Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-02
A DEMOCRATIC OPINION OF MIXED
SCHOOLS.

DCHOOLc'
The democratic papers are nearly unan-
imous in attributing the troubles in the
South largely to attempts to establish
mixed schools for whites and blacks. But
the Boston Herald, which takes more en-
lightened and humane view of matters in
the South than the most of its party, ex-
poses the humbug about mixed schools in
recent editorial. 1t grants there is OPP
nosition on the mart of the old
masters to schools, but this is because they
would like to keep the negroes ignorant
and have the old state of things return.
1t also denies that the object in establishing
such schools is to humliate the whites.
The close of the article is as follows: at
sis said, but not truthfully, that the OBJ
eject of the supporters of mixed schools is
"to vex and humiliate the Southern whites
"in that respect in which they are most
sensitive. Rather more truly might it
abe said that the real purpose is to put all
1.-THE tinted skins with the fair, on an
equality. as they are here in Massachu-
"setts; to open the school doors to all
"children, irrespective of color and re-
"ligious belief. When in one section of
"this Union we permit one class to set
"aside with contempt another on account
"of complexion, we certainly so far to-
ward justifying the isolation in other
"sections of children on account of re-
''ligious prejudices. The office of the re-
'public is to soften differences. not to
"create them, and upon our fidelity to
THAT its stability depends SO that,
"though we would not willingly offend
1.-the sensibilities of the Southern gentry.
ave would do equal and exact instice to
call"
Such words as these from democratic
source are especially valuable at this time
when jeff Davis. the Ku-Klux klans, White
Leagues, and the democratic organization
are enlisted against the colored race. 1t
shows that there ale democrats in the
North who will not endorse the course of
their party towards the blacks. If such
democrats would only dare to speak out
as the Herald does, their numbers and
strength are sufficient to put an end to
Kn-Kluxism forever. 1t is only because
of the support which the ku-KluX receive
from papers like the Argus and the Maine
Standard. and the endorsement the can
didates they sustain receive at the polls
that the Ku-Klux are kept alive. Once
let it be understood that the democrats OF
the North would not countenance or apol-
ogize for the acts of the Ku.klux, and the
institution would be abandoned immedi-
ately. But as long as democrats will vote
for members of Congress pledged to OPP
pose the civil rights bill. as are all the
democratic candidates in Maine from Bion
Bradbury down, the ku-Klux will flourish
under some name, and the blacks will be
hunted and oppressed wherever their own
good right arms are not able to defend
them Will the democrats of Maine give
their influence in favor of Ku- nluxism by
voting for Titcomb and the democratic
candidates for Congress, or will they not
rather cast their influences against the
bloody and barbarous measures employed
against the negroes by voting for Dngley
and the republican candidates for Cor
gress