New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-11-28
Letter from Ohio.
CINCINNATI, Nov. II, 49,

lam pleased to record that, notwithstand-
inc there is no general law in Kentucky
establishing or rather providing for colored
schools, the City Council Of Covington made
an appropriation of 5000 to aid in maintain
inn a school for the benefit of the colored
youth Of that city.
Democrats and Republicans united on the
massage of this act, which L think augurs
we'll for the future of that benighted State.
A Young, but capable, teacher has been
secured, and under the direction of q Board
Of Trustees appointed by the Council, bids
fair to meet with success this year.
1t is significant in this connection, that
Ohio began at the same point just twenty
wears ago, with this difference in favor of
Kentucky-the first installment of money
has been paid promptly without lawsuit.
Ohio is upon the verge of another import
ant change in her common school laws that
will materially affect the colored youth
throughout the State.
The Taft Bill, of which wrote you last
winter, will come before the Legislature in
January. The main objection is that it takes
from US the privilege of managing our own
schools without comforting the only equiya-
lent we desire-mixed schools. If they are
to remain separate We prefer our own man.
agement.
As being pertinent to this question, 1 APP
pend the remarks of Senator Thurman be-
fore the Liberal Democratic meeting of con-
dolence in Columbus on the 18th instant.
Abiding to the fact that Ohio must, in the
spring, elect members to a convention to re-
wise, alter, or amend the constitution, he
said:
"There arc school questions to mention,
but one Of them, growing out OF the exist.
ence of white and black races, how certain
10 it that it will create discussion? The
Supreme Court has, as he understood, de-
cided that there is nothing in the Federal or
State constitutions to prohibit the Legisla-
tre from maintaining separate schools for the
two races. But this does not satisfy the
celored people. 1t is not sufficient, IN their
estimation, that their children be educa-
ted. They have political as we'll as legal
equality, and what they now demand is
social equality, and they are in condition to
make their demand respected by the Radical
party. That party owes its success in the
late elections to their votes. Without
those votes Grant would not have been
elected for, as 1t scould seem from such re-
turns as re hare, majority Of the schite men Of
that beginning scith 1869 the Radicals hare car.
ned Ohio many years by means Of the colored
rote. When, therefore, the colored voters
demand that all distinctions in schools shall
be abolished and that white and colored
children shall all be seated in the same pub
lie school, it will be difficult for the Radical
leaders to refuse the demand. But whatever
may be the merits of this question, the people
will surely have opinions upon it that cannot
fail to find expression"
Senator Thurman spoke the truth concern
ing the colored people of this State. We do
demand of the Republicans mixed schools,
and We shall continue to demand until we
get them. We do not ask social equality,
but in all things regulated or controlled by
the State, we demand that there shall be NO
especial legislation for or against us.
Upper tendon in Cincinnati is very indig-
nant at my late letters to tho ERA, and boils
over with rage that ga native should ridicule
his own home" am well aware that $50
ciety seldom forgives those who discover the
emptiness of its pleasures, and who can live
independent of it and them" have be-
come famous, or perhaps better as they
would have it, notorious, and it is now quite
the fashion to discuss the articles of the sub
scriber and refute them by calling hard
names. Well, am most willing sacrifice
fthey choose to view it in that light.
A few weeks ago and all tho "ton" were
circulating autographs albums and obtaining
sentimental compliments from everybody
who could write his name without sticking
his tongue out. looking over some of them
Twas gratiied and surprised to see the evil
dences of culture exhibited in their selec
tons, but you can imagine my astonishmen1
and chagrin to learn shortly after, that
friend of mine had loaned Watson's Die
tionary of Poetical Quotations until it was
nearly worn out. All the culture emanatet
from that book.
Permit me to thank "Pallas" for the rcall.
good naturcd manner in which she, it, o
snCy Idhcu luc OVcT CuC ColiSs l. Jul pap
basket must have received the efforts OF sew
eral correspondents anxious to distinguish
themselves by annihilating me. l sugges
that they club together and they may sue
coed in expressing on paper the general how
Of rage and fury with which they denounc
my articles. The idea that one should dar
exhibit or expose the contemplate frauds q
his own home, even with a view of trying
have them corrected, is, with them, an unpal
donable sin.
BY the way, would here remark, parer
thetically, that the literary (?) circles mer
toned in my letters do not embrace all til
intelligence of Cincinnati within their charme
ring. did not apprehend such construt
ton until the anachronistic correspondent
the Galveston Standard showed it to be POI
sible.
really thought to do Straker kindness
but he gets insulted. He is indignant, an
wakes wroth. He calls names. He is mac
mad! Lord forgive me that should drive
fellow creature mad. Woe, woe, is me. Il
heaves spellin' book latin at me, defies m
challenges to discussion.
Well, as he insists upon it, will choo'