and dosed heav-
lily with demagogueism. But suppose
the amendment becomes a part of the
Constitution and the negro becomes vo-
ter, will this put him in the schools? The
negroes Of Kentucky could not cast over
30, 600 votes. the Radicals have 35 1000,
and both together could not command
but 90, 900 votes against 10000 demo-
cratic votes. Am l to understand that
10000 democrats in Kentucky will join
the Radical and negroes, and thus give
them the control of the State aud admit
the negroes to school equality with them
selves?
But Kentucky may be reconstructed,
says these alarmists and croakers, and
under military rule the negroes may be ad-
mitted to school privileges" Yes, and the
world may come to an end in twelve months,
and therefore, farmers should put in no
crops this Spring; nor their wives plant
any gardens. The house may burn down,
therefore do not build il. The train nsag
run on the track, therefore never put your
foot on the cars. And there is just as much
probability, at this fsg end of the recon
struetien sensation, that Kentucky will be
reconstructed, as that the world will end
this year; and that the train viii run off
the track and kill The certain passenger; or
the certain house will barE-and that is
next 10 none 1T all
WhX,net stop building NAiroads on the
same ple, for fear that negro equality
will ed on the white passengers
Thy building churches for fear il
1011 kRZel Why.not destroy our
Yak up our government,
III get into the Legis-
Hate offices Simply
p=-=>Rp sense left
folly, AID small
nrnon sense will cure
i Toily gotf6g for
e OF the whites fOrs
kome IN for share u
{xzas dagger Of tA- r. ...-
= ,-z,zrty in power, sand the |
neg Ak in the estimate of the par |
tx should we be scared out of
ou y such IN improbability7 Our
duty - inquire what 80 ght and need |
full, an shout fearand s<cillation, go for |
wardan99do it.
The school law which. submits this ques-
fion of additional tax TO the people, pro- |
vides that only the property of trhite people |
shall be taxed, and white children only |
shall receive the benefit of the tax The |
negro is not taxed to pay for the schooling |
Of white children, but is taxed 81 per capita |
for education of his own children, Icannot |
see the negro in the wood pile. l believe |
universal education necessity to q repub- |
lican government. We can only mainta in |
our liberties through the virtue and intelli- |
gence of the people. Education is the COM |
panion CT Christianity, and is more pre-
cious than jewels, and more valuable than |
the cattle upon . thousand hills. The law |
of demand and supply has never furnished |
education to the masses, and since private |
enterprise has failed TO give il to US, think |
the State should do it, / am, therefore, in |
favor of the new tax / here extend the |
hand of friendship to Nc, and assure him |
[ regret that have not the pleasure Of a |
personal acquaintance with him. I know |
there IS music in his soul. can tell it from
the rattle of his pen. If have hurt him
from " behind the log" it has not been in
any spirit Of unkindness, but merely as o
matter of argument. ALBERIQUE.