New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-30

II, because, at the outset, there are some
things no legislation can regulate. What
induced the people to take up arms agains.
George llI.l Let them stop and think of
that. Would it have been sufficient an
swer to our forefathers of l776, and to the
people of Boston when they threw the tea
into the harbor to be told there was an act
OF Parliament compelling the collection of
the tax? Would that have satisfied them!
Men who attempt to interfere with the ley
islation of God are certainly not fit to ad-
wise the people.
President Phillips announced that the
Rev. DIR. Palmer had been expected to
speak, but had been unable, and the follow
ing letter was read by Secretary Collens:
New ORLEANS, September 25, 1875.
Messrs P. n. Baker, Z. Phillips, C. +. Buck and R.
II. MaIr.
GENTLEMES-l am sorry that do not see
my way clear to comply with your request
to address the meeting to night. which is
called to dtnOunce the recent School Board
outrage. IL is true the subject is not prop
erly political. 1t may and should be dis
cussed simply as one OF social order and
propriety. But as the obnoxious policy in.
tended to be rebuked has been inaugurated
tor purely political ends by the partlsans of
faction, it would be difficult to speak upon
it without skirting at least the edge of poll
tics. from which l desire particularly to re-
frain. l can not think this will be any
serious loss to you, as there are SO many
gentle men competent to deal with the issue
who are free from the embarrassments uu-
der which l lie.
There is one broad view of the case, how.
ever, under which it should be ruled, viz:
That no school system can flourish which is
not rooted in the public confidence. After
the parent, the teacher stands nearest to
the fountains of youthful life. 1t is trust
of the most delicate and sacred kind and
should be committed to none whose charac.
ter does not challenge the warmest ap-
proval 1t is not enough that the teacher
shc-.d rcs:ccc sd .aSc
OF imparting it. These technical qualiica-
tions are no doubt indispensable, but lying
entirely back Of these is personal charac-
ter. do not mean by this mere outward
morality or freedom from vice, but the pos
session of all those high attributes which
distinguish the gentleman. He should not
only be protected by his instincts from
whatever is mean and base, but there
should flow out from him an unconscious
and pervading influence, which, like the at.
mosphere, should be absorbed by the pupil,
and through which he shall be silently but
etfectually elevated and toned.
In regard to private schools, the parent
attends to this when he makes his selection.
But in system of public schools. the only
guarantee tor the teachers is found in the
integrity and wisdom of the appointing
power. Under our present administration
it is notorious that every guarantee needed
by the public is withdrawn. Native born
teachers, known and tried. have been dis.
placed in favor OF strangers and adventur-
ers, Tor the most part, who have little or no
stake in the community Our old citizens OF
established reputation have been retired
from the board, and their places are sup
Piled by hungry and factiOus partisans, who
can subsist only by agitation and misrule.
It's, moreover openly avOwed that the new
movements have been made as a test of the
power which they WELD, and of the degree
of patience which a suffering people NAV be
made to exhibit The whole system, there
fore, ceases 10 be a public benefit, and has
become an instrument of oppression and
wrong, against which it is proper to roll up
public ard indignant protest.
The intermixture of the races is too large
subject to be discussed in note like this.
You will please accept single hint The
human family, having single origin, has
certainly been broken into few grand
divisions, which are separated by very oh
vlOus Characters les. This distinction runs
back of all historic records. Most prob.
ably it was accomplished when the unity of
human speech was destroyed-ss part of
the same divine policy to prevent those
huSC vi Wlchtuureb WHICH
brought upon the world the judgment of
the deluge. Within these great zones the
different varieties may iDtermingle with
out Injury But all history proves that
their limits can not be crossed without con-
sequences the most disastrous. The at
tempt to amalgamate these separate races
is, therefore, public crime, and exactly
the crime which God so signally rebuked at
the tower of Babel. Fortunately this in
stinct of race, both with the black man
and with the white, is too strong for all the
agitati0ns and the schemes designed to fuse
them together.
Let all necessary facilities of education
be afforded to the colOred people among us,
in their own schools and under their own
teachers, and let every opportunity be al
lowed for their advancement in knowledge,
i'll morals and in religion. But the first
great lesson for them to learn is that they
can become historic race only by the same
method with every other race which has
achieved history at ALL viz: by process
OF development from within themselves. If
they ere incapable Ot this, no amount of ex-
ternal patronage can exalt them to historic
rank, and no man is a true friend to that
people who obscures from their view this
primary truth. The ivy may creep upon
the wall, but 1t is only parasite. The oak
of the forest grows from its own root and
butfets the storm. Respectfully yours,
b. NJ. PALMER.
President Phillips then introduced Charles
F. Buck, Esq.
Mr.. Buck said in substance: 1t was not a
matter OF ease with him to address such an
audience. For time it had seemed quiet |
and he was under apprehensions the com.
munlty was apathetic: that the last insult |
and oppression had broken the pride of the |
people. But the sea of upturned faces re- |
him the ty Wa still a.;
20 protect its families and rights Too much |
must not be expected of the meeting in a |
PRACTICAL way, but it would at least show
he people would be heard. He considered |
he constitution OF 1865 the sole ground for
he action of the board. He then gave a
esume Of the resolutions that were to be
'tfered the meeting for it's acceptance, and
lOsed with perOration.
President Phillips then called on Secre
ary Collens to read letter from Rev. Mr..
surford.
Loud calls being made for him, President
phillips then introduced Hon. Alexander
)imitry. '
Professor Dimitry said Fellow citizens
'hese are not common times, the question
hat has brought tonight SO large an assem-
lage ls not OF an ordinary character. 1t
as no bearing on questions of politics of
ocular interest to US, no bearing as a ques-
ion in primary assembage when you
elect the best and most honest men in the
lterest of public affairs. 1t is a question
hat touches the interest of the country; |
uestiOn tor every man actuated by pa
riotic heart. Thirty years ago, men, long
assed away, whose honorable careers were
larked by virtue and ability, resolved that
'ew Orleans should no longer be widowed
its public schools. That all children, from |