Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1870-07-02

lAig NNEAehANAu VI wa FNpAsN
chools By the enactment Of laws
may result in eBgendeTing
.triie aud contentious, rather than
n promoting the purposes they
subserve.
To arrange a system of education,
to the new condition Of
so as 10 prevent any spirit
or passion from impairlng It's eff
cheney, and yet securing to all equal
advantages and protection, 10 a task
of no light responsibility.
There are yet elements Of discord
in our midst the situation" is not
in all cases cordially accepted the
passions Of the hour have not
wholly subsidized, nor have the pre-
judices Of the past given place to
the decisions of a better Judgment,
and the sympathies Of a better ma
ture /; there are localities ell over
the State, where the enforcement OF
an offensive law would be attended
with the most disastrous conse-
Quences {; there Is material that re.
quires nothing more than the occa-
sion TO rekindle the fires which In
their madness, have msde 30 many
hearths and homes d~esolate. Under
such circumstances, and none will
deny their existence, Is It wise TO
array ourselves against the prevail
ing sentiment on this subject, and
say, by our actions, "We have the
power, and we will use it, regard.
less Of consequences" For myself,
am perfectly willing to accept
the provisions OF the Constitution
and leave its application in the es-
adjustment of one d. more schools
10 the choice OF the people OF
each locality. | consider there is
no question Of principle involved In
this proposition, and certainly be-
lieve in the doctrine that each
school district has the right 10 man
age It's own affairs as il may deem
best for the interest OF all concern.
ed. II would be exceedingly un-
fortunate, ifiu adopting a system OF
education, comprising as it does, SO
much Of the future peace aud pros.
perity fthe State, Il should by any
error on our part prove a failure,
and result in a common injury in
stead OF a common good.
Mr.. Speaker, we are dealing with
facts let us look them full in the
face while il Is comparatively an
easy task 20 ST in this Hall, and
sag, BE Il enacted, etc. | appre'
bend /; is quite another thing to ell
force the execution OF the SAINT
upon an unwilling people; wist
legislation goes han in hand Will
enlightened public sentiment, an(
thus secures respect and acquie
sccnce; while rash and reckless
measures, either excite open hos
tility, or are permitted to sleep upoI
the statute hook. While | hold o.
sacred, every personal and publ
right secured 10 every citizen b.
tie National aud State Constitu
tions, and while would defend tn
same under any and all circumstan
ces, | would seriously ask, 10 il
wise. is il just, is It generous in tn
present sensitive state of publ
mind, 10 press THIS quesGIVn, au,
enact law upon this or any othe
subject, so far in advance of publ
opinion, SIS 10 render 1t repulsiv
and imperative? AS Legislator
tie interests Of the State is IN on
hands, her future is cOn6ded to on
care, aud we shall be credited o
held responsible according TO Ia
results OF our acts IN her behal
I. And here let us not forget that W
are l~egislAting for Mississippi, an
not for Massachusetts.
1t is said that we are largely i
the majority and that those VIII
fail TO sustain the amendment Pre-
posed, will be held responsible I
their constituents. Be that as
may, | must say, that | have nevt
, heard this question publicly discuss
cd until last week, in the Hall. A
a member of :his body, | occup
IN! seat by the partially of moi
than thirty-1ve hundred majorit
OF votes, yet | cannot overlook III
fact that the opinions OF minoritiC
are entitled TO respect aud consit
Grafton. III understand the wishC
OF my constituents, tits not that
should be actuated aud controlle
b. narrow and selfish considers
tions Of partially and prejudice
nor that | should assist In tie er
ae;ment oflaws discriminating be
tween one aud another, but that !
all | do in their names. / shoul
; Insist upon carrying out the pril
ciples embodied in the sentiment
equal ana exact justice to a
men"
Ny duties here do not consist
I iuflaming the passions and excitin
the prejudices Of one class again
another, BY unnecessary agilatio
aud impulsive Legislation. n,
rather be 1t mine TO soothe the irr
| table tone Of public sentiment, an
{ allay the apprehensiOus Of the Fl
= ture by moderate counsels, aud sue
4 legislative measures as shall ten
/ to remove all causes of dissensiol
and unite all divisions into OF
4 common brotherhood Of interes
' We have been separated lor
enough, the history Of the past
enc OF sad aud sorrowful memorie
! having their origin In causes sim
: lar TO those which now threatens u
We are citizens Of a common coui
try, having a common interest |
her welfare.
C 1t is not necessary, it is not RICH
= that we should array ourselyr