The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-06-26


The radical papers Of the State, without
exception, and even some Of the well inten-
toned but uniformed democratic journals
are complaining Of the repeal Of the old
school law and the adoption Of the new one.
The radicals represent the change as a
deadly blow to the cause of education in
this State, and cite it as evidence Of the
hostility Of democracy to the general en-
Hghtenment Of the people. There is no
truth in this. Democracy is founded on the
assumption that the people are sufficiently
instructed and enlightened to govern them
selves, and It has ever been the effort Of its
leaders to make them so. The democ-
racy Of Texas are in favor Of a judicious
practical system oflcommon free schools, as
one of the great means of preparing the
people for the proper exercise Of uni
versal suffrage, which, whether wisely
or not, has been established by c0nstitu-
tiOnal law, ard is likely to be continued.
But the old school law, enacted by the Rad
icals, was not such as met the approval Of
the democracy or of our people generally.
1t was wrong as whole and particularly
bad in many or its details. 1t was too ex-
pensive and too great burden on the peo-
pie at this time, when they are but just re-
covering from the disasters of the late civil
war. There was too much machinery about
it, there were too many irresponsible Off
cials, it was too much removed from the
observation of the people and too much in
the hands of the Governor and his ap-
pointees, to be at all satisfactory to the
property and taxpayers. 1t was,
in fact, under the pretense of good pur-
pose, a cunningly devised scheme to aid in
keeping the radicals in Office, and to enable
them to plunder at will, and grow rich out
of the hard earnings of an industrious people.
They, with loud voice, demanded itsrepeal,
and their faithful representatives in the Thir-
teenth Legislature repealed it. 1t is no
wonder that the men, who were profting
by its continuance, should howl over its
death and burial. 1t is a feeling loss to
them, and their groans and tears are quite
natural.
But why should any honest democrats
complain of the new lawl We have read
it over two or three times, and think well
of it, as a plain, practical system, suitable
to our present condition. It will do very
well 20 start on, and we can see how it
works, and amend it from time to time, if
needful. It will not be very expensive, it
leaves it where it ought to be, under the su-
pervision and control of the people,
through their elected agents, and it is well
guarded, so as to prevent the school finds
from being stolen or perverted from their
noble use. The only specious objection,
urged against it, is that it does not provide
for keeping up the free schools long enough
during the year. We think it does
1t is as much as we can bear at present
And here let us say, that four months
schooling in year is no mean thing, to be
secuted and hooted at The writer of this
article knew something of common schools
at the North, when boy. He was glad to
get three months schooling of year under
the common school system Of Vermont,
where he got the most of the education he
has. The balance of the year he worked,
as boys, white and black, ought to work
here, when their parents are not rich
enough to support them in idlencss. We
doubt very much whether continued, unin-
terrupted schooling is advantageous-it is
apt to become irksome and consequently
Improbable. Certain it is, that the white
property holders of this State are not bound
to keep the lazy children of the negroes at
school alf the year round, when, for their
own good, they should be kept at
work a greater portion of the time. To
raise them up in idleness, with bad habits,
acquired thereby, is worse than leaving
them in ignorance. They must have some
thing more than mere A, B, G, education.
They must be taught morals and manners,
and to work and earn their daily bread as
Southern white men have to do and are now
not above doing. The Sunday Schools, if
properly managed, can do much of this good
work, and should be encouraged by all
people, whether religious or not. We say
then again, that four months schooling dur
ing the year, as general thing, will do very
well as beginning. In many places the
fund will be sufficient to have more than
this, and after awhile, with the increase of
the fund and the increase of our popula-
tion, we|shall be able to extend the time all
over the State. Let then the interested
radicals cease their howlings over the new
school law, and the few democrats, who are
complaining, learn little common sense
and common prudence, and they too will
hush up and help to carry the law out as it
is, and as the best that our present circum-
stances will allow.