The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-05


THE FUND IN THE SOUTH.
The Baltimore Gazette publishes the following
letter from DR.. BaI mas Sears:
George Peabody RUSSELL ESQ., Secretary Peabody Education
Fund:
Nh Dear Siy-The article in the Gazette of this
morning, to which you have called my attention,
is a singularly perverted statement of the facts,
which can only be attributed to want of correct
information on the part of the editor OF that
paper
In the first place, it sheuld be known that in de-
termiDing the policy Of the board in the distriou
ton of this fund, ii was apparent from the vast
number Of applications which were earnestly
pressed upon Them. that any attempt to embrace
all the various classes OF educational Institutions
in the South would terminate the labors of the
trustees and the fund together in less than single
year, and that such distribution over 80 extended
. field would make such an insignificant pittance
to each class as TO render Mr.. Peabody's gift
almost valueless to the recipients themselves.
Ii was, therefore, determined at the outset that
no sectsiisD or partisan institutions of any descrp
ton should be regarded as coming within the de-
sign Of the founder Of the fond. But In conformity
with his expressed purposes and wishes, il was
decided to aid in giving the benefits of rudi-
meDtary education to the greatest number Of
children through the agency Of common and nor
NAL schools. To accomplish this assistance has
been given as far as practicable In the establish.
ment and maintenance Of public free schools, in
of the whole people, and by the agency Of the
public authorizes, who are responsible to their
constituents.
In carrying out this plan and purpose OF the
trustees. have invariably consulted, in all the
eleven States have visited, with the public an.
thorities and the leading citizens of each comma
nifty. The author Of the article in the Gazette has
evidently overlooked the fact that the report upon
which he comments refers only TO the States visi-
ted by me during the last season, and that nv
af he at aar fha firoy nd
of the other States, which he supposes had not
been visited or aided at ALL In all these comma.
mites have been encouraged and assisted by the
counsel and enjoyed the concurrence and approval
of the most distinguished and cultivated gentlemen
Of the South, in their respective localities. whose
judgment and motives, am sure, would command
the unquahed respect ana confidence Of tbs edi-
tor OF the Gazette, and of all who share in his mis-
apprehension Of the facts referred to-
With respect to the two cases cited in the article
1t s only necessary for me to say that the school
Charleston referred TO, which was a charity
school mostly for the benefit Of the freedmen,
came within The class of UNCONVENTIONAL schools,
and that, with the advice both OF Gov. Aiken, a
member Of the board, and don. Mr.. Memminger.
member of the cabinet In the Southern Confed-
erscy, and now president Of the school board OF
Charleston, The application was not granted. 1t
may also be added that the e has been appropria.
TED to the city Of Charleston under the advice OF
Gov. Aiken, The sum OF $500.
The case Of the sschool at New Orleans de-
scribed by the editor as of like character with that
at Charleston, was special school, under de.
nomiDa,ional patronage, and OF course, for the
same reasons. excluded from q participation 10
the fund. A sum of $1,000 has been appropriated
| for that city. under the advice and approval OF
| bon. Edward A. Bradford, member Of the board
Hon. r. "a. Lusher, state superintendent OF public
instruction during the existence of the Confeder.
acy, and Mr.. Rogers. the superintendent of the
city schools of New Orleans.
With this correction of the facts desire only 10
express my thanks, for which this gives me fitting
Opportunity, 10 the numerous friends OF pubic
education throughout the South without dstinc-
ton OF parties or sects, who have given me their
earnest cooperation in all my lab0rs. Among
them are many whose political opinions coincide
with those OF the editor Of the Gazette who will
be as much surprised as am by the imputatiou
upon the trustees or their agent that the distribu
ton OF this fund has been in any instence or 10
any degree, prompted by different spirit or mo-
tive than those which the editor claims-and
which the trustees intend-shoud govern its 40.
propiations, namely. the best interests of the en-
tire people Of the Southern States. / am, res
pectfuily and truly yours, B. SEARS,
General Agent P. L. Fund.
BALTIMORE, Jan. 24,1-69.