Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-10-29
THE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION TO EDUCA

II the Democratic Legislatures had passed the
bills which they at different times considered,
for the improvement of sthe public school sys-
tenn, they would have removed the cause for
popular criticism on that account But this
they did not choose to do. At the last session,
bill carefully drawn providing for the reorgani-
zation Of the system and keeping the coored
and white children not only in separate schools
but even under separate commissioners, was
introduced in the House by Mr.. Hickman, DEM
ocrat, of Sussex, but after protracted delay
was defeated, SIS all previous measures of the
kind had been. The Legislature once more put
itself upon record as opposed to improving the
schools and opposed to the provision of any bet
ter or more effective system of public edLca-
ton.
Now this was the Legislatures own choice,
acting for itself, and as the representative of
the Democratic party that elected it, The
antagonsm to education was position volun-
tariy assumed. 1t was preference which it
made for itself and its party, and we are obliged
to presume that it deliberately chose that course.
What then, have we to expect from another
Legislature of the same sort Will we not have
the same opposition TO Education-the same re-
fusal to pass any law which will improve the
schools =?
This expectation that another Democratic Leg
stature would be still opposed to Education is
confirmed, unfortunately by all the related evil
dence. Mr.. Bayard's contempt for universal ed
uoation, and the success with which he has thus
far grated his grandfathers Federalistc notions
upon the Democratic party in this State, make ii
,,laiu tltat u-i11 maintain tla ~ hi.
influence, the present policy, and that so long as
amajority of Democrats sit in the Legislature
there will be no better schools no better oppor-
tunity of education for the children of the State
For the sake of party success, ignorance is to b'
fostered rather than intelligence, and tina
time is to be hastened when it shall be conclud
ed, in the language of MI. Bayard, that ''you
system of universal education is injudcious an,
unreasonable"
There is no proposition of educational reform
in the Democratic platform. There il none OF
the lips of the Democratic speakers. The
stand by the record of their Legislatures, am
support the Federalist theories of Mr.. Bayard
They mean that education shall be granted tn
few who can pay for it, but that it shall be de
MED the mass Of the people. Ia this the polio
WnlcH lne FOJerS VI DelhWaIe approve! Ii IL 1t
let them vote the Democratic ticket. If it
not, then every vote cast for that ticket is
mistake, a blow against their own interests,
shaft leveled at the intelligence, honor an
prosperity of the State. There should be
Legislature elected on next Tuesday one
whose first objects would be the judicior
amendment Of the school system, and wlicl
upon no consideration would adjourn until
had accomplished that duty. Good schools wi
keep those people in Delaware who reno,
to other States to educate their chi
dren. Good schools will bring people into De
aware to invest in and improve the lands offere
for sale. Good schools will thus relieve IL
farmers in Kent and Sussex county, and pr
mote the general prosperity of tho State, besd
rendering to the rising generation that seryi,
which it is the duty of the community to rende
which il alike Democratic, wise and beneficen
in spite of the false theories of selfish and ari
tocratic doctrinairee.