New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-09-18
Can the Gov eminent Afford Sepn.
rate schools.

No intelligent man will deny that the per-
petuity OF our free institutions, and the power
and grandeur of our natural Government,
depends much and perhaps entirely upon the
maintenance Of our public school system.
Prior to the reimbursement of the cOlored
people it mattered little with the Govern
ment whether they were educated or igno-
rant; but now, as clients of the Government,
clothed with the same power; all agree that
they must be educated.
Now comes the perplexing question
"How?" The time-serving politicians say
separate schools. The philanthropist and
wise statesmen say, lone Government, one
school," to which the dcmagogue answers,
Negro equality"
Now as to the first proposition, it presents
upon its face policy which if nurScd would
be subversive of the principles of Democracy.
Already grOaning under great national
debt, the people burdened by heavy taxes,
politicians crying reform and rctrcnChmcnt,
they seek to overburden the people with an
additional tax to maintain a separate school
for cOlored children, while the schools in ex-
istence are sufficient to educate all the
children of all nationalities, one single eX-
ample will sufficiently satisfy any one whose
calibre will enable him to demonstrate a
mathematical problem. Take any district
composed Of forty children, equally divided.
Thrown into ono schOol-housc, say Of the
value of 5000, can be easily taught by one
teacher at salary Of 300 to $500 per
annum; but divide this school, putting the
whites in one school-housc at the value above
named and the colored in another at the Same
cost, and you have just doubled your cxpcn
ses for school purposes and hence doubled
your taxes. And aside from the financial
burdens experienced by separate schools, it
tends to heighten prejudice and kindlc alive
hatred between the black and white race
which is still more dangerous to the Govern
ment. As to the second proposition we fail
to see any tangible objection. We live in
one common country, use the same estab-
lished currency, vote in the same ballot-bOX,
plead at the same bar, are sent to the same
Jail or penitentiary, go 10 the same hell or
heaven when dead, and we see no reason
why we cannot go to the same schoOl-toO
frivolous the objection, we fail to see its
foundation.
In those schools in the North where all
enjoy the same school privileges, we find less
amalgamation than in those districts where
the line Of prescription has been drawn, and
fewer illegitimate children of color, whose
fathers are white men, and to those time
serving politicians, whose only objection to
mixed schools is the fear that the little COL
ored children would be imposed upon, we
would say we notice white and cOlOred
children play on the street together, eat
together, and, in many instances, sleep
together, and we notice there seems to be a
general friendly intercourse between them.
And not till they are older and the line Of
prescription drawn BY separating them and
educating them in geparate schools do they
realize there Is q difference between the white
and black
But this is oniy question OF time, and we
must abide it. We hope those reformers
will see that the burden OF taxation cannot
be lightened By supporting mixed schools. 49,
I0uisciHe Planet.