New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-19

| legislators as 10 place such question beyond
doubt. 1t is the school clause and the jury
clause which some good men are in doubt
about, leaving the bug-bear, social equality,
to the chronic disputants, against all Just
mcasures-the Robinses, Vances, Becks,
and IIarriscs-mcn whom it may be well to
tell what Plato says. 'Thc knowledge that
is apart from justice deserves the appellatiOn
of cunning; and that which is animated by
private interest, and not public good, de-
serves the character of audaciousness." We
do not envy these men their ability. We
would not, if we could, initiate their refine
ment, nor emulate their culture. Their argu-
nent, as Shakespeare expresses it, "speaks
an infinite deal of nothing. Their reasons
of chatf; you shall seek all day ere you find
them, and when you have them, they arc not
worth the scarch.''
No we'll organized government has ever
failed to extend jurisdiction over the educa-
ton Of its subjects. Education is so inter.
woven with the success and prosperity of a
people that all just governments see to il
that it is we'll directed to the end of public
good, public safety, and the establishment
of justice and equality. The jurisdiction of
the National Government over education in
its tendency to union or disunion, of the
highest Interest of the country, cannot be
questioned. Alexander Stephens says the
States are the streams whose confluence
makes the great ocean. True, but if the
streams arc impure, what an awfully corrupt
ocean:
Too true are the words quoted by the Hon.
S. S. Cox in his recent speech Oh civil rights.
He says: Zone of the greatest objects of
government is education" tbs "a compan-
ion which no misfortune can deprcss, no
crime can destroy, no enemy can ALLEVIATE,
no dcspOtism enslave. AT home a friend,
abroad an introduction, in solitude a solace,
and in society an ornament. 1t chastens
vice, it guides virtue, it gives at once grace
and government to genius. Without it, what
is man? A splendid slave, reasoning saw
agew
! A reasoning savage! Yes this is what
prOscriptive schools will surely make us. Our
heads shall be full of knowledge, and our
hearts saturated with hate, jealousy, and
malignant pride. Such will be the mischief
to both races.
"'Tis education forms the common mind;
Just as the twig is bent, the tree Is In
clincd."
From these words Of the poet, we may
learn this truth-that so long as we teach
prescription in our schools, so long shall we
have prOscriptive legislation, prOscrptivc in
tercsts, disuniOn in the hearts Of the blacks
and white. Is it not a matter of fear that
when we shall number our colOrcd legis-
latOrs by the lifties, which will be soon, we
shall shall find them legislating against
whites and in favor of blacks, because Of the
prescription which they and their race are
subjected to.
But this we are not by nature disposed to
do; but may acquire it by education. 1t
will be remembered that the integrity of
craftsmanship, the refined culture and hu-
name disposition of the negro, Robert b.
Elliott, lod him short time ago to vote
without reference to party or color against
the ccnsure of certain credit moblier gentle
men. Mr.. Elliott never knew the bane of a
proscriptive school education. Yet this was
fconsitiered strange.
But it has wonderful silent effect to be
soon seen. The legislation which non.
proscriptive schools will produce will be Of
greater advantage than millions of dollars as
revenue to the State. 1t is contrary to the
motto of our Government to have schools Of
distinction. 1t should be several schools
, but one in spirit and purpose, leaving for its
basis union and common advantages. Some
saw our schools arc equal, and it is false
pride to strive to enter the white schools.
answer, there is no preference in equals
and it is discreditable prejudice to create
distinctions among equals. This is discred.
table alike to head and heart. In the lam
guage of the Hon. A. j. Ransier, IN his
recent speech in Congress on civil rights
sail these people ask is an equal chance in
the race of life and the same privileges and
protection" Our schools are not equal
Our teachers are not so well trained as a
whole. The advantages they have had
would not permit and as have aforesaid
if they arc equal, that is all white schools
are in all respects equal to cOlOred schools.
and rice rersa, where is the justice of dscrim
ination among them.
ask, then, for the school-cause in the
civil rights bill because it is just, because il
; is expedient, because the interests of the
North, South, East, and West are recipro
cal; but more especially Of the colored an(
white citizens of the South. Cicero says
"We are to debar no man from the running
; stream" This great author also says tha
"there are two kinds of injustice, the frs
is that which offers an injury, the SECOND
that which has the power to remedy wrong
and vet does not do it," Let our legisla
tors calmly deliberate on these words ant
apply them.
The greatest anomaly of this nation is tina
it has been bountifully mercful to a disloya
class of people, while vigorously unjust tt
an luuOCcuC, UuL lOyiti CisiSo VI It's CltlLcIS
who contributed to its material wealth ant
prosperity from its very beginning.
, 1t has wiped the blood stains of dsloyalt,
from the brow of the most disloyal, disrobe'
him of his polluted garments OF shame ant
disgrace in the destruction Of the Union, an,
d clothed him anew in the mantle of citizen
:, ship, so that true to his nature, he may agail
! stir the placid waters of public peace no,
so triumphantly placing our Government il
/, the highest places among nations. Thu
q negro has been stigmatized as unfit for arms
!. Perfidious tongue shat can utter such false
, hood. Was there ever such scene as Fol
u Pillow save the memorable battle of Thel
Q mopylae? But time is wasted in such dis
8 cussion. Has there ever been coward wher
Liberty was the watchword-Freedom tn
4 cause?
d will now briefly advert to the jury clause
It 1t is considred by some unconstitutional.
o deem this, as do the sum of the clauses
Q the civil rights bill as prohibiting wrong
but in no wise regulating right.
% 1t is not mandatory but remedial, and Il
g State which violates no right need not pa
y any attention to the civil-rights bill. Tn,
It which repeating statute does not repeal
st leaves untouched, and if State has goC
Of civilrights bill the national bill will not efle
t. it, but ifnot let it make one to conform. I'll
', constitution declares that an impartial jul
ID shall be secured to every person ON tria
Any violation of this gives the right to Coz
l. gress to remedy the wrong, being the highe
Or Legislative tribunal of the land. The pow
r to prohibit gives the power to enforce al