New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-04-24
Common SchOOlS.

1t is to be expected that this journal is in
terested in the schools Of this District, and
especially that it will at all times watch OPP
portunities to advance the fortunes Of the
colored people in this regard.
If any really need the best educational Ia
cilities, surely it is safe to assert that the
common schools, more than any other single
means, have contributed TO the greatness and
strength Of the American people.
In these schools, conducted according to
the most improved and vigorous systems,
lies the destiny OF this country. They are
the great manufactures of American citizens.
They should, therefore, be adapted to the
work of making us one great people.
Now, that the Legislative Assembly Is
about to convene, we desire to call attention
to the anomalous condition Of school inter-
ests in this District.
We have two separate systems OF schools
for white and colored children, governed by
two boards of education, with all the ma
chinery incident thereto. The spirit moves
us to inquire why this separation. The I'M
masked reason for it is the foundation OF our
objection, viz, erclusion on account Of color.
While the system exists, oar children are
daily learning well the degrading lesson
of exclusion. Quick as others to perceive
wrong and insult offered their God-given
images: stirred hourly by indignation and
resentment, they are most happily condi-
toned for moral and intellectual develop
mcnt. On the other hand, in the hearts of
the white children Of the country, inflated
from the beginning with an odiOus feeling OF
superiority on account of the discrimination,
American prejudice is iostered and nour-
ished. These children. preparing under the
influence Of earnest Christian civilization,
Immediately for prosperous life in this world,
and ultimately for happy eternity, will be
compelled to unlearn many things ere they
reach that state. Like Ginx's baby, it were
better were they all thrown over the bridge
while Young. In the interest, therefore, of
the highest good of the youth OF our nation,
we ask our District Legislators to abolish the
discrimination.
In the Northern and Eastern cities, where
the question has been carefully considered,
and where prevail the wisdom and experience
of Our greatest educators, the presidents
are against odious discrimination in the COM
mon schools. Last week the city of Albany,
New York, was added to the list, its board
of trustees having voted to admit all children
to the schools without discrimination.
The colored people Of this District, in max
ing an appeal last year for common schools,
were met with the objection, that there was
no authority TO abolish the discrimination.
When similar efforts were made before Con-
gress during the last session, it was repeat
edly asserted by those who understood the
purposes Of the organic act, that the Legis-
la1ve Assembly has complete control Of the
school system Of the District. Then, We
call upon our legislators to act promptly and
faithfully in wiping out this last vestige OF
slavery. At least arrange SO that the coll
ored members Of the Legislative Assembly,
the distinguished colored officers OF the Dis
trict government, the able coiored member
Of the Board Of Health, and the members OF
the new Board of Trustees shall not be NOR
tilted BY the feeling that their children, fo-
no good reason, are excluded from the rights,
privileges, and facilities accorded the chill
dren of other worthy citizens. With this in
timation that we are not asleep on this sub
ject, we rest for the present.