New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-06-04
Opposition 60 Mixed Schools; or
Prejudice Sy.sf,Ou! Foundation.


Prejudice yv.sI,OM. Foundation.
Z" he Editor Of TIE Map Et.ioau Era:
In view Of the fact that the "head AM
front Of the offending of the passage of Tho
Supplementary Civil Rights Bill by the Senate
OF the United States, aud its probable pas
sage by the House of Representatives, is the
school clause, which enioins any distinction
being made against the education of the chill.
drcn of all citizens on account of color, race,
NC, it is my purpose to lay before an impa,
tial public the unfounded prejudice used
against the bill.
recognize the right of individuals, how
ever numerous, in their natural and civil
capacity, to express a prejudice to things
persons, and public policy, and the right Of
Others, when this prejudice is publicly eX
pressed to criticisc it from a standpoint of a
valid foundation, Or to disregard it when
having no foundation. This right l con
cedc to individuals, but can conceive moth.
ing more foreign to the legislator, Judge
or iuryman, or any other public officer in the
administration of justice.
The objection to the school clause does
not lie in the mind of any Congressman as
regards color or race. No such reflection
should be entertained. But it is possible
that coalition may be the honest conviction
of many against the school clause Let Il.
examine this, and, if we are found wanting
let us, as individuals, Gown up" 1t is true
that a large number of colOred children, sons
and daughters of the poorest class of col
orcd citizens, attend school worse clad than
their confreres, the white children; some
are unclean in person, and from wan
of better association are morally unfit to
associate in public school with like mum
Der OF white children, well clad, clean il
person and Of good morals. But is il no
equally true that 4 large number of white
children attend public schools worse clad b,
far than the same number of colOred chill
drcn, ana are unclean in person and O
bad morals, because OF the absence at home
OF good association: Then, so far as condi
race. Then, where will You place your line
of distinction to be reasonably prejudice, i
such a thing there can be: I affirm that
have seen in colored and white schools, re-
spectivcly, children who, if the right of adj
mission could be based on condition or morals
ought to he denied admission. And, while
| do not court controversy, l suggest tina
there is no white nor colored public schoo
teacher in the United States who can success
fully deny this. Then, while i am so fa
white, though black, TO recognize a prefer
ence in the condition Of associates in schools
| fail to see the just reason, or ntelli
gence, of discriminating on account O
color; and moreover, why this cry agains
color? Do not Congressional sciOns, in OPP
position to this bill, know that Virgil says
"QnamriS lie niger-qwamcis IN canailas esses
o fo5mose puer, RimiHm ne crcde c0iori, .1lbt
Hg"sirn caiHm; rGccina nigra iegnntar"
Virgil Ecloguc, I'D Although he is black
and although those art white, Oh, fair boy, thu
white rrivet flowers drop and are neglected
the tlu>ky hyacinths are gathered.
Then the objection to color is neither just
wise, nor cxpehent, and since the objection
10 condition is found in each race, | fail tC
see the ground of objection at all, Ifcolore,
children attend school dirty, so do white one!
-ifpoorly clad, so do white Oncs-f not o
good morals, so are white ones, and by rea
son of number, the white are in excess of al
these evils, even though found in part. This
may not just suit, but isn't it true
Gentlemen Of Congress, you who arc
prejudiced against the bill, your prejudice is
without foundation, and should be disregard.
cd by an honest public and an impartial leg
slative tribunal. State your objection and
prove that it is impartial, and You may gain
ground.
In addition to objection, there is a great
amount of divnaton. Some say the Presi.
dent will veto the bill. don't believe it.
Will the hero Of Vicksburg and AppomattoN
knowing no fear in the conflict of arms,
nor cxpediency in defence of his country's
honor-shrink at meeting semi-popular
prejudice against the best interests of the
country: viii he who has appointed cOloret
consuls, post-mastcrs, co,ored ministers OF
State abroad, and q colorel clerk of 4 foreign
legation, even at the court at Paris
shrink from doing justice to a race because
of some unfounded prejudice: This is moi
my confidence in our President whose record
is singularly Incompatible. Then, is it just
to citizens Of Il common country. Others say
mixed schools will destroy the school system
in the South. Why in the South: Are no
Gods people in the South as well rs the
North? If not, some friend tell me. pur
pose going South one OF these days. Wa:
not similar argument brought against the
emancipation of the slaves, their privileges
to ride in the street-cars, and all other piece
meal enjoyment of equal rights. But fa'
above all these things, is it not true that
mixed schools will do more to cement the
common interests Of the white and colOret
citizens of the South than anything else:
hail it as the abrogator of civil dissensions
race distinctions, separate interests OF cltl
zens Of common country. 1t is the inau
curator of good will by all men, to all men.
If the divided white citizenis willing at some
cost to "shake hands across the bloody
chasm" of political prejudice, will he moi
join in wiping out caste distinction from the
brow of his country-a stain which soils hel