New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-12-18

special lessons. and BY professional teacher.
;his important branch was tried in all the
schools here in 1871, but for some cause was
abandoned, and has not since been re-
sumed.
The grade of our colorcd schools, AMI the
facilities for study and recitation, are the
same as in the other schools, with the excep-
ton Of German, which is taught in but one
OF the colorcd schools the one in West Kan
sas- which, being held IN part of the main
school building for the whites, come rndcr
the jurisdiction Of the same PRINCIPAL. and.
as a matter Of course, receives the same at
ten.ion and care.
This movement We regarded as the next
thing TO mixed schools. Much trouble was
contemplated when the matter was sprung
by the board. Every one looked for 4 iuvc-
nile war Of races, wherein numbers alone
would decide the question of rights and priv
heges. so, to make the matter appear as
d'a'nf as possible, a portion of the play
ground was n,losed especially for colored
children, and a colorcd teacher placed over
them, thus making it virtually separate
school.
Still, as | have Just remarked, we looked
upon the matter as a heavy blow to the bar
Tier between us and the whites as a step
upward out Of degradation out OF the foolish
ostracism where prejudice had placed us and
bid us remain. AS revolutions never 90
backward, the next step upward will be more
easy and natural. Every inch gained Is so
much in favor Of mixed schools entire.
may add that this school, instead Of
proving stigma and disgrace to the school
proper, enjoys the reputation of being the
most orderly, best conducted school in the
building. Mrs. Annie NJ. Wilson, late of
Xenia, Ohio, presides as instructress.
At first considerable prejudice was mani
fest against schools for colored people. The
rich did not like being taxed for their sup
port, nor to see them in operation after they
were established. Their fine sensibilities
were offended at the sight of colored boy
or girl with sachel and books. 1t was
| sign of progress in a direction where they
had been unaccustomed to lock, change
from the old to the new, from the possible
to the real, for which they were unpre-
pared. Consequently, a strenuous remon-
STRANGE was kept up for :. time against the
location of a school building for colOred chill
dren in q central and eligible locality The
| persistence of the School Board in lcvying a
tax for that purpose was met by counter
movement to Dust its members from official
| oil orl In
Failing in this, the Democratic sheriff, as
collector Of taxes for State and county, re-
| fused to deliver the funds in his possession
| to the treasurer of the board, thus causing
delay, vexation, and wellnigh disaster to the
whole school system Of the city.
An incident in the experience Of your cor
respondent will better illustrate the anmus
of the Conservative element in the outset
against colorcd schools.
About the time the above occurrences were
transpring he had occasion to visit one Of
the ward schools with a view to noting dis
cipline and methods Of teaching. Entering
the room of the principal, he was politely
afforded opportunity of satisfying his Curl
! osity upon matters connected with his visit
But the news got current that he had been
treated as Il visitor! That q "dirty, ragged
niger had been permitted to examine "a
falsehood, of course,) classes in the First
Ward SCHOOL," The Times, of this city, at
that time bitter rebel sheet, suggested that
the principal be given good cowhiding,
adding that there were men in town who
could be easily found to administer the severe
castigation. a delegation waited upon his
honor, the Mayor, for redress. That wor-
| thy (?) functionary, true to his prejudiced
instincts and misguided teachings, summoned
the principal aforesaid, with the Superntend-
ent Of the Schools, to his august presence
and e:.torted a promise from the twain to
take care that the like occur never again.
Was there ever such contemplate mean
ness? But better feeling now exists. l
90 into the same school, or into any other
school in the city, and am made welcome
and kindly treated, with no unpleasant COM
plimcnts following from the city papers.
The Times has long since changed its tactics
and become my earnest friend, and stron:
advocate of free schools for the people, ire
spective of condition or race. Tired of an
unequal contest, which made it the laughing
stock of all liberal-minded persons, the paper
and its party, in their opposition to colored
schools, initiated the historic Charles, who,
"With twenty thousand men,
Marched up hill,
And then marched dowa again"
Yours for progress,
j. DALLAS BOWSER.