The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1873-05-14
Education Only Can Save US.

In all our troubles, political and hnan-
cfal, we have none which should distress
us, as a people, SO much as the fact that
thousands of children are growing up in
our midst, destitute of educational ed
vantages,
Those who are parents should fesr the
future OF our country, more On this &C
count, than any other. Education is the
only safeguard Of liberty, of morality,
and If we longer n~egleetto provide schools
for the education of our children, aud en-
force their attendance, when schools are
organized, we are indeed eriminally neg
lectful.
The writer of this believes that the
Caucasian race is superior to any other,
in intellect, although we are an advocate
of universal education. To ug, and to all
of our race, except perhaps those who de-
light in u degradation as q people, be-
cause of prejudice against us, II would in-
deed be a sad thing to witness the child
rem of to day, when grown, applying to
negroes, with the request that they reads
letter for them, or do some necessary
writing. What! Alb, the very thought of
this should make you startle. Such will
inevitably be the case, if our people do
not instantly arouse themselves from this
indifference to education of the young. 1t
must be borne 10 mind that to-day about
every negro child in the country is learn
ing to read. o d that if public schools are
not provided for them, that their parents.
from their daily earning, secure private
teachers for their children.
On the contrary, sad to say, not one
Of the white children of Louisiana
are able TO read or have ever been sent to
school, nor are u people making n
preparations to bring about a change in
this respect.
Shame on you'll parents of Louisiana.
II the poorest negroes in the land are able
10 educate their children, there is not the
excuse for you to neglect this
lll-important duty toward your own.
We grant that 10 the formation of school
boards and the establishment of public
preference has been shown to
for political prospects, but when
bis fact wGs discovered, and it was seen
hat the blacks we're being elevated above
be whites, it should nerve all citizens of
caucasian blood 10 exert themselves to
utmost to at least secure equal
educational privileges for their children.
We are no alarmlst, we have perhaps
'aveled more extensively throughout the
tate than most OF DIR citizens, and we
. made sad to know that all we sag here
too true. l
We do net write this article to encen-
X feelings against the education Of col
d people, for, as we said ID the outset, !
3 are in favor of universal education !
1t We do not wish 10 see 4 noble people !
degraded that those who are By ma !
their interiors shall 90 elevated SO as
become their superiogs. t
Bear in mind thai We alI have d duty TO {
rform in this respect Some of US may $
able to educate our 0trn children, but !
less the education Of white chiIar Il is c
universal as is shat 81 col0red ones, on b
scendants will be p9werless, and the
I who are educated cannot stem the :
dragging with them the many who
wholly iliiterate. Il
pause 3 moment and ask G;
I~rselves. what will become Of @
children and country. when Is
Cd by q class Of people vho hare q