Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-09-30
Nero Notions.

The average capacity OF the eoiored
student is. To say the least, July equal to
that OF the white pupils in Northern COM
mon schools, and often scemS 10 exceed
il when the immense difference in their
starting points is considered. Their
almost entire wan, OF sny capital oil
general information Is a disadvantage
difficult 10 estimate. They have, Indeed,
picked up broken bits oi knowledge
behind their masters chairs, and one Is
constantly surprised both 10y what they
know and what they do roI know. For
example, after hearing a bright boy IN
your reading class express the opinion
that the first Napoleon WAS an Indian
chief. and Shakespeare a Russian general.
il is somewhat startling to iiud him init.
male win the oracle OF Delphi, and able
TO tell what i, meant by Fdbiaa policy.
| found 1t difficult 10 explain OF remove u
general impression that the British fought
rs in the Revolution 10 abolish slavery.
Washington is regarded with suspicion
because 30 was "a slHSe holder. and in
strong confirmation of their distru>t, ]
was repeatedly assured that AL his stat
u,es represented him stretching his hand
southwark and saying in the inscription
beneath, send all the ncgroe, south. -
| did what could Tor the Father ol his
Country. bat mover attempted the ungra
cious and futile task Of shaking the faith,
inspired by gratitude, in the sanity virtues
of General Butler.
As people, the negroes are fond Of
social organizations and combinations,
aud without the most general cnlish,cn-
meut Iii, peculiarly will place them and
the whole south at the mercy Of unprin.
cipled leaders. Not to tell too many
tales out OF school. can find no more
amusing illustration OF this lUudncss and
at the same time. OF their curious igno.
rance OF Eng,.h. and delight in lis largest
words. lhlu la the books "i the Freed
mans Bank OF Norlol6 Two hundred
societies Of freedmen have deposited
money there. some of them having excel
lent objects ol mutual benefit But per.
haps the very intelligent reader" vii!
find The names sufficiently descriptive and
| will give few. Among the Two hun.
dled are The Wandering Pilgrims, Noble
Sons of Israel. Rising Stars vi Jerusalem,
Enterprising Daughters of GAli.cc. Sons
Of Simeon. Benevolent Daughters OF
Noah, Eveuiu. Star Tabcruacle', CORN
THAN Trareliug Sons uHd Daughters u
ColsHiu! Laboring Sons of Stars, Union
Doves Ohese doves" being old men OF
sixty briei summers). Loving Sons OF
Levi, Rising Daughters OF italian, Hum
bic Sons OF God, Love Lodge OF Good
Samarilsns. Independent Sons and Daugh'
tiers of St. Paul. Sons and Daughters Of
the Silver Keys, Seven Wise Men OF
Portsmouth. Female Israeliies of Ports
mouth. Wrestling Sons and Daughters OF
Jacob.
One OF the most striking signs of the
students progress is the rapid moderation
of such extravagancics n these, which
they regard as the clin2ng rags OF
slavery, and put off as soon rs possible.
The pupils Of northern scminaries might
often take q lesson from the pains with
which these colorcd student. correct their
own rough speech, and put into imme'
diaie use the lessons OF the class room.
HELEN w. LUDLOW, in HUper'S Mag
n-ine flr Ocl0Lcr.