Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-10-28
-E-5s-Ay. c..--.-Ea g. .s-5,
The School Question.

Although there i, no evidence to confirm
toe assertion OF a leading Republican pa
pr that. but for the interest aroused by the
dangers Threatened to the public schools Of
OAla. the Republicans 10 that State would
A4Yc been defeated by 10000 majority. 1t
docs appear that this question was much
more potential over the result of the cleo
;iau than was generally supposed at first.
The RETAINS show that the largest Republi-
can vote was generally brought out where
tie most interest was ielt in this question.
TINS Wa> particularly tue in the northern
part oi the state. IL i noteworthy that
GOV. Hayes, whose good judgment As a
practical campaigBer has been amply vim
Dictated in more than one popular contest,
PAID particular attention in his speeches 10
this issue. A further evidence of the strong
hold il had taken upon the public mind Va,
furnished by the numerous NOTICES. de-
vices and trausparencie> reiat.u. TO il
which were borne at Republican gather
ius> where, IN many instances. no such al
IG>ions were made to the financial ques-
t.Ju. We may infer therefore, that there
was q good deal Of human nature ia Scna-
tor ihurm4u'> outbur-t against p-ie>tly IN
trrmcddiirg ia the politics Of Ohio. and
tai the effect Of such Interference WAS 10
insure the Republican victory. \ like yer
diet has also been rendered ia New jersey
where. a. the issue was more marked. the
result Mas NOR, decisive w may hope.
therefore, that tie attach on the American
school system made under the auspices Of
the Northern Democracy la, failed utterly
for The present.
At the south. however. the same danger,
originating IRON other motives but wagcd
through the same political party, appears
much more .meuaciug. one OF lie most
certain development. Of Democratic >u-
IremAry ia the southern State, las been
t4o uutctopp.uG &c hostility 10 the public
schools. IL takes the form OF white tax
Ityet- bcErulging their money FOR the ed
urat.-u Of coloreI children. Il j. true the
c',Jrci mea contribute ia precisely the
-4mr ratio according 10 their means. which
are steadily increasing from year 10 year,
and the evils 81 ignorance in the commu-
uty are not al all qualified or limited bv
taa color of those thus suffered to-2row up
d neglect, still. the white Democrat would
rather involve his own children in depri
Walton of school privileges than pay Ai,
share for The education OF the whole CON-
muH.,y. It has proves 30 in Arkansas and
il Texas. and now the new constitution OF
Alabama accoinplishcs substantially the
same result by limiting taxation in such q
way that the public school system will be
practically abolished for waut.of support.
There Is no question that this result was
intended. Aud yet when the carpet-bag-
ger, of 50. Carolina laid their hands on the
school fund OF the State there was a fierce
Dem. cutlery. 1t was supposed TO be ow-
ing. To. only to hatred Of speculation but
to zeal in behalf Of educational interests :;
0ut when the Democracy in other South
ern States refuse to have any school fund,
and deliberately subject the young to a life
OF Ignorance and degradation. the Demo-
cratic press Is silent.
There must be something more than a
mere eventual coincidence between such
facts a. these. Does Democracy mean a
reaction against emil shienmeut civilization 4:
Does the party protesting IL care more for
political support 90 the shape 81 priesiiy
favor than for culiiv4tiHg the gratitude "l
those who mav be trained up 10 good ii-
1eu.hiP through universal aud weii-ad-
ndui>Jered system of public education !:
However ih4t may be. j., j. certain that
wherever tIe Republican party obtain.
sway it Plans the school aud opens it,
door, % al. without. "a. the Fifteenth
Amendment; says. distinction Of color. race
or previous condition OF seryitude. II
wants no success save that which is COM
paiible with Intelligence and progress.