New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-08
Educat,sn Uader Democratic Rule.

Virginia, under Democratic rule, is fair
example OF what would be the fate Of the
public school system were this party in
control in majority of the States OF the
Union. 1t seems that the fund raised for
the support Of public schools in that State
consequence the schools are being aban-
doned for the want Of. means. The Norfolk
Day Book, commenting on this outrage,
uses the following pertinent language,
which is not only deserved, but will he
echoed by every friend of free schools the
world over. 1t says:
every man with particle of pride or
love for the State of his birth or residence
must feel deep humiliation or mortifica-
ticn at the fact that tho common schools of
CDR State are being closed up and aban-
doned, and the poor children turned out
without o chance to get an education, as
several schools in the rural districts have
already been closed up by their teachers on
intimatiOn from their friends in Richmond
that there is no money to pay them for
their services, all because the money taxed
out of the people for school purposes has
been taken, by no one knows who or by
what authority, to Pay of that portion Of II
the funding bonds which were stolen by the
officers of our State and spent with the
gamblers and brokers. What disgrace,
what q crime is this on the fair fame Of old
Virginia.
Now, we assert that such crime as this
could never happen under any other polit-
ical rule, and it is but a foretaste Of what
would be the policy in other States did the
same politics predOminate. Beside this
high handed violation Of public trust, it
affords a lair index Of the spirit that pre-
walls all over the South, and proves cOnclu-
sively that that section of the country will
never racover from it's slow growth until it's
politics pass from the control of the party
that is now prOstituting its power for self
ish and malignant purposes. After all, this
blow at free education is meant for the poor
negro. Failing to intimidate his political
convictions altogether, they resort to the
next best agency Of depriving him of an
education, and the more they can reduce
become to their wishes. Shame! shame!
upon "chivalry" that uses such weapons.
The victory they achieve will be short
lived.
Occasionally we hear of this State i'm
ploring Immigration from the Old World
to come and help develep her hidden
wealth, and give the benefit Of their in
dustry for her improvement. But what
sort of welcome could q poor emigrsnt
expect from people who close their public
schools and misapply revenues collected
for their support for speculative purposes
A civilization such as this would be poor
exchange for the desp0tsms of the mother
country.
We refer to these things in no spirit ot
opposition to the Soath, but with feelings Of
regret at the course her leaders are pursu
ing. One such outrage as the closing of the
public schools of Virginia. for the causes
named, outweiahs. in public estimation, all
the alleged malfeasance of the sOcalled
carpet bsggers, and creates an indifference
to many wrongs the South is suffering to-
day that no amount of repentance can com
pensate. A people that will deliberately
destroy the opportunities Of free education
will never help any country, but be blight
upon its progress as long rs they are al
lowed to administer its public affairs. end
with such examples as Virginia the future
Of the South is anything but encouraging
Vashingt0n Sunday Chronicle.