Wilmington journal., 1874-07-17
Dear Journal 4:

We, who have pursued a wesie eriy
course among the mountains, in search
of scenery, being 4 little weary from
our mountainous ride, stopped
few days in the quiet little village of
Hendersonville, Henderson county,
Western North Carolina, to rest aud
refresh ourselves and had our curiosity
aroused, by tho announcement that
Mr.. Thos. Il. PuTncll was to deliver
his speech to day. At 10 o'clock, the
Republican candidate for Superinten-
dent of Public Instruction made his
appearance and speaking commenced.
His principle theme Were free schools
and railroads, together with abuse OF
our friend Maj. JOS. A. Engelhard,
and in comparing his (Mr. Purnell's)
war record, as O. Confederate soIttic1.,
showing the scar, eulogizing himself
for his. excellent qualities, and per-
formances, taken from the local puffs
given him bv the Wilmington
JOURNAL and AOsning Star, after
commencing the practice of law.
He closed with denial Of ever being
Ku-klux, and yet, after branding
MIR. Mathies as O renegade from JUS
tice i'll East Tennessee, he stated that
in private conversation had with Mr..
Robert L. Gray, while at Raleigh, his
mind was enlightenejl-''Utat hc did
recOlicct Of going into an office arjt
hine and taxing on oath" That looks
very black, says an old mountaineer,
in low voice and while we also had
the same opinion, yet We could not
help thinking how BLACK he would
make things look, if the State should
go ten thousand Republican. While
Mr.. Purnell may be opposed to mixed
schools, his talk is all buncombe, SO
far as the Republican party is con-
cerned, about tho final result. The
leading politicians North are advoca-
ting it, and the people practice it. It
is done in Rhode Island and Massachu-
setts; not only mixed schools, but in
| Fall River, Mass, IN one of the high
| schools, they have q negro teacher
No, Mr.. PErnell, when such men rs
| Senator Boutwell, declare that were it
possible to establish separate schools
| for black children and for white chill
dren, it is III the highest degree mex
pedicnt to tolerate such schools
| further-that the doctrine of human
| equality can only be taught where chill
| dren of all classes and conditions are
| brought torether-amd still further.
when he boldly says-''anI inasmuch
as we have III this country four million
colored people, [ assume that it is q
public duty that they and the WHITE
people of the country with whom they
are to be associated in political and
public affairs, shall be assimilated, and
made one i'll the fundamental idea of
hnman equality. Therefore, where it
would be possible to establish distinct
schools, / am against it as n matter of
public policy"-there cannot possibly
be any doubt about the final intentions
of the Republican party, and should
the State of North Carolina give Re
publican majority at the election on
the first Thursday in August, the peo-
pie North would SO believe it, that the
State of North Carolina was in favor
of mixed schools.
1t is a fact, Mr.. Purnell. the Repub-
lican party North, do not understand
the real condition of things South, and
care less. They look upon the negro
| as poor. down-trodden race, that
| they are even better and more intelli-
gent than the laboring class there-the
Irish-and it is time such nonsense
should cease. Let every man in North
Carolina who wants good government,
desires State credit and less taxes, do
his duty on the 9th of August, and the
people North will see that we do not
intend to have or favor mixed schools.
nor any candidates who favor State
railroad schemes, while the bonds of
North Carolina are quoted at ten cents
on the dollar. Human nature is too
frail, principle is being devoured to
rapidly by interest, for the State of
North Carolina to have q young and
inexperienced Superintendent
More anon, ZETA PSI.