National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-02
COLORED SCHOOLS.
Second pistrict-PriHate Meeting

The Trustees for Colored Schools are indefati-
gable in their efforts toward making the schools
under their immediate supervision rank with any
in the country. In this laudable desire they are
deserving of the hearty cooperation OF all we'll
wishers of the colored race, for it is by and
through education that the great masses Of that
race must reach the highest place Of Intellectual
citizenship. The meeting of parents last night
was held at the "Rhees" school building, Ninth
street. between p and Q streets northwest, and
was largely attended. The meeting was
opened with prayer By Rev. Edward Green, after
which the principal of the building, Mrs. A. S.
Cary, introduced Trustee Henry johnson, who
addressed himself directly to the parents relative
TO their duties and obligations as such. He pro-
ceeded 20 state that something more was ex-
pected Of the parents than the sre sending their
children to school. 1t was their duty, he stated
TO see that their children are sent from home in
ample time to be in their seats in the schOol-rOom
promptly at the hour designated, and not detain
them by sending them on errands just at the time
they Should be on their way to the schoolrOom.
1t was furthermore their outy to see that their
children were comfortably and neatly clad, and
while some might plead poverty, they must re-
member that they have obligated themselves be-
FIRE God and man to look alter and protect their
offspring. And how better, the speaker inquired,
c5uid It be done than by educating them, SO that
they will be able to take care of themselves
Trustee johnson stated another duty devolved
upon the parent, and that was, to instilI in the
minds Of their children proper respect for all
persons, no matter what their position or station
In life may be. Politeness, the speaker said was
always found to command respect. 1t was a mis-
taken idea, the speaker said, TO suppose that i'm
pertinence, or what is termed by some forward
ness, will receive countenance from welI-thinking
people. Modesty is the jewel to be sought after
and retained. A scholar who is Iady.iike and
modest in her department will invariably i'm
press the teacher; while on the other hand, i'm
modesty, impertinence and forwardness is sure to
repel- What was in the speakers mind neces-
sary to make good and bright scholars, first was
brain, and as we were not all constituted alike
come having more talents than others, it was
manifestly evident that some scholars would ad-
vance more rapidly than others; therefore 1t was
unfair, first TO nature, and secondly to those
charged with the responsible trust of education,
for parent to accept the standard of some more
favored pupils to measure theirs by. 1t was natu-
raj, the speaker admitted, for parents generally
TO consider their children the equal OF other chill
dren; but the laws Of nature cannot be disre-
garded, especially affecting that which generally
tbsre sus ~ rad;cae cGpaeya So why Is
lawyers, doctors and divines3
The duty Of parents, Trustee Johnson said was
to do all In their power in assisting nature in de-
yeloping the latent qualities in the child, and no
better way In his judgment could It be effected
than by giving their attention to the education Of
their children, visit them in the school-room at
inquire frequently as to their progress in school;
sustain the teacher; speak kindly Of her in pres
eDce Of the child, and under no circumstance pass
harsh criticism on her In presence Of the pupil,
teacher.
Interesting and instructive remarks were made
by Kew. Mr.. Green and ex-Trustee Alfred Jones,
both OF whom spoke warmly in the cause of educs-
tlon among the colored people, and Of the work
being per ormed In that direction through the
agencies OF educated colored ladies and gentle
men. The meeting was interesting Throughout,
and was a complete success.
81 KNICKRRBoCKER SUITS TO ORDER go
A. SAKs Co, S16 Seventh street.