Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-02-13
Speech of Hon. John T. Harris.

lie
On Tuesday last in Congress, upon the bill
to establish an educational fund.- aad to apply
one-half of the proceeds of the sales of the
public lands for educational purposes, through
the courtesy of Mr.. Storm, of Pennsylvania,
Hon. Jno. T. Harris, the Representative of
this Congressional District, was yielded the
floor that he might address the House in OPP
position to the bill under consideration. The
speech was good one. We have room only
for the following extracts:
This bill has many conditions in it. and
says that, for the failure of any State to com
My with any of those conditions, the money is
to be withheld, and the State is to forfeit her
right. And, as to this, who is to be the first
Judge? The superintendent of the education.
And which Is the court of last resort? This
Congress. Hence, sir it must be manifest to
every man that this centraiizes power more and
| more into the hands of the Government
oppose this bill, Mr.. Speaker, Tor the
| further reason that 1t undertakes to force upon
the country mixed schools. The gentleman,
under the guise of friendship to the South.
comes like panther With his claws concealed
| beneath bis soft down, and with gentle word,
and professions of love. undertakes to fierce
mixed schools upon an unwilling country.
prove it by the language of the bill, wherein il
states that the schools shall be free for the adj
mission of all children between the ages of sS
aud sixteen years." Now, what will be the eff.
| feet of this in Virginia. where we have sepa
rate free schools? A white school is not free
| to colored children, and colored school is not
| free to white children. Virginia. under hel
present school system. would not be entitled te
one dollar. She has ct this moment tree
&bn I'M. od
States, the white and colored schools being sep
arate and apart, each working in It's owl
sphere. with It's own teachers
1--WE have schools for the two races separate
and apart from each other, each one getting it,
quota of the money, and the people are taxed
and taxed heavily to support them Now
gentlemen want to force us to mix our children
| say it is wrong IN principle, and contrary tt
the laws of God. He has drawn His mark
like the night from the day, clear and distinct
He has made on impossible gulf, which the
gentlemen or the other side seek to bridge over
with this bill. The gentleman who propose:
this does not himself mix socially with The col
ored people. He admits that this question o.
social intercourse is matter of free will and
election"
Here the hammer FELL
Mr.. HARRIS, of Virginia. Will the gentle
men allow me moment longer?
Mr.. STORM. Certainly.
MIR. HARRIS, Of Virginia. | was going on
to say that the question of mixed schools is s
social one. What relation is so absolutely socia
as the mingling of children at school? They
sit Oh the same seat, learn from the same book
recite the same lesson, drink from the aame
cup, and in every respect are as social in theil
relation as brother and sister. Test this doc
trine at your own hearthstone; offer your lutte
children who are not influenced by party or re-
venge social entertaInnent, and tell them
| they must invite as many black as white emil
dren, and see how quick God will speak sEro
| their innocent lips, Then we will have no par
| ty,-we will have no party
If, then, your children will not meet arcunC
| the festive board with the coiorea race, do no
| force ours to meet and mingls with them arount
| the mental board, where the fair haired chilG
must sit side by side with the negro ehildrei
| from six 10 sixteen years. Virginia will do jus
| tiee to the coioged man, but money cannot par
| chase her TO the principles OF this bill. Olte
| to return to her all the rich domain she gav'
you: lay al her feet the procseds OF the publ!
LANDS and the wealth Of the whole country 3
the price Of social equality, and that grand Ok
State, with majestic aian aud escutcheon I'm
furnished, will proudly sag, ;Ve give the col
ored race equal political and legal rights bn
social equality, never! neverl never!
| Here the hammer fell