New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-09-25
Education In virgiaia.

ocratic papers Of this State, we find that they
are constantly thinking about the .jucompe-
tent negro" ''the ignorant negro, and ''the
semi-ciyilized negro" &c.
To distant observer of the people Of our
state, no dnud the negro is far behind tie
white man in all that appertains to intcllec-
tual, moral and spiritual improvement but
if one could take the pains to read and thor
oughly acquaint himself with c,r internal
affairs, he will find that the previous opinion
formed with regard to our condition is a
wron. one.
Virginia has given this nation some of its
greatest men; but these great men, these
well educated men, have obtained their edu-
cation, greatness, and honor at the ntelec-
tual, moral, and social expense Of the masses
Of the people Of Virginia.
1t was in 1850 that the good people of this
aristocratic State were startled BY the report
of the census taker, in which report it was
stated that there were IL 900 white people
una bic to read or write. ~sG-
This condition Of things caused some good
feeling gentlemen to call a convention to con-
slider the subject. Finally it was agreed that
the State should Immediately bring about a
system of public education; but no sooner
was this proposition laid before the grandecs
of the ari-tocratic party in Virginia than it
was Immediately condemned.
They held that the education of the labor
ing white men of the State would ruin the
negro as well as the white man, because the
negro would think more of freedom, and the
laboring white men would not then go 10 the
polls as dumb driven CATTLE" hut as think
ing inen.
: OF course this plan was not favored by the
"Moguls," and consequently fell with the
same rspidity with which it was brought into
existence. The result is that now there are
in Virginia 10000 white people unable to
read or white.
However, Virginia has several colleges
and high schools. Among which are William
ard Mary College, Hampden. Sidney, the
State University, and Washington and Lee
University; but shall not stop to speak of
these institutions, as they belong to the upper
classes hut the wealthy enjoy this
life." ..:fs ..
Therefore, shall contine myself to the
public schools of the State.
The public school system advocated by
Northern friends was finally adopted by the
people, and inaugurated by the Virginia
State Legislature; and thus far it has worked
tolerbly well in those cities and counties in
which it has operated.
1t must be remembered that the State debt
is great-greater than the debt Of any other
State; and to keep these separate schools in
counties where there may be few whites or
few colored children will he an additional
expense: thus increasing rather than dimin-
ishing the State debt. e.. -. 1885,.
For instance, take all those counties in the
southwestern part ofthe State there are few
colored children there that it is impossible to
maintain separate schools and give equal
facilities for education to the youth of both
races. And as the constitution OF the State
guarantees schools to all classes and cOndi.
tons, the colored people have a right to de-
mand these Schools and if the educational
board say it is impossible to maintain sepa-
rate schools, than We must demand mixed
schools.
Perhaps some think that the colored peo-
pie Of the State are opposed to mixed schools.
This is not so; talk to any of our intelligent
leaders in this State, and they will tell you
plainly that this system of mixed schools is
the only system calculated to do away TO
some extent with the bitter prejudice exist
ing toward the colored man in this country.
Virginia has never been permanently under
Republican rule. The Republicans are yet
struggling to throw of the Conservative
yoke, and to place her where she should
have been wears hefore-in the Republican
ranks.
Now, in order to do this, what course
should they pursue What issue should
they make? Certainly. no reasonable man
will say advocate those measures which will
be the last that the Democrats will accept.
This is why We leave this question of mixed
schools ont Of State politics. The Lynch
burg platform. when in its original condition,
toutdiucu III
mixed school question, but this was wisely
stricken ont and why? Simply because
they did not think they could carry Virginia
with this article in their platform, because it
was not favored by the colored delegates,
and because they think this system must be
brought about by national and not by State
legislation. .s..
We may go to any Of those Northern states
where the abolition of slavery and the equal
rights of all men have been preached and
heraded from time almost immemorial, and
we will still md this opposition to mixed
schools. Charles Sumner said that it even
exists In his much beloved Massachusetts,.
Now, il it exists in the Old Bay State,
where strict adherence to the Union has ever
been The motto, what must be expected of
Virginia: Virginia, the cradle Of slavery !;
Virginia, that worships the dead body Of
Lee, the name Of Stonewall Jackson, and
the cause of the Southern Confederacy:
Yes, the colored people Of this State are a
unit for mixed schools; but at the same time
they believe that the obtaining Of them must
come through the National Congress.
~ 0l;var Tv,.t asted for pnnra urY,sI an