New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-02
Of the COIOrcd People

Efforts are being put forth by leading col
orcd men in all parts ot the | utcd States
for the general Improvement aud elevation ut
the race in this country. They differ only IA
respect To the place "t heg,3uinG aud the
modes of operation hich certain Is are ma
tcrill points ThrtI friend, among the whites
have tn Same gtucra! desire i'r the r.r,I-
tion of the race; but they. too, differ in Ike
manner about the place, time, an methods
Now all real aud substantial elevation
among men, whether IN religion, ~UrlI, 60
C"llcnccs, or politics, is founded on utril-
gcncc. Hence it follows that tn correct
place to begin at in efforts to clcvItn the col
nrcd people = the school house. The enemies
ct the race who know the irresistible higher
claims OF Intelligence, are and always have
been strongly opposed 10 all measures which
aim ut giving thorough education 10 the
black man II they see they must yicid
their next step i To have the school ~ Iuir-
rior or "a much embarrassed aS possible, 80
that it, results may Toe rs iucon-idcrablc a,
possible.
Mind, everywhere, regardless of race CT
color, asserts its authority; its right To-
shape and rule over matter. II Is the Oh
est and most imperial force un earth, aui
God has 50 dccrrcd IL. Blu, mind is a sub
icct of growth through cultivation. IL,
essence j. the same AT all tunes and ia all
persons; but lis quality and quantity are to
be developed 10y attention To- the laws Of
mental growth.
In mpuIrchrl governments learning J,
Is much as possible confined to the ruling
circle; but in republican governments thu
whole people constitute the ruling circle,
and learning j. cqualiLcd and distributed
among the whole people by the comm
school system. This is the rule and the cN-
clu-ion of colorrd people from tho common
benefits of our public schools j. an cycop-
ton, not IN the uatur" of the common -chpy.
system, but rather an appcndage To It,
founded on prejudice and ari-tocraCy fpi-
cign aud hostile to Rrpuhlicani,m. But
tins exception is 50 universally applied ia
our cities that the colorcd people are pract
Caily shut ont from the common school -y,-
tenn.
Constitutional amendments and State cyI
rights bills assert the right of all citizens ..
enjoy the benefits OF the nations in-tIts.
tIVna reared for the good OF the nation bY'
public opinion in certain sections nul,.tr,
the law or prevents it. practical operation,
according 10 its purpose. That public Dpil.
ion j. not based on reason, and reason there
fore cannot affect it, Even 10 the ,.t, ~
brooklyn logic has no more effect on some %
the NOR" prrluiiccd members Of the EytrI
Of Education than the ordinary bark o.
dog. They are imp-ryiJu- To- rca,yu. il
tn" mean time the cpIorod people must be-
educated or ever be the M iil.py tool, aud
victims Of prejudice and O.trICi-m n Cau,-
10 as yitriol, and as FAR removed from i...t...
a7 Hell i from Heaven. Any adgIuceu..l.
they may make, founded % ANYTHING pa; .a
trlii-cncc, = au elevation from which ,.r.
"A! certainly fall r. is waikiki. Oh -l..,-.
30, il $50 a. co!'rai pa,p,r you'd 30 ".,.,
let a. look 10 Our ,eA,,.s, the ejgrIt.Ju By.
children IT, iHr -r!r.-r o.. ANS FI- real .r.H